‘Tis the season for holiday parties, Secret Santas, cookie swaps, and all the sparkly gatherings that make December feel magical. As a mom and pediatric dietitian, I love this time of year — not just for the traditions, but for the snacks. Holiday appetizers are colorful, creative, and honestly just fun to think about.
One of my favorite annual gatherings is our neighbor’s “Santa’s Favorite Snacks” party. Everyone brings a holiday-inspired appetizer, and the spread is always a joyful mix of sweet, savory, and delightfully unexpected — baked brie topped with cranberries and brown sugar, a 7-layer dip baked in a Christmas tree pan, red bell pepper strips with green goddess dip, and trail mix stirred together with holiday M&M’s. It’s festive, delicious, and a refreshing break from the usual dinner routine.
Whether you’re hosting, heading to a potluck, or settling in for football bowl games, having festive snacks for kids on hand makes the day smoother, less stressful, and a lot more fun.
Why Make Festive Snacks for Kids This Holiday Season
The holidays bring excitement, new environments, and unfamiliar foods — all of which can feel overwhelming for kids, especially picky eaters or those who thrive on routine. Kid-friendly snacks add a layer of comfort and predictability so children can enjoy the celebration without pressure.
Here’s why they’re worth planning:
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They help kids feel included. Seeing foods that look fun, familiar, and approachable helps kids feel like part of the celebration instead of being expected to jump into a totally unfamiliar spread.
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They offer familiarity during a season of novelty. Holiday meals often look and smell different from everyday meals. Having even one or two familiar foods can help children feel grounded.
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They create low-pressure food exposures. Fun shapes, colorful combos, and playful presentations spark curiosity without any expectation to eat. Simply assembling a snack counts as progress!
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They reduce stress for parents. You can relax knowing your child has something satisfying to nibble on — no pressure, no bargaining.
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They add joy to the gathering. Kid-friendly snacks are often a hit with adults too. Fun food is festive food!
Our Favorite Festive Snacks for Kids
Holiday Pinwheels
Ingredients:
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Spinach tortillas
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Red pepper hummus
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Provolone cheese slices
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Turkey lunch meat
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Optional: ranch dressing
Directions:
Spread hummus over each tortilla, then layer with cheese and turkey. Roll up tightly and slice into 1-inch pinwheels. Secure with toothpicks and serve with ranch if desired. The red-and-green colors make these look holiday-ready with almost no effort.
Grinch Fruit Kabobs
Ingredients:
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Green grapes
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1 banana, sliced
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Strawberries, stems removed
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Mini marshmallows
Directions:
Thread a grape, followed by a banana slice, then a strawberry (wide side down), and finish with a mini marshmallow. The finished kabob looks like the Grinch wearing a Santa hat! Kids love making these themselves — a fun, low-pressure way to explore fruit.
Mini Mozzarella Snowmen
Ingredients:
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Mini mozzarella balls
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Cherry tomatoes, halved
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Basil leaves (scarves)
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Carrot slivers (noses)
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Black sesame seeds or peppercorns (eyes + buttons)
Directions:
Stack two mozzarella balls using a toothpick. Wrap with a basil leaf as a scarf, top with a tomato “hat,” and add carrot pieces and sesame seeds for the face and buttons. These adorable little snowmen disappear almost instantly at parties.
More Simple Festive Snacks for Kids
If you want a few extra festive touches without adding more prep work, these ideas are easy crowd-pleasers:
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Colorful fruit trays shaped like a wreath or tree
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Popcorn mixed with pretzels and a few holiday-colored add-ins
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A kid-friendly cheese and cracker board
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Mini cups of yogurt or applesauce with festive toppers
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Sliced veggies arranged in holiday shapes
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Whole-grain crackers cut with small cookie cutters
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Red and green fruit combinations (berries, kiwi, grapes)
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Pretzel rods dipped in melted chocolate or yogurt and lightly sprinkled
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Holiday-shaped silicone muffin cups filled with simple snacks (berries, goldfish, cheese cubes)
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Graham crackers paired with a small bowl of cream cheese or nut/seed butter
Tips for Supporting Picky Eaters with Festive Snacks for Kids
Holiday gatherings can be overwhelming — loud rooms, new people, foods that look different, and lots of attention on eating. A few supportive strategies can make it smoother for picky eaters:
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Exposure counts — even without eating. Simply seeing, smelling, touching, or helping make a food is meaningful progress.
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Bring a safe food. If your child is hesitant, having a familiar snack helps them feel secure.
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Keep comments neutral. Swap “Just try it!” for “You can choose what looks good to you.”
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Focus on fun, not food. Holiday meals are only a couple of days a year — kids will be okay.
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Give kids a role. Asking kids to help assemble snacks encourages curiosity and involvement.
Want more help with picky eating? Go back to the basics with 4 Strategies to Help Picky Eaters Try New Foods.
How to Build a Balanced Table of Festive Snacks for Kids
To create a holiday snack table that feels welcoming for all ages, try this simple formula:
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Include 1–2 familiar or “safe” foods. Crackers, fruit, cheese, pretzels, or simple sandwiches help hesitant eaters feel comfortable.
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Offer 1–2 “middle-ground” foods. These are items kids may not eat often but aren’t too unfamiliar — like pinwheels or veggie dips.
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Add 1–2 fun or festive foods. Think Grinch kabobs or mozzarella snowmen — presentation alone can spark interest.
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Keep portions small and approachable. Bite-size snacks feel less intimidating and more inviting.
Celebrate the Joy, Not Perfection, with Festive Snacks for Kids
Holiday snacks don’t need to be elaborate or Pinterest-perfect to be meaningful. Kids remember the fun, colors, laughter, and togetherness — not whether the cheese was artisanal or the strawberries were arranged perfectly.
Pick a few festive appetizers that feel fun and doable, let kids explore at their own pace, and enjoy the chance to make memories around food in a relaxed, joyful way.