I baked with my kids, and now, with my 14 grandkids. Every year, around Christmas time, we have a Cookie Day with Nana. I make the dough, they do the cutting, baking, and, oh, yes, the decorating. Each child get to take home the ones that he/she decorated. And, boy do we have some creative decorations. They are allowed to make whatever messes they need to, but they also have to help clean up afterwards. This gives me time to spend, creating memories for my grandkids, and the moms all get some cookies they didn't have to make. Win-win, all around.