Christmas is a season of warmth, togetherness, and creating warm and fuzzy traditions that become treasured memories. One of the most magical places to make those memories with bub? The kitchen.
There’s definitely something extra magical about the kitchen at Christmas time! The cosy smells, the festive colours, the sound of little feet pattering in to see what’s cooking. Toddlers love being part of the action, and the holidays are the perfect opportunity to slow down and let them explore, learn, and help in safe and meaningful ways.
With a few simple tweaks, your kitchen can become a place of connection, confidence-building, and beautiful memories plus a chance to gently teach bub about nutrition in a way that feels simple and fun!
Here are 5 simple, safe, and joy-filled ways to bring your little one into the kitchen this festive season!
1. Fruit & Veggie Washing: The Perfect First Job!
Standing at the sink with a bowl of colourful fruit or veggies is a sensory delight for toddlers.
Toddlers adore water play, so give them a bowl of Christmas-coloured fruits and veggies to rinse: berries, grapes, cucumbers, carrots, capsicums, or anything bright and seasonal.
Not only is this safe and engaging, but it’s also a wonderful moment to sprinkle in nutrition learning:
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“Grapes help your body stay strong and healthy.”
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“Orange veggies help our eyes stay healthy for spotting Santa’s sleigh!”
This simple task builds independence while grounding them in a positive, joyful attitude toward whole foods.
2. Rolling, Mashing, Mixing & Pouring: Messy Magic
One of the easiest ways to involve toddlers is by giving them soft, safe ingredients to roll, mix, mash or add. These ingredients are easy for bub to handle!
Little hands love to:
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mix batter in a big bowl
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sprinkle ingredients into a bowl e.g. oats or flour
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pour pre-measured ingredients into a bowl e.g. softened dried fruit in yoghurt
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mash soft foods like banana or avocado with a fork
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help roll the dough.
It doesn’t matter if it gets messy, the mess is part of the memory.
This a perfect time to gently teach bub about nutrition:
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“Oats give us lots of energy for playing and dancing.”
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“Bananas make our tummies feel comfy and happy.”
You’re teaching them what food does for their little body in a way that is simple and natural.
3. Decorating Christmas Treats: Creativity Meets Nutrition
Toddlers love decorating, and Christmas gives you endless opportunities. Offer child-safe “decorations” like shredded coconut (snow!), soft berries, chia seeds, cinnamon, banana slices, or tiny-cut fruit pieces. This is also a great time to have fun using differently-shaped cookie cutters to create magical and seasonal shapes out of dough!
As they decorate, talk about the colours, textures, and benefits:
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“Coconut gives our brains healthy fats to grow.”
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“Berries are full of vitamins that help keep us healthy for holiday fun.
Whether they’re decorating mini bliss balls, gingerbread cookies, Christmas pancakes, or little yogurt cups, toddlers love the freedom to create and this makes nutritious options feel exciting, beautiful, and festive!
4. Measuring & Scooping: A Confidence Boost!
Toddlers feel very grown-up when they get to scoop and measure ingredients. Use measuring cups and spoons to let your toddler add ingredients with guided support. They love the responsibility and it’s a great early math lesson!
Use this as a sensory learning experience:
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scooping flour with a small cup
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spooning mashed pumpkin into a bowl
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counting spoonfuls or cups together
It builds early maths and fine motor skills while keeping them safely involved.
Sneak in a gentle nutrition lesson:
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“Pumpkin gives our bodies special vitamins that help our skin and eyes.”
5. Give Them a Festive Job Title
Toddlers love having a role:
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“Christmas Mixing Helper”
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“Berry Washer Elf”
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“Sprinkle Specialist”
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“Little Taste-Tester”
It gives them responsibility and pride and helps you keep things structured and safe.
Creating Memories That Nourish
The goal isn’t perfect biscuits or spotless counters. It’s connection, giggles and letting your little one explore real foods with all their five senses while helping them grow confident, curious, and joyful around eating.
Let your kitchen become a space for learning and nourishing fun with our Mini Christmas Apron in festive green linen for your little baker-in-training. Soft, durable and lightweight for super easy washing and adjustable so it can grow with your little one and be cherished for years to come!
Plus, make beautiful festive memories with bub with the help of our Christmas exclusive finger food range!
Let bub roll out our cosy and gently sweetened Cinnamon Spiced Honey Bread Dough and create adorable Christmas shapes for a fun holiday activity! Bake to fill your home with the aroma of cinnamon and honey and once done, allow your little baker to get creative and decorate this delicious homemade treat.
Watch bub have fun rolling out our soft, chewy and full-of-pumpkin-spice Bliss Balls into shredded coconut for that extra special touch! You and bub can enjoy these little bites of Christmas cheer that are yummy, naturally sweetened and extra nourishing with a boost of fibre!
Last but not least, enjoy making adorable shapes of our crunchy, soft and chewy bursting-with-cheesy-flavour biscuit roll. Our Cheesy Biscuit Roll is made with calcium-rich cheddar and fibre-packed oats to ensure bub gets a perfect nutritional boost this holiday season!
Take Home Message
This Christmas, let your toddler pull up a stool, get their hands a little messy, and be part of the kitchen story. These are the moments that become traditions and the traditions that become treasured memories your little one will carry forever!
