Fun Food For Kids

17 Fun Foods for Kids to Make and Eat

By
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher
Stephanie Gallagher is a journalist and food writer who has authored multiple cookbooks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/6/21

When you make food fun for kids, they want to eat it. So these recipes are all designed to appeal to even your pickiest eaters.

Many of these recipes are also easy enough for kids to make themselves. So if you enjoy cooking with your kids, or you want to do a special cooking project at the kids' school or camp, these fun kids' food recipes will give you some great ideas.

  • 01 of 17

    Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes Recipe

    Ice cream cone cup cakes
    Sharon Vos-Arnold/Getty Images

    These ice cream cone cupcakes are everything fun food for kids should be: fun to make, fun to look at and even more fun to eat.

  • 02 of 17

    Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats Recipe

    Special kay bars

    The Spruce Eats / Katarina Zunic

    Rice crispy treats are the very definition of fun food for kids, and this rice crispy treats recipe is one you won't mind making again and again, because it's made with wholesome peanut butter and brown rice syrup, making it a bit healthier than the classic rice crispy treats.

  • 03 of 17

    Egg Cream

    Egg Cream

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

    New York egg cream is a fun way to dress up chocolate milk. This soda shop favorite requires just three ingredients: milk, seltzer, and chocolate syrup. Kids can even mix it up themselves, though you might want to open the seltzer for them to avoid a fizzy mess. You could also integrate it into a history lesson about the old days of soda fountains and the soda jerks that made this drink famous.

  • 04 of 17

    Football Cake

    Football Cake

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

    For little sports fans, this football cake is sure to be a hit. They can even play a role in some of the easier steps. The yummy chocolate cake is baked in a standard round pan, then two simple cuts transform it into a football. Whip up the chocolate frosting, and let the kids create the coconut "grass." It's a fun activity with delicious results.

    Continue to 5 of 17 below.
  • 05 of 17

    Chocolate Milkshake

    chocolate milkshake

     Leah Maroney

    This classic recipe couldn't be simpler. It's just milk (soy milk, almond milk, or any non-dairy milk will work great), vanilla ice cream, and chocolate syrup. That's it. The fun part comes in topping your milkshake. Assemble a DIY topping bar with whip cream, sprinkles, powdered candy canes, or even whole candy bars. Kids will love mixing and matching toppings. This is particularly fun for sleepovers.

  • 06 of 17

    Unicorn Pop Tarts

    Unicorn Pop Tarts

     Kristina Vanni

    This recipe for unicorn pop tarts plays on Kellogg's classic breakfast treat. The colorful pastry crust holds sweetened cream cheese and rainbow sprinkles. Depending on their age, kids can help patch together the dough and apply the sprinkles, or follow the easy recipe from start to finish. With vanilla glaze and more rainbow sprinkles, this homemade version tastes best enjoyed fresh from the oven.

  • 07 of 17

    Unicorn Cupcakes

    Unicorn Cupcakes

     Kristina Vanni

    Transform a classic vanilla cupcake into an impressive mythical unicorn cupcake with just a couple of marshmallows, a dash of sprinkles, and a perfectly placed candle. These make a great substitute for a birthday cake when the party includes a picnic, or you can replace the candle with a twisty lollipop for an everyday treat.

  • 08 of 17

    Unicorn Cookies

    Unicorn Cookies

     Kristina Vanni

    These decorated unicorn sugar cookies look impressive, but the step-by-step icing technique makes them easy to pull off. You can purchase unicorn-shaped cookie cutters online or at your favorite kitchen store. Add a touch of edible gold shimmer to really make these cookies shine.

    Continue to 9 of 17 below.
  • 09 of 17

    Marshmallow Fluff

    Homemade-Marshmallow-Fluff
    The Spruce | by Jennifer Perillo.

    It takes just five common ingredients — and no specialized equipment — to make homemade marshmallow fluff. Though it's tempting enough to eat with a spoon, it also makes a delicious frosting for cupcakes or as the filling for a classic fluffernutter sandwich.

  • 10 of 17

    S'mores Cookies

    S'Mores Cookies

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

    You don't need a campfire to make s'mores cookies. These delicious little treats are fun to bake and an amusing twist on a summer favorite. The batter includes graham crackers and the drop cookies are partially baked before the toppings are added. The kids can help you place the chocolate and marshmallow. They'll also enjoy watching them transform in the oven as the cookie becomes crispy, the chocolate softens, and the marshmallow gets toasty.

  • 11 of 17

    Magic Shell

    Magic Shell Topping for Ice Cream

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

    The kids will be in awe as they watch this magic shell harden and create a crackly topping for their ice cream. The "magic" requires nothing more than melting chocolate chips with coconut oil, so it's incredibly easy, too.

  • 12 of 17

    Unicorn Pretzels

    Unicorn Pretzels

    The Spruce/Pete Scherer

    Sweet and salty pretzel rods with a kaleidoscope of color make a perfect treat for a unicorn-themed party. Let the kids help dip and decorate for tasty family fun.

    Continue to 13 of 17 below.
  • 13 of 17

    Football Cookies

    Chocolate Football Cookies

    The Spruce Eats / Jessie Sheehan 

    Football cookies are a fun family project. These delicious and fun treats are made by rolling out a chocolate cookie dough then using a cookie cutter to create the football shape. Add the royal icing to a piping bag to create the laces, and you have a sweet snack everyone will love.

  • 14 of 17

    Monster Cookies

    Monster Cookies

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

    What kid wouldn't love a cookie the size of a small plate? Monster cookies are guaranteed to please anyone, and they're as fun to bake as they are to eat. This recipe uses a basic cookie dough to which an assortment of mix-ins is added. Stick with the suggested oats, chocolate chunks, peanuts, and candy-coated chocolates, or come up with your own combination.

  • 15 of 17

    Fairy Bread

    Fairy Bread

    The Spruce Eats / Kristina Vanni

    Need a super quick snack that's also a ton of fun? Fairy bread is the recipe for you. A favorite among kids in Australia, this magical treat is nothing more than ordinary white bread, butter, and loads of colorful sprinkles.

  • 16 of 17

    Puppy Chow Recipe

    Chex puppy chow mix

    The Spruce

    This sweet party mix is one of those fun kids' foods that adults like, too. This recipe is also super easy to make - young kids may need help with the oven.

    Continue to 17 of 17 below.
  • 17 of 17

    Dirt Cake Recipe

    Oreo dirt cake recipe

    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

    Ever see a preschooler's face when you tell him you're going to make dirt for dessert? It's priceless. This dirt cake is one of those fun kid food recipes that's perfect for special occasions. Want the same idea for an afternoon snack? Check out my dirt dessert cups recipe.