National Cookie Exchange Day (December 22) encourages people to come together and share their favorite holiday cookies. Cookie swaps were started as a way for people to sample a variety of cookies without baking them all themselves, adding fun and variety to holiday gatherings.

1. INTERNATIONAL COOKIE EXCHANGE: Try cookies from around the world! Bake or buy cookies like Italian pizzelles, Mexican polvorones, or Swedish ginger snaps. Kids can learn about different cultures through their sweets.

2. COOKIE-DECORATING CHALLENGE: Set up a decorating station with frosting, sprinkles, and edible glitter. Kids can create cookie “masterpieces,” and everyone votes for their favorite designs.

3. COOKIE MATH: Kids will remember the time you used cookies for a fun math activity, such as counting, sorting, or even basic addition and subtraction, especially for younger kids. Use area, circumference, etc. for older kids. It’s a tasty way to sneak in some learning.

4. COOKIE GIFT BAGS: Have kids make small bags of cookies decorated with ribbons and tags to deliver to neighbors or friends, teaching the joy of sharing and spreading cheer.

5. MYSTERY COOKIES TASTE TEST: Bake cookies with unusual but safe ingredients (like cinnamon, orange zest, or even a hint of chili) and have kids guess the flavors. It’s a delicious game that gets them curious about taste and spices.