Gingerbread houses are always a crowd pleaser and can draw big attendance numbers! Ask your local box store if they can donate kits or at least provide a discount.

Inclusion: Library programming is designed to be fully inclusive. Age limits may be implemented in certain programs to ensure that program content fosters appropriate developmental markers.

Accessibility: This is a high energy activity and the kids will get loud. Set up a small “quiet” room for children who get easily overwhelmed by loud noise.

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Mode: Facilitated

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Staff Energy: High

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Ages: 5+

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Cost: High

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Length: 60 min.

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Ideal Attendance: 10-20

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STEAM Practices:

✓ Art

✓ Engingeering (structure, balance)

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Tags: Food, Kids, Tweens, Teens, Holiday, STEAM

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Credit: Kate Davis

Supplies:

(Commonly on-hand supplies are not included in cost breakdown.)

Gingergread House Kit ($6.99/ea; usually less expensive closer to Christmas)

Baby wipes/paper towels

Scissors

Paper plates

Total Cost: $7/person

Instructions:

Younger kids: decorate away! (You will have already built the houses.)
Older kids: build the house according to directions, then decorate. (Encourage them to help each other hold up walls, etc.)

Staff Know-How

Planning, Set Up & Facilitation

For younger kids, pre-build houses. (Adult volunteers only–teen volunteers are generally too rowdy.)
Cover surfaces with plastic table clothes.
Put a house and its decorations at each place/chair.

Pro-Tips

Parents must stay with younger children!
Decide if you want your program to be drop-in or registration. If drop-in, specify on marketing documents *while supplies last*.
For elementary-aged students, buy pre-built houses or build the houses in advance of the program.
If you have leftover marshmallows, sprinkles or candies from other programs, this is a great time to use them.
On all marketing, specify this is not an allergy-friendly event. Take a picture of the ingredient lists and have them handy if people call about allergies.
Keep the box so kids can transport their house.
Kids’ energy levels will be off the charts!
Contact your local big box retailers to see if they will donate the gingerbread houses. (Walmart has a yearly amount to spend on donations and it’s generally gone by November. But some locations may give you half off instead.)
Make sure to advertise that this is not a gluten-free activity.