Try this fun “gingerbread” house craft. We’ve even had teens get in on the action with these. After all, what “kid” doesn’t love frosting and candy?
This is not a gluten-free craft, but you can always make it gluten-free by using cardboard as the sides and hot glue as the cement. It won’t be edible, but it would still be fun. (I’ve done it! You can frost cardboard!)
A Gingerbread House Playdate
The day before, you’ll need:
- 4 full size graham crackers per house (or 8 halves). Be sure to have extras on hand, as they often come broken, and cutting the roof cross-pieces can be an exercise in patience.
- Fairly stiff frosting or royal icing. To make it vegan for allergies, we use a half stick of dairy-free margarine, about a pound or so of powdered sugar, roughly 3T of water and 1T vanilla.
The day of the craft, have on hand:
- Plastic cups with frosting (again fairly stiff). Don’t give them too much – they will eat anything they don’t stick to the house.
- Plastic knives or spoons to spread the frosting.
- Little paper cups with a variety of candy in them.
- Plastic table coverings (This is the most important part. Otherwise you’ll be scraping frosting glue off your table for days!)
Prepare your gingerbread houses the night before.
While your boxes harden, cut triangles for the roof cross-sections. You’ll need two triangles per house.
Once the sides are fully cemented (the frosting has hardened), attach your roof cross-pieces. Allow that frosting to harden completely.
Attach your roof pieces (use LOTS of frosting!). Let these harden overnight.
The Day of Your Gingerbread House Playdate
Set your table with plastic tablecloths, little cups with fresh frosting, cups of candy, and plastic spoons or knives. Don’t forget to label your plates so no one loses their decorated house to a friend.
Then, just stand back and let the kids decorate!
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I love this idea of simple and letting it dry overnight so that they’re nice and sturdy for the next day for the crowd. I may need to try this next year. Also thinking of hitting Winco’s bulk food section for all the selection of candies.
Thanks, Lalia! Winco is exactly where we grab our candy. We have so much fun with this every year.