Ways to dine with Santa in Atlanta and other holiday food fun for kids

What did you sleigh?

Sure, your kids may want to leave a plate of cookies and glass of milk on the kitchen counter for Santa, but the milk may spoil and you may be tempted to eat the cookies. Instead, take your kids to breakfast with Santa, sign them up for a culinary class or let them show off creative talents via delectable decorations for gingerbread houses. This holiday season, jingle all the way to the following nine places to have a good time with your kids, take photos and of course, eat really good food. These events will make everyone feel like a kid again.

Nov. 30 – Dec. 2; Dec. 7 – 9; and Dec. 14 – 24: The St. Regis Atlanta will transform into a winter wonderland for tea with Santa, which will have seatings from 1:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Enjoy select teas as well as pistachio and raspberry financiers; double chocolate and peppermint cake; and a s'mores station for children. Santa will make appearances throughout the afternoon and sit with children at their tables. This tea party will be $78; $52 for children ages 4-12; and free for children three and under. Before departing, take photos in front of a life-size gingerbread house in the hotel's lobby entrance constructed with 300 pounds of flour, 100 pounds of sugar, 10 pounds of spice, 70 pounds of shortening, 45 pounds of corn syrup and 16 pounds of molasses. It's also adorned with more than 300 pounds of royal icing, gingerbread figurines, poinsettias and candy. The gingerbread house will be on display until Jan. 1, 2019.

88 W. Paces Ferry Road NW, Atlanta. 404-563-7799, stregisatlanta.com.

Saturdays, Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22: Get creative in the kitchen during a gingerbread house-making session at Vino Venue. Kids and adults will receive a gingerbread house to show off their holiday-themed creativity. Guests will also learn how to make royal icing. A special children's menu will be available. Sessions are held at noon and 3 p.m. Tickets are $39.99.

4478 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 770-668-0435, vinovenue.com.

Saturdays, Dec. 8 and 15: Savor your sit-down with Old Saint Nick over a brunch buffet from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Local Three. Guests will be able to take photos with their personal cameras or opt for a professional digital download photo, which will be free with brunch. A seat at the table will be $39.93; $19.93 for kids ages 6-12; and free for children under five. Reservations suggested.

3290 Northside Parkway NW, Atlanta. 404-968-2700, localthree.com.

Sunday, Dec. 9: It's a house party, and children of all ages will be invited to participate in a hands-on gingerbread house workshop beginning 11 a.m. at Davio's Northern Italian Steakhouse. Each participating child will receive one gingerbread house with decorations plus lunch. Tickets are $55 for children; adult admission is free. Call the restaurant for reservations. Additionally, guests may also have fun and do good by bringing an unwrapped toy to be donated to North Atlanta Toys for Tots.

3500 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 404-844-4810, davios.com.

Sunday, Dec. 9: Head to Der Biergarten for A Very Merry Pajama Party featuring complimentary hot drinks, a letters-to-Santa station, ornament arts and crafts and photos with Santa at 11 a.m. Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas. Additionally, toys will be collected for a toy drive for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. This event is free; no reservations required.

300 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta. 404-521-2728, derbiergarten.com.

Sundays, Dec. 9 and 16: Fill bellies with ho ho home-made goodness during a Santa brunch featuring chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese and wedge fries for kids beginning 11 a.m. at the Livingston Restaurant + Bar. Adults can indulge in fried chicken as well as rock shrimp and diver scallops with andouille sausage, roasted corn and onions in a seafood broth. Traditional faves such as scrambled eggs, waffles, bacon, chicken sausage patties and biscuits will also be available to all. For desserts, guests will indulge in assorted cookies and cupcakes. Professional photos with Santa will be $5. A seat at this festive affair will be $30; $15 for children 4 – 12 years old; and complimentary for children three years old and under. Email info@thegeorgianterrace.com or call the restaurant for reservations.

The Georgian Terrace, 659 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-897-5000, livingstonatlanta.com.

Dec. 15 and 16: Enjoy breakfast, face painting and holiday characters. Wait for Santa's arrival (in a City of Atlanta fire truck) under the flurry of snow machines. Tickets are $45 per person; children 2 and under are free.

Buckhead Diner, 3073 Piedmont Road NEm Atlanta. 404-262-3336, buckheadrestaurants.com/restaurant/buckhead-diner/

Sunday, Dec. 16: At Hugo's Oyster Bar in Roswell, celebrate the holidays with a three-course breakfast, face painting and photos with Santa, Rudolph and the Nutcracker Ballerina at 9 a.m. A seat at the table will be $29.95 and $14.95 for children. Click here to make a reservation.

10360 Alpharetta St., Roswell. 770-993-5922, hugosoysterbar.com.

Sunday, Dec. 16: Children will learn how to mix, roll and cut out sugar cookies during a holiday cookie decorating class just for them at Sur La Table! The fun will begin at 1 p.m. and burgeoning pastry chefs ages 8 – 12 will decorate cookies with colorful icing and more in a variety of holiday shapes. Kids will enjoy generous portions of their creations too. Tickets are $55; registration is required.

Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 404-973-3371, surlatable.com.