10 festive snacks to leave for Santa

Santa might recognise a friend or two from the North Pole with these fun snowman biscuits. The undecorated biscuits can be made ahead and frozen, so you can whip them out just in time to decorate before Father Christmas arrives. Try more Christmas cookie recipes for kids.

2. Mini elf doughnuts

Mini doughnuts with green and red icing on a plate that says 'for the elves' with carrots next to it

Include Santa's elves in your Christmas Eve treats with these mini doughnuts. Children will love decorating these tiny treats and leaving them by their stocking. For another Christmassy twist, try our mincemeat doughnuts.

3. Reindeer food

Bowl of reindeer food (oats, sweet and dried fruit)

Help the kids create a simple snack for the reindeer. For extra festive cheer, you can even add some edible glitter. This crunchy granola also makes a brilliant breakfast treat come Christmas morning. Try our reindeer food flapjacks, too.

4. Rudolph's carrot patch cakes

Mini chocolate loaf cake with a fondant icing carrot in the top

Keep kids entertained on Christmas Eve by baking these chocolate carrot loaf cakes. They can help decorate them by sprinkling the 'grass' around the carrots. Next, try Rudolph's snowball carrot muffins.

5. Reindeer & snowman chocolate bark

A very easy recipe that more than ticks the festive fun factor box. Drizzle melted milk chocolate over dark chocolate to create the bark base, then let your kids' imaginations run wild with an assortment of pretzels, mini marshmallows and other sweets – the sky is the limit. Try more chocolate bark recipes.

6. Rudolph shortbread

These crumbly shortbread biscuits are the perfect treat to make with children on Christmas Eve, and you’ll have plenty leftover for a last-minute gift, too. Or, try our rum & raisin shortbread for a grown-up twist that adults will love.

7. Iced mince pies

By the time Santa reaches your house, he's probably eaten more than his fill of mince pies. Give him something a bit different with this iced variety that kids can try their hand at decorating. Also check out our 10 twists on mince pies.

8. Rudolph's carrot flapjacks

These moist, oaty bakes are brilliant for making with kids – the recipe is so simple, and there is plenty of stirring to do. They're packed full of oats, fruit, spices and seeds, so Rudolph is sure to love them. Cook Rudolph's pancakes for a Christmas morning treat, too.

9. Gingerbread people

Shop-bought writing icing pens and assorted sweets make this an easy activity for kids of any age. Why not try making a homemade gingerbread house as the next school holiday project?

10. Elf & santa cupcakes

Santa will love these cute chimney cupcakes, and kids will also have fun colouring in our chimney cupcake template to wrap around their decorated creations. Try more Christmas cupcake ideas for kids.