9 Super-Easy Appetizers for Holiday Entertaining with Kids—RECIPES INSIDE!

THE RECIPES

9 Super-Easy Kid-Friendly Appetizers for Holiday Entertaining

If you’re hosting this holiday season and need fuss-free ideas for what to serve—think easy snacks that come together in a snap and appeal to all of your guests, big and small—look no further. We’ve rounded up nine simple, crowd-pleasing appetizers that are big on flavour and low on effort so you can spend less time prepping and more time partying.

Tap each recipe title for the details.

Beef Satays with Peanut Dipping Sauce
These tender grilled skewers with rich peanut sauce always disappear quickly.

Baked Cheese Sticks
Crispy and melty and done in the oven—no air fryer required.

Marinated Bocconcini
Creamy bites of cheese are soaked in bright herby oil for the easiest make-ahead nibble.

Bacon-Wrapped Dates
Salty, sweet and gooey—your friends will ask for the recipe.

Mini Layered Taco Dip
All the best taco toppings in a cute single-serve format (so kids can double-dip all night!).

Spicy Asian Chicken Wings
These sticky wings with the perfect amount of kick will fly off the platter.

Top-Your-Own Crostini
Set out toasted slices of baguette and toppings so everyone can create their perfect bite.

Herbed Mushroom and Camembert Skillet
This savoury, cheesy app is cooked and served in an oven-to-table skillet for easy cleanup.

Roasted Feta and Olives
A bubbly mix of briny olives and soft roasted feta is made for scooping into pita chips.

THE CONTEST

Do You Do Elf on the Shelf with Your Kids? ENTER TO WIN!

Head on over to Instagram, tag us in your best Elf on the Shelf posts 🎄 and you may find yourself the lucky winner of a $50 grocery store gift card—we’ll draw a random name on December 15. We’ll also include all of the ideas in a handy roundup for other parents to use (because, seriously, we’re all in this together and December is long.)

Answer from last week’s poll  

Do you ever wonder when you became the adult in the room?

🟨🟨🟨🟨🟨⬜️ Totally. Like, they trust me to drive and raise tiny humans? (28.8%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Nope. I feel like I've been an adult my whole life. (32.2%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ I'm still pretending I'm not. (19.5%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Wait—I'm the adult?! (19.5%)

THE QUESTION BOX

My Child Is Out to Me But Not to Our Family—How Can I Help Them Navigate the Holidays?

The holidays can feel extra stressful for kids who are out to their parents but not with the rest of the family. With this important issue in mind, we turned to Dr. Alex Abramovich and the 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Health and Homelessness Research Lab at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health to break down how caregivers can help young people feel safe, seen and supported during a season that can be full of complicated dynamics.

Click through for guidance on topics like:

• How to support a child who’s out to you but not to everyone else

• How to help if they want to come out during a gathering

• What to do when someone misgenders them

• How to respond when relatives make “jokes” or comments that cross the line

• Easy ways to make home feel more affirming through the holidays