Nothing says Christmas quite like building a gingerbread house. But some Pinterest creations look like they require an architecture degree! The good news? You don’t need pro skills (or hours of frustration) to create something fun and festive.
These easy & creative gingerbread house ideas are perfect for:
- Families looking for a holiday activity
- Classrooms wanting a simple, festive project
- Holiday parties that need a fun group craft
They’re simple enough for kids but unique enough to impress. If you want to use a kit, graham crackers, a classic gingerbread house recipe, or no-bake alternatives, there’s something here for everyone.
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Classic & Kid-Friendly Gingerbread Houses
Pro Tip: When making gingerbread houses, choose a recipe that bakes up sturdy and firm. Soft and chewy cookies may taste great, but they won’t support walls and roofs.
1. Colorful M&M Gingerbread House
This simple gingerbread house only requires icing and colorful M&M candies .
2. Graham Cracker Mini Houses
Use graham crackers, gumdrops, and candy to make small gingerbread houses. This is a perfect no-stress gingerbread building activity for classrooms or parties.
3. Milk Carton Base Houses
Make graham cracker houses even easier by gluing the graham crackers to empty milk cartons first for sturdy, kid-proof houses. Teachers love this hack!
4. Gum Gingerbread House
Use gingerbread or graham crackers to assemble a simple house. Then, cut pieces of gum and glue it on to make the siding and the roof. It’s colorful and adorable!
5. A-Frame Gingerbread House
Follow this simple recipe for a great gingerbread cookie recipe and simple house templates for easy construction.
6. Mini Marshmallow Gingerbread House
Use mini marshmallows to decorate with for a soft and snowy look. They are easy to arrange and attach with icing.
7. Glitter Galore!
Adding edible glitter to your gingerbread house gives it an eye-catching and festive sparkle!
8. Candy Roof With Sprinkles
Bright candy and rainbow sprinkles make this gingerbread house pop with cheerful color.
9. Candy Overload House
This tutorial includes tips, tricks, and free gingerbread house templates to make a classic gingerbread cottage. The best part? Cover this house in gumdrops, peppermints, and candy canes. It’s most definitely kid-approved.
10. Wafer Roof House
Use wafer cookies to decorate the roof and colorful candies to decorate this gingerbread house.
Related: Christmas Bucket List Ideas
Creative & Unique Gingerbread House Ideas & Designs
11. Gingerbread Barn
Perfect for animal lovers! Make it easy by adding little animal cookies or toy farm critters.
12. Gingerbread Nativity
Explore the story of the first Christmas with a gingerbread nativity scene. For an easier twist, use small nativity figurines or toys as the characters instead of shaping them from gingerbread.
13. Snowy Ski Lodge
Make an A-framed snowy ski lodge using candy rocks (or regular rocks) for the exterior.
14. Peppermint & Pink
Peppermint candy for shingles and pink frosting give this gingerbread house a fun and modern color scheme.
15. Funfetti House
Try this colorful twist on the classic gingerbread house.
16. Whoville-Inspired House
Make Seuss-style slanted roofs and bright, wacky candy colors with this Whoville-inspired house. And of course, the Grinch himself!
Fun No-Bake Gingerbread House Ideas & Alternatives
17. Chocolate Bar Log Cabin
Stack chocolate bars or wafer cookies like “logs” for a rustic chocolate bar cabin design.
18. Rice Krispie Treat House
Form Rice Krispies treats into house shapes and decorate with icing.
19. Pop-Tart House
Use Pop-Tarts for the house base instead of graham crackers. They’re already frosted and colorful!
Related: Advent Calendar Activities + Free Printable
20. No Bake Cookie Gingerbread Houses
Use rectangular cookies to make these easy no-bake gingerbread houses for kids.
21. Marshmallow Igloo
Follow a simple tutorial to stack marshmallows into a dome with frosting as glue for a gingerbread house alternative.
22. Pretzel Log Cabin
This pretzel log cabin is a fun, no-bake idea for kids to make.
Other Creative Gingerbread House Ideas
23. Gingerbread Snow Globe
Turn your favorite gingerbread cutouts into a sweet scene in a large glass jar layered with sugar in the bottom.
24. Cupcake Gingerbread House
Use cupcakes as the base for tiny houses. Use gingerbread or graham crackers to form the house.
25. Gingerbread Mug Houses
Create the tiniest gingerbread houses that perch on the rim of a mug. They are perfect with hot cocoa!
26. Peppermint Candy House
Move over gingerbread! Check out this awesome tutorial from Food Network on how to easily make this peppermint candy house. A must try this holiday season!
Best Gingerbread Kits For Kids
27. Candy Land Gingerbread Kit
Buy this easy store-bought kit that kids of all ages will love. The pieces come pre-baked and perfectly shaped, with everything included to make assembly quick, easy, and fun.
28. Gingerbread Train
Build a candy-covered train with mini cars. It’s a fun twist on the classic house.
29. E-Z Build Medium Gingerbread House Kit
This E-Z Build Gingerbread Kit includes prebaked gingerbread cookie pieces and an assortment of candy pieces.
30. Mini Elf On The Shelf Gingerbread House Kit
Try out this mini gingerbread house kit for your Elf on the Shelf your kids will love.
Related: 25 Easy Elf On The Shelf Ideas For December
Tips for Family-Friendly Success
- Keep it sturdy: Use royal icing or hot glue (for display-only projects).
- Buy candy in bulk: Or use leftover Halloween candy to save money.
- Prep your workspace: Parchment paper makes cleanup easy, and piping bags help with neat icing.
- Thickness: Keep walls/roof pieces around 1/4 inch thick. Thinner pieces can break easily; thicker pieces take longer to dry.
- Templates: Print or draw your house pieces on paper to use as cutting guides.
- Drying time: Let baked pieces dry overnight if possible so that they become sturdier.
- Make it fun: Focus on memories and creativity over perfection.
What’s Next?
Have fun making memories with your kids this holiday season!
Don’t forget to save these easy Gingerbread House ideas on Pinterest for later!
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