{"id":169,"date":"2024-11-08T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-11-08T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/2015\/12\/gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids.html"},"modified":"2024-12-05T14:06:13","modified_gmt":"2024-12-05T19:06:13","slug":"gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids\/","title":{"rendered":"Candy Free Gingerbread House Ideas for Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Love decorating <a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/50-gingerbread-activities-for-kids\/\">gingerbread houses<\/a>, but don&#8217;t want to have all the sweets in your house? Here are some candy free Gingerbread House Ideas for Kids!<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Gingerbread2BHouse2BIdeas.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Gingerbread2BHouse2BIdeas.jpg\" alt=\"3 Candy-Free Gingerbread Houses that encourage kids to think, create, and build!\" title=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ub-table-of-contents-block ub_table-of-contents\" id=\"ub_table-of-contents-4d497e0a-d800-4756-91ee-1953f991f046\" data-linktodivider=\"false\" data-showtext=\"show\" data-hidetext=\"hide\" data-scrolltype=\"auto\" data-enablesmoothscroll=\"false\" data-initiallyhideonmobile=\"false\" data-initiallyshow=\"true\"><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header-container\" style=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-header\" style=\"text-align: left; \">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-title\">Candy Free Gingerbread House Design Ideas<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-extra-container\" style=\"\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"ub_table-of-contents-container ub_table-of-contents-1-column \">\n\t\t\t\t<ul style=\"\"><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids\/#1-1-play-dough-gingerbread-houses-ideas-for-kids\" style=\"\">1. PLAY-DOUGH Gingerbread Houses Ideas for Kids<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids\/#2-2-craft-paper-gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids\" style=\"\">2. Craft Paper Gingerbread House Ideas for Kids<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids\/#3-3-cardboard-gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids\" style=\"\">3. Cardboard Gingerbread House Ideas for Kids<\/a><\/li><li style=\"\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids\/#4-bonus-idea-diy-life-sized-gingerbread-house-\" style=\"\">BONUS IDEA:  DIY Life Sized Gingerbread House<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"0-candy-free-gingerbread-house-design-ideas\">Candy Free Gingerbread House Design Ideas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A bonus is that all of these ideas are great ways to bring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into your play and learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Affiliate links to gingerbread house supplies. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-1-play-dough-gingerbread-houses-ideas-for-kids\">1. PLAY-DOUGH Gingerbread Houses Ideas for Kids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Using play-dough is a great way for children to practice constructing a basic house shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><u>Math learning objects:<\/u><br> <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make shapes that are equal to each other.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a ruler for measurement.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Measure exact amounts in inches or centimenters. (older children)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Materials Needed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Play-Doh<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rolling Pin<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ruler<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Play-Doh Tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Roll the dough into flat slabs. Then cut the slabs into gingerbread house pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><i>&lt;hint&gt; smaller may be easier! <\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They will need to cut our enough for<br>\n2 side walls<br>\n2 end walls<br>\n2 triangles and<br>\n2 roof slabs.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/3-14.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/3-13.jpg\" alt=\"Gingerbread House Ideas for Kids - PLAYDOUGH houses!\" title=\"\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>2. Assemble the house. Squeeze Play Dough together at the size to connect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>*** This will be the most frustrating phase as the pieces of the house will most likely not fit together as children first imagined.&nbsp; Don&#8217;t worry&#8230; not getting something the first time encourages children to re-think their ideas. Talk about what is working and what isn&#8217;t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Encourage them to re-roll their slabs and measure if needed to make sure each pair of walls and roof slabs are the same size.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/4-10.jpg\" alt=\"Gingerbread House Ideas for Kids - PlayDoh Houses!\" title=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>3. Decorate with icing (white Play-dough) and candy (colored Play-dough). Gently press to the walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Younger children can decorate before assembling. It is easier to do when the pieces are laying flat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-2-craft-paper-gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids\">2. Craft Paper Gingerbread House Ideas for Kids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Nowadays there is a variety of adorable patterns and colored scrapbook papers for making gingerbread houses.&nbsp; Use some of your stash for this project!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Engineering learning objective. Create a structure out of paper that will stand independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Materials needed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>ruler<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Christmas Scrapbook Paper<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Kids Scissors<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Glue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Markers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Glitter Glue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sequins<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/1PuJT9F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Depositphotos_59724609_original.jpg\" alt=\"http:\/\/amzn.to\/1PuJT9F\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>1. Cut the paper into a large house pattern as shown above OR cut each piece separately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a link to a set of s<a href=\"https:\/\/thecelebrationshoppe.com\/6-free-diy-paper-gingerbread-houses\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">uper cute printable gingerbread patterns <\/a>if you need a quick activity too. This will not get kids measuring and solving engineering challenges, but are fun to make!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each paper gingerbread house will need 2 side walls, 2 end walls, 2 triangles and, 2 roof slabs. Use a ruler to make sure the walls are of equal size.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Decorate the house using markers, glitter glue<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=thedsponit-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B001KW068I\" alt=\"\">, and sequins.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. Fold and glue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-3-cardboard-gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids\">3. Cardboard Gingerbread House Ideas for Kids<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Materials Needed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cardboard box<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B013HO4PP6\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B013HO4PP6&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=thedsponit02-20&amp;linkId=RO3HFDVIZ4Z3W5ZT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Kwik Stix<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Scissor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pencil<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B003W0P2SA\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B003W0P2SA&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=thedsponit02-20&amp;linkId=3KYMZKTKHDNWYEZM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Packaging Tape<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Talk about the gingerbread house design with your child using the cardboard box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. ADULTS: cut the cardboard box (s)<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/1-13.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>3. Tape the pieces together.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/2-11.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>4. Decorate. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/gp\/product\/B013HO4PP6\/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=390957&amp;creativeASIN=B013HO4PP6&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=thedsponit02-20&amp;linkId=RO3HFDVIZ4Z3W5ZT\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Kwik Stix <\/a><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" border=\"0\" style=\"border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;\" src=\"http:\/\/ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com\/e\/ir?t=thedsponit-20&amp;l=as2&amp;o=1&amp;a=B013HO4PP6\" alt=\"\">are a fast drying tempera paint and one of our new favorites. They paint smoothly on cardboard and are dry in less than 2 minutes, making them an easy, lower mess paint option for little ones. See our math project we made with them here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I often times will start the decoration and let my kids take over and create their own house.&nbsp; It is OK for it to look kid-made &#8211; they are kids!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-bonus-idea-diy-life-sized-gingerbread-house-\">BONUS IDEA:  DIY Life Sized Gingerbread House <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Materials Needed <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scrapbook Paper <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contact Paper or Laminent <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Outdoor Playground or Playhouse <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>See the directions here for making a <a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/make-your-own-life-size-gingerbread\/\">Life Sized Gingerbread House with Kids<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/make-your-own-life-size-gingerbread\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/GingerbreadHouseDecorations-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/GingerbreadHouseDecorations-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/GingerbreadHouseDecorations-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/GingerbreadHouseDecorations-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/GingerbreadHouseDecorations-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/GingerbreadHouseDecorations-1-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/GingerbreadHouseDecorations-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"5-more-winter-stem-ideas-from-the-early-childhood-education-team\">MORE Winter STEM Ideas from the Early Childhood Education Team:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/funlearningforkids.com\/snowball-catapult-alphabet-activity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Snowball Catapult Alphabet Activity<\/a> by Mom Inspired Life<br><a href=\"https:\/\/fun-a-day.com\/winter-stem-activity-build-a-snowflake\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Winter STEM Activity &#8211; Build a Snowflake<\/a> by Fun-A-Day<br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.stillplayingschool.com\/2015\/12\/winter-tinker-tray-STEM-kids.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Winter Inspired Tinker Tray<\/a> by Still Playing School<br><a href=\"http:\/\/www.multiples-mom.com\/2015\/12\/Make-Peppermint-Stick-Candy-Cane-Straw.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Make a Peppermint Stick Straw (and Sip Fresh Orange Juice!)<\/a>by Capri + 3<br><a href=\"https:\/\/thepreschooltoolboxblog.com\/winter-stem-activity-for-preschool-evergreen-tree-building-challenge\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Winter STEM for Preschool:&nbsp; Evergreen Tree Construction Challenge<\/a> by The Preschool Toolbox Blog<br><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/gingerbread-house-ideas-for-kids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gingerbread House Construction Ideas<\/a> by The Educators&#8217; Spin On IT<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>For more Gingerbread Activities be sure to visit this resource of <a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/50-gingerbread-activities-for-kids\/\">50+ Gingerbread Activities for Kids<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/50-gingerbread-activities-for-kids\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"735\" height=\"1102\" src=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Gingerbread2BMan2BRoundup.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10700\" srcset=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Gingerbread2BMan2BRoundup.png 735w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Gingerbread2BMan2BRoundup-600x900.png 600w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Gingerbread2BMan2BRoundup-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Gingerbread2BMan2BRoundup-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/12\/Gingerbread2BMan2BRoundup-400x600.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 735px) 100vw, 735px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/50-gingerbread-activities-for-kids\/\"><strong>50+ Gingerbread Activities for Kids&nbsp;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Love decorating gingerbread houses, but don&#8217;t want to have all the sweets in your house? Here are some candy free Gingerbread House Ideas for Kids! Candy Free Gingerbread House Design Ideas A bonus is that all of these ideas are great ways to bring Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math into your play and learning. Affiliate [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":127,"featured_media":3096,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[472,29],"tags":[35,98,86,80,57,82,83,31],"class_list":{"0":"post-169","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts","8":"category-kids-activities","9":"tag-activities-for-preschoolers","10":"tag-activities-for-school-ages","11":"tag-amanda","12":"tag-christmas","13":"tag-creative-crafting","14":"tag-gingerbread","15":"tag-gingerbread-man","16":"tag-winter","17":"entry"},"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Gingerbread2BHouse2BIdeas.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"The Educators Spin On It","author_link":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/author\/theeducatorsspinonit\/"},"mv":{"thumbnail_id":3096,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Gingerbread2BHouse2BIdeas-200x300.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/127"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=169"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/169\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80811,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/169\/revisions\/80811"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3096"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theeducatorsspinonit.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}