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.
37 Fun Treats to Make with Bored Kids
Updated on Sep. 17, 2024
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Ice Cream Cone Treats
Total Time
20 min
Servings
12 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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 pops. —Mabel Nolan, Vancouver, Washington
2/37
Rainbow Jello Cubes
Total Time
30 min
Servings
9 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These perky gelatin cubes are fun to serve and to eat! I vary the colors to match the occasion—pink and blue for a baby shower, school colors for a graduation party, and so on. Kids of all ages snap them up. —Deanna Pietrowicz, Bridgeport, Connecticut
3/37
Pear-Berry Breakfast Tarts
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
4/37
Oreo Cupcakes
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
5/37
Drop Doughnuts
Total Time
25 min
Servings
3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
6/37
Apple Banana Bread
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
1 loaf (16 pieces)
From the Recipe Creator:
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
7/37
Magic Wands
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
8/37
Peanut Butter Brownies
Total Time
55 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I have two sons, and I sent these peanut butter brownies to them regularly when they were in college. They told me that they used to hide a few from their roommates just to make sure there would be some left! —Patsy Burgin, Lebanon, Indiana
9/37
Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
Total Time
25 min
Servings
1-1/4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
We don't want to brag, but as far as vanilla ice cream recipes go, this one is the best. And with only four ingredients, it just might be the easiest, too. No ice cream maker? No problem. Just follow the directions below to learn how to make homemade ice cream by hand. It's the perfect base for our best ice cream sundae ideas, too. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
10/37
Chocolate & Peanut Butter Crispy Bars
Total Time
40 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I created these dairy-free chocolaty peanut bars, and my kids and their friends can’t get enough! —Dawn Pasco, Overland Park, Kansas
11/37
Ice Cream Cone Cupcakes
Total Time
55 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
12/37
Bee My Honey Fruit Dip
Total Time
5 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Orange, cinnamon and nutmeg round out this creamy spiced dip. I serve it with apples, pineapple and strawberries. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
13/37
Peanut Butter and Jelly Ice Cream
Total Time
20 min
Servings
5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
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
14/37
Orange Cream Pops
Total Time
10 min
Servings
10 pops
From the Recipe Creator:
For a lower-fat alternative to ice cream-filled pops, 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
15/37
Peanut Butter Banana Muffins
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
These bite-sized muffins make a delightful treat. Banana and peanut butter are ideal partners and taste terrific with chocolate. —Patty Putter, Marion, Kansas
16/37
Kiddie Crunch Mix
Total Time
10 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
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
17/37
Caramel-Pecan Monkey Bread
Total Time
50 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
18/37
Chocolate-Covered Pretzels
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
20 pretzels
From the Recipe Creator:
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
19/37
Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake
Total Time
45 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
20/37
Mint Sandwich Cookies
Total Time
20 min
Servings
3 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
21/37
S’mores Brownies
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
22/37
Root Beer Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
23/37
Strawberry Shakes
Total Time
5 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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.
24/37
Berry Brownie Pizza
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
How could you not love pizza for dessert? A fudgy brownie base is layered with a whipped topping sauce, then covered with fresh strawberries, chopped nuts and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. —Karen Heleski, Ubly, Michigan
25/37
Chocolate Malt Crispy Bars
Total Time
25 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
26/37
Banana Split Pie
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This dessert is special enough to make hamburgers and fries a meal to remember! It's so tall and pretty, and is just like eating a frozen banana split. Make it ahead to save time. —Joy Collins, Birmingham, Alabama
27/37
Rice Krispie Cookies
Total Time
15 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
29/37
Chocolate Mint Sandwich Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I got this recipe from my daughter years ago. I've taken these chewy filled treats—and the treasured recipe—to many cookie exchanges. —Bertha Bratt, Lynden, Washington
30/37
Cheesecake Pops
Total Time
2 hours
Servings
45 cheesecake pops
From the Recipe Creator:
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
31/37
Miniature Peanut Butter Treats
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
32/37
Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream
Total Time
40 min
Servings
12 servings (about 1-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
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
33/37
Marshmallow Fruit Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
5 cups (40 servings)
From the Recipe Creator:
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
34/37
Lemony Snack Mix
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2-3/4 quarts
From the Recipe Creator:
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
35/37
Chocolate Swirl Delight
Total Time
25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
36/37
Popcorn Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 2-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
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
37/37
No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
