How to Make Gingerbread Houses With Kids

Use candy to decorate your gingerbread house.

Here is a cold weather project that is kid-friendly. A gingerbread house is a great project to complete with kids. This project uses pre-made gingerbread squares so that kids can get right to decorating. Each step is able to be completed by kids of all ages as long as there is an adult nearby to supervise and help.

Things You'll Need

• Gingerbread squares
• Ruler
• Milk carton
• Utility knife
• White royal icing
• Candy decorations

Instructions

1. Measure the length of the gingerbread squares with a ruler.

2. Cut your milk carton down to the same height as the measurement of your gingerbread squares using a utility knife (an adult should complete this part). Your milk carton will help stabilize the gingerbread squares so they do not fall in on themselves.

3. Use your royal icing to secure four gingerbread squares to each side of the milk carton. Allow to dry for about five minutes.

4. Use two gingerbread squares to make a roof. Kids Turn Central suggests cutting one gingerbread square in half on a diagonal to form a triangle to attach to the area between the sides and the roof.

5. Use candy decorations such as chocolate pieces, licorice strands, gum drops and sprinkles to decorate your gingerbread house.

6. Allow to dry and use as a seasonal decoration or eat the gingerbread house up.

Tips & Warnings

• Icing piped out of a decorator bag is much easier to use.

• Find pre-made gingerbread squares in the bakery department of your local grocery store.

• Make your own gingerbread squares using your own gingerbread cookie recipe and square shaped cookie cutters.

• You can substitute graham cracker squares for real gingerbread squares for a quick and easy project.

References

• Kids Turn Central: Gingerbread House