40 Fun Treats to Make with Bored Kids
Updated: Jul. 18, 2022
Your response to "Mom, I'm bored"? These fun, easy recipes! Help kiddos of all ages whip up cookies, cupcakes, pies and other tasty treats.
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Ice Cream Cone Treats
I came up with this recipe as a way for my grandkids to enjoy Rice Krispies treats without getting sticky hands. You can also pack the cereal mixture into paper cups and insert a wooden pop stick to create cute pops. —Mabel Nolan, Vancouver, Washington
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Rainbow Gelatin Cubes
These layered jello cubes are fun to serve and to eat! I vary the colors to match the occasion. Kids of all ages snatch them up. —Deanna Pietrowicz, Bridgeport, Connecticut
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Pear-Berry Breakfast Tarts
When my kids were small, I could never get pancakes on the table while they were all still hot. Then I got the idea for these breakfast tarts. They're a good and simple recipe for any busy family. —Joan Elbourn, Gardner, Massachusetts
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Oreo Cupcakes with Cookies and Cream Frosting
Kids and adults alike will find these Oreo cupcakes irresistible. If you want to pipe the frosting, be sure to thoroughly crush the cookies. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Drop Doughnuts
Remember this recipe after your next holiday dinner. I use any leftover mashed potatoes to make these light and fluffy doughnuts. The dish was originally created by my neighbor's mother-in-law as a breakfast treat or a snack. —Marilyn Kleinfall, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
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I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas Bread
My children love to bake (and eat) all kinds of banana bread. They make this all by themselves, with just a little help from me to put it in the oven. —Kristin Metcalf, Charlton, Massachusetts
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Magic Wands
These fun and colorful wands don't need to be made by a magician to be magical. You can change the colors to fit any party theme. —Renee Schwebach, Dumont, Minnesota
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Fudgy Brownies with Peanut Butter Pudding Frosting
Rich brownies are topped with a peanut butter pudding frosting to make this a recipe the whole family will love. These are perfect for a potluck, bake sale or yummy after-dinner treat. —Amy Crook, Syracuse, Utah
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Thomas Jefferson's Vanilla Ice Cream
The third U.S. president is credited with jotting down the first American recipe for this treat. No vanilla bean on hand? Substitute 1 tablespoon vanilla extract for the vanilla bean. Just stir the extract into the cream mixture after the ice-water bath. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Chocolate & Peanut Butter Crispy Bars
To make a dairy-free dessert, I created chocolate peanutty bars. My kids and their friends gobble them up. I've written about it on my blog, joyfulscribblings.com. —Dawn Pasco, Overland Park, Kansas
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Chocolate-Dipped Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
I created this recipe based on our family's love of chocolate-dipped ice cream cones. Red heart-shaped sprinkles make them fun for Valentine's Day. Vary the color to match the occasion. —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
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Bee My Honey Fruit Dip
Orange, cinnamon and nutmeg round out this creamy spiced dip. I serve it with apples, pineapple and strawberries. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
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Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream
What could be better than peanut butter and jelly ice cream? You'll love the sweet-salty combination. Use your favorite flavor of jelly and switch to crunchy peanut butter if you like extra texture. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Orange Cream Pops
For a lower-fat alternative to pops filled with ice cream, try this citrus novelty. The tangy orange flavor will make your taste buds tingle, while the silky smooth texture offers cool comfort. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Chocolate Monster Cookies
My four grandsons started attending "Grandma's cooking school" when they were as young as 4. These easy monster cookies are a favorite of the youngest. He has fun making them and is always delighted with the results, as is the rest of the family. —Helen Hilbert, Liverpool, New York
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Peanut Butter-Banana Muffins
These bite-sized muffins make a delightful treat. Banana and peanut butter are ideal partners and taste terrific with chocolate. —Patty Putter, Marion, Kansas
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Kiddie Crunch Mix
This no-bake snack mix is a delightful treat for kids, and you can easily increase the amount to fit your needs. Place in individual bags, or pour some into colored ice cream cones for a fun presentation. —Kara de la Vega, Santa Rosa, California
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Caramel-Pecan Monkey Bread
The kids will get a kick out of pulling off gooey pieces of this delectable monkey bread. It's hard to resist a caramel-coated treat. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
These chocolate-covered pretzels came from my grandma, who loves to make candy and treats for my students. I have followed in her footsteps and make these for people at work and for other family members. —Aimee Worth, Fair Oaks, California
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Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake
When my family is planning a get-together, I can count on three or four people to ask if I'm bringing this dessert. If you don't have a chocolate cake mix, use a white or yellow one and stir in 3 tablespoons baking cocoa. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
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Mint Sandwich Cookies
Canned frosting, peppermint extract and chocolate candy coating quickly turn crackers into these wonderful little no-bake cookies. My children and I like to assemble them for parties and holidays. I hope you and your family enjoy them as much as we do. -Melissa Thompson, Anderson, Ohio
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S'mores Brownies
My family simply adores my daughter's fudgy s'mores brownies. The cinnamon graham cracker crust and the dark chocolate brownies bring our passion for s'mores to a whole new level! —Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan
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Root Beer Cookies
When it's too difficult to take along root beer floats on a picnic, take these cookies instead! I've found the flavor is even better the next day. The hard part is convincing my family to wait that long before sampling them.—Violette Bawden, West Valley City, Utah
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Strawberry Shakes
Full of summer fruit, these thick berry blends are the perfect way to savor hot days. "I serve tall glasses with strawberry garnishes," says Ruby Williams of Bogalusa, Louisiana.
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Berry Brownie Pizza
How could you not love pizza for dessert? A fudgy brownie base is layered with a whipped topping sauce, then topped with fresh strawberries, chopped nuts and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. —Karen Heleski, Ubly, Michigan —Karen Heleski, Ubly, Michigan
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Chocolate Malt Crispy Bars
These chunky, chewy squares are a feast for the eyes. Malted milk flavor coats this treat from top to bottom. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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Frozen Banana Split Pie
This dessert is special enough to make hamburgers and fries a meal to remember! It's so tall and pretty and just like eating a frozen banana split. Make it ahead to save time. —Joy Collins, Birmingham, Alabama
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Rice Krispie Cookies
My mom and I used to prepare these Rice Krispie cookies for Christmas every year. Making them with just the microwave means they’re super easy and fun to mix with the kids. —Savanna Chapdelaine, Orlando, Florida
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Orange Buttermilk Cupcakes
Simple and delicious, this is our all-time favorite low-fat dessert. You'll be surprised how well the citrus flavor comes through in every bite.
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Chocolate Mint Sandwich Cookies
I got this recipe from my daughter years ago. I've taken these chewy filled cookies and the treasured recipe to many cookie exchanges.
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Cheesecake Pops
This is a very quick, easy and fun dessert for any occasion. The possibilities are endless with these cute bites. Customize them for any occasion by using different toppings. —Evelyn Moore, Elk Grove, California
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Miniature Peanut Butter Treats
This recipe is one of my family's favorites, and I make the treats a lot, especially at Christmas. I have three children and eight grandchildren, and every one of them loves those "peanut butter thingies," as the grandchildren call them! —Jodie McCoy, Tulsa, Oklahoma
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Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
This creamy, luscious ice cream will remind you of the signature treat served at church ice cream socials. What dessert could be better? —Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin—Esther Johnson, Merrill, Wisconsin
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Marshmallow Fruit Dip
You can whip up this sweet and creamy dip in just 10 minutes. I like to serve it in a bowl surrounded by fresh-picked strawberries at spring brunches or luncheons. —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
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Lemony Snack Mix
I'm on a gluten-restricted diet. I came up with this snack mix one day when I wanted something fast and easy that tasted like lemon bars. It makes a great gift, and folks love the light and fresh citrus flavor. —Patricia Sensenich, Olanthe, Kansas
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Chocolate Swirl Delight
I made a few updates to a great recipe and ended up with an impressive dessert. Everyone loves its light texture and chocolaty flavor. —Lynne Bargar, Saegertown, Pennyslvania
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Popcorn Cookies
It's so much fun to surprise people with the crushed popcorn in these yummy cookies. They're definitely a distinctive cookie on the holiday tray.—Leigh Anne Preston, Palmyra, Indiana
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No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
Oreo cookies and cheesecake—how can you go wrong? I made 20 of these crowd-pleasing no-bake Oreo cheesecakes in all different sizes for my wedding, and they were a big hit.—Leanne Stinson, Carnduff, Saskatchewan
Originally Published: March 16, 2020
