Thanksgiving is all about family, laughter, and of course, sneaking little fingers into the dessert bowl before dinner! I’ll never forget the first time my niece and I made these Thanksgiving treats for kids together – she was covered in chocolate and marshmallow fluff, grinning like she’d discovered the secret to happiness. And honestly? She kinda had. These simple, no-bake goodies are perfect for keeping little hands busy while the turkey roasts. They’re so easy even my preschooler can help (though fair warning: you might find more marshmallows in their mouth than in the bowl). The best part? These treats disappear faster than the wishbone gets snapped!
Why You’ll Love These Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
Oh my gosh, where do I even start with why these treats are the best? First off, they’re so simple even my sleep-deprived mom brain can handle them after a long day of turkey prep. But here’s the real magic:
- Little hands can help! My kids go wild for the mixing part – though we usually end up with more marshmallows on the floor than in the bowl (whoops!).
- Ready in no time – 30 minutes tops from start to sticky-fingered finish.
- That perfect sweet-salty crunch that makes both kids and adults sneak « just one more » until the whole batch disappears.
- No fancy ingredients – just pantry staples you probably already have.
- The best distraction while you’re trying to get the real dinner on the table!
Trust me, these will become your new Thanksgiving tradition – we’ve made them every year since my now-teenager was in diapers!
Ingredients for Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
Okay, let’s talk ingredients – and I promise, this is the easiest shopping list ever! You probably have most of this in your pantry already (I know I always do, because we make these treats way too often). Here’s what you’ll need to make magic happen:
- 2 cups pretzel sticks – the skinny ones work best, but if your kids are like mine and already crushed half the bag, broken pieces work too!
- 1 cup mini marshmallows – the tiny ones melt perfectly, though we sometimes sneak in a few big ones for « surprise bites »
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips – milk chocolate is our favorite, but dark chocolate makes it feel fancy for grown-ups
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil – just enough to make everything glossy and help it all stick together
See? Told you it was simple! Now let’s get those little hands mixing – just try to save some marshmallows for the actual recipe!
Equipment Needed for Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
Okay, let’s talk tools – and I promise, we’re keeping this super simple! You’ll just need two things from your kitchen:
- A mixing bowl – any size will do, though I grab my medium one because it’s perfect for little hands to stir without making a huge mess (well… less of a mess!)
- A baking sheet – lined with parchment paper because, let’s be real, nobody wants to scrub melted marshmallow off pans after cooking Thanksgiving dinner
That’s it! No fancy gadgets or special equipment – just grab these and you’re ready to make some sweet Thanksgiving memories with the kids.
How to Make Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
Alright, let’s get to the fun part – making these adorable Thanksgiving treats with your little helpers! I’ll walk you through each step just like I do with my kids (though I can’t promise you won’t end up with chocolate fingerprints everywhere like we do). The best part? It’s so simple even my 4-year-old can do most of it – with a little supervision, of course!
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First things first – crank that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Trust me, this step is non-negotiable unless you want to spend Thanksgiving scrubbing melted marshmallow off your pans! I usually let my kids help with this part – they love « painting » the pan with the parchment paper.
Step 2: Mix the Ingredients
Now for the messy fun! Dump all your pretzel sticks, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips into a big mixing bowl. This is where the kids can really get involved – my little ones go wild for the pouring and stirring. Drizzle in that tablespoon of vegetable oil and let them mix everything together. Pro tip: use a rubber spatula if you want to minimize the mess (though where’s the fun in that?).
Step 3: Bake and Cool
Spread your mixture onto the prepared baking sheet – and here’s where you can get creative! Let the kids shape little clusters if they want (we sometimes make « turkey tails » with ours). Pop it in the oven for exactly 10 minutes – set a timer because they go from perfect to overdone fast! When they come out, resist the urge to touch them right away (I’ve learned this the hard way). Let them cool completely before the taste-testing begins!
See? I told you it was easy! Now you’ve got a fun activity to keep the kids busy and a delicious treat to enjoy. Just try not to eat them all before dinner – no promises though!
Tips for Perfect Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
Oh honey, let me share all my hard-earned wisdom from years of making these treats with sticky-fingered helpers! First off, parchment paper is your BFF – it makes cleanup a breeze when marshmallow inevitably drips everywhere. And speaking of messes, put down an old tablecloth or baking sheet under your workspace because those chocolate chips will absolutely go rogue.
Here’s my best advice: let the kids take charge of mixing (supervised, of course). They’ll feel so proud, and honestly their enthusiasm makes the treats taste better! My niece invented « turkey tail » shapes by clustering the pretzels – don’t be afraid to get creative. And if your batch disappears too fast? Double it next time. Trust me, you’ll need to!
One last secret: keep wet wipes handy. You’re welcome.
Variations for Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
Oh, the possibilities are endless with these treats! My kids love experimenting with different versions – it’s like a science project they can eat. Here are some of our favorite twists:
- Rainbow sprinkles – because everything’s more fun when it looks like a party exploded on it
- White chocolate chips – my niece calls these the « snowy Thanksgiving » version
- Crushed candy corn – for that extra festive touch (though fair warning: sugar rush alert!)
- Dried cranberries – adds a little tartness that grown-ups especially love
- Peanut butter drizzle – because chocolate and peanut butter is always a win in our house
The best part? There’s no wrong way to do it – let the kids pick their favorite add-ins and make it their own special creation!
FAQs About Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
Oh, I get asked these questions all the time – usually while covered in chocolate fingerprints! Here are the answers to everything you might wonder about these adorable Thanksgiving treats:
Can I use white chocolate chips instead?
Absolutely! We actually call those our « snowy Thanksgiving » version. White chocolate melts beautifully and looks so festive. My niece insists on adding rainbow sprinkles when we use white chocolate – because why not?
How long do these treats last?
In theory? About 3 days in an airtight container. In reality? Maybe 3 hours if my kids are around! The marshmallows can get a bit stiff after a day, so we usually gobble them up fresh.
Can I make these without nuts?
You bet! The basic recipe is naturally nut-free (though always check your pretzel ingredients if allergies are a concern). We sometimes add sunflower seeds for crunch without the nuts.
What if my marshmallows get too melty?
Been there! If they get too sticky, just pop the tray in the fridge for 10 minutes. Works like magic to firm everything up again. Trust me, I’ve rescued many a batch this way!
Can I use different shaped pretzels?
Oh, get creative! The little sticks are easiest for kids to handle, but we’ve used pretzel rings to make « turkey wreaths » and even pretzel goldfish for fun shapes. The kids love picking out special pretzels for our baking days!
Nutritional Information
Okay, let’s be real for a second – we’re talking about a treat covered in chocolate and marshmallows here! While I’m no nutritionist (just a mom who loves seeing her kids’ happy faces), I can tell you that nutritional info will vary depending on your ingredients. The dark chocolate chips we sometimes use bump up the antioxidants, while the pretzels add that satisfying crunch without being too heavy. But honestly? These are special occasion treats meant for making memories, not counting calories. Just enjoy the sticky-fingered moments with your little ones!
Share Your Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
Oh my goodness, I’d absolutely love to see what you and your little ones create! Snap a picture of those chocolate-covered masterpieces and tag me on Instagram – nothing makes my day more than seeing kids’ proud faces with their Thanksgiving treats. Or leave a comment below telling me your favorite variation (I’m always looking for new ideas to try with my crew!). Let’s make this a big, messy, happy holiday tradition together!
Thanksgiving Treats for Kids
Ingrédients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine pretzel sticks, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips.
- Drizzle with vegetable oil and mix until evenly coated.
- Spread the mixture on the baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
- Let cool before serving.