Gingerbread House Paper Plate Craft (Free Gingerbread House Template)
When you think of gingerbread houses, chances are you picture sticky icing, gumdrops falling off the roof, and candy that mysteriously disappears while decorating. That’s why the Gingerbread House Paper Plate Craft is the perfect solution for a fun, mess-free holiday activity.
While those sweet creations are a classic part of the season, this easy preschool craft makes it simple to enjoy all the charm without the cleanup.
Paper Plate Gingerbread House Craft
This craft for kids is the perfect way to enjoy all the fun of creating a gingerbread house without dealing with the sticky mess. Additionally, it’s simple enough for preschoolers and kindergarteners, yet engaging enough for older children as well.
By the end, you’ll have an adorable gingerbread house that looks festive on display and provides hours of fun while you build it. And the best part? These are crafts that bring joy without the sticky mess—a win for both parents and teachers.
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Supplies Needed To Make This Gingerbread House Craft:
The beauty of this gingerbread craft lies in its ease of preparation. You probably already have most of the craft supplies at home. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Paper plates (the sturdier the better)
- Brown paint (to give your base that gingerbread look)
- Construction paper in assorted colors
- Cardstock (great for windows, doors, or extra details)
- Scissor
- Glue
- Marker (black or colored for outlining)
- Optional: printables or a free printable template for quick cutouts
If you’d like, you can use a free gingerbread house template or even download a free PDF template that includes shapes for roofs, windows, doors, and chimneys. A template to make your job easier means less prep time and more fun for the kids.
How to Make Your Gingerbread House Paper Plate Craft:
Here’s a step-by-step tutorial to guide you through making your own paper gingerbread masterpiece.
Step 1: Prep Your Base
Take a plate to make the body of your house. Cut off the top third to create a flat roofline. Paint the plate with brown paint to mimic the look of a cookie. Allow it to dry.
Step 2: Add Icing
Using cardstock, cut out wavy white strips that look like decorative edges. Trace the roofline and bottom edges of your plate so the pieces fit nicely. Trim where needed.
Step 3: Sprinkle with Candy
Cut out small rectangles of colorful construction paper. These will be your candy sprinkles.
Assemble them on the white strips with glue.
Step 4: Attach the Roof
Using your gingerbread house template or free cutouts, glue the decorated “icing roof” onto the painted plate.
Step 5: Make a Chimney
Cut a rectangle from red cardstock or construction paper for the chimney.
Add a small white piece to the top for snow. Attach it to the roof.
Step 6: Add Windows and Door
Cut squares and rectangles from cardstock for windows and a door.
Add details with a marker if desired.
This is also an opportunity to personalize your house with your own unique style.
Step 7: Decorate More!
Want to make it extra adorable? Add a gingerbread man, candy canes, or even a little tree cut from green paper. This is where the creativity really shines.
Free Gingerbread House Template
- Keep it less messy by laying out all craft supplies ahead of time.
- Use printables or a free printable template if cutting shapes is too time-consuming.
- Encourage kindergarteners and preschoolers to help with gluing, while older kids can handle more of the cutting.
- Remember that messy little monster moments are part of the fun—keep wipes handy!
- For teachers, pre-cut shapes from cardstock to make classroom time run smoothly.
Why Kids Love This Activity
Kids love anything they can decorate, and this project gives them free rein to do so. They get the satisfaction of creating a gingerbread house with their little helpers, but without the sugar rush (or the sugar crash).
It’s a fun activity that feels just as magical as building a candy house.
Additionally, the process of cutting, gluing, and coloring helps develop fine motor skills while also boosting their confidence. Imagine the pride when your child points to their gingerbread house displayed on the fridge or classroom wall.
Free Printables and Templates
To make things easier, we’ve included a free printable template you can download. This free gingerbread house template consists of the roof, windows, chimney, and more.
It’s an excellent direction for kids who do best with structure.
Whether you use a free printable or design your own, this paper plate craft is flexible enough to work in any setting.
Easy Paper Plate Christmas Crafts For Kids
At this time of year, everyone’s looking for Christmas crafts that feel magical but aren’t overwhelming. This gingerbread house craft for kids checks all the boxes. It’s adorable, festive, and best of all, crafts that bring joy without the sticky mess.
If you’ve ever dreamed of creating the perfect gingerbread house with your little ones, this is the direction you’ve been waiting for. It’s a holiday tradition reimagined into something simple, fun, activity-filled, and stress-free.
And if you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver who might earn a commission by sharing affiliate links to craft supplies, this is a great project to promote—it’s universally loved. It requires only a handful of easy-to-find items.
More Creative Paper Plate Crafts
If you enjoyed the Gingerbread House Paper Plate Craft, here are more fun and imaginative paper plate projects to try.
- Crab Paper Plate Craft – A playful ocean-themed craft featuring a bright red crab.
- Frog Paper Plate Craft – A cheerful frog design that’s easy and fun for kids.
- Star Wars Craft for Kids – A creative project inspired by the Star Wars universe.
- Mickey Mouse Santa Paper Plate Craft – A festive Disney holiday craft perfect for Christmas.
The season for festive memories is here, and what better way to celebrate than with an adorable gingerbread house that’s made of paper instead of cookies?
This project is proof that you don’t need candy or icing to create festive crafts that bring joy. With a few paper plates, some colorful scraps, and a little glue, your kids can make a paper plate gingerbread house they’ll be proud of.
Gingerbread House Paper Plate Craft
Turn a simple paper plate into a cozy paper-plate house (perfect for gingerbread or winter themes). Kids paint the plate for the “walls,” craft a colorful shingle roof and chimney from construction paper, then add cut-out details like doors, windows, and trim. It’s quick to prepare, great for fine motor practice, and easy to customize.
Materials
- Paper plate
- Construction papers (white + assorted colors, incl. red)
- Brown paint
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Glue (glue stick or school glue)
- Marker (black or brown for details)
Instructions
- Shape the house base.
Trim a slight straight edge from the top of the paper plate so the roof will sit flat. Flip the plate face up and paint the entire front brown for the house “walls.” Set aside to dry completely. - Make the roof
Use your roof template to trace a triangle or trapezoid onto white construction paper and cut it out. Cut small, colored rectangles (½–1 in.) from assorted papers and glue them across the roof shape, like shingles, slightly overlapping in rows. - Attach the roof
Run a line of glue along the trimmed top edge of the painted plate and press the roof in place. Hold for a few seconds to allow it to adhere. - Add a chimney
Cut a red rectangle for the chimney. Glue it to the left side of the roof/plate seam so it peeks above the roofline. - Prepare the detail pieces.
Using your template, trace each part onto its matching paper color (e.g., door, doorknob, windows, windowpanes, wreath, trim) and cut them out carefully. - Assemble the details
On a flat surface, assemble layered pieces first—add panes to windows, a knob to the door, berries to a wreath, etc.—so they’re ready to place. - Decorate the house
Glue the finished pieces to the paper-plate base one at a time. Position the door at the bottom center, add windows on either side or above, and then add any trim or wreath. Press gently to secure. - Outline & finish
Use a marker to add bricks to the chimney, stitching on shingles, wood lines to the door, or “icing” trim along the edges. Let everything dry before displaying or hanging.
Optional: Punch a hole at the top and add ribbon for hanging, or add glitter glue along the roof for a frosty sparkle.
