How to Make a Cardboard Gingerbread House Craft for Kids

Get creative this holiday season with a cute and easy cardboard gingerbread house craft for kids of all ages (even adults). Requiring only a few supplies for a beautiful Christmas craft.

Creating holiday decorations doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated, and a cardboard gingerbread house craft is a perfect example of an easy, budget-friendly project that can bring festive joy to your home. Put those shipping boxes to use!

Whether you’re looking to make personalized ornaments, fridge magnets, or simply a fun decoration for your mantel, this craft project is a wonderful way to embrace the holiday spirit. With just a few simple supplies, you can create a charming gingerbread house look-alike that can be customized to fit your style.

In this blog post, you’ll learn how to make your very own cardboard gingerbread house craft, explore creative variations, and get answers to common questions. This easy-to-follow guide will also show you different ways to use your finished craft, and provide tips to ensure the final result is perfect for your holiday decor.

Why You’ll Love This Project

1. Budget-Friendly and Eco-Friendly: One of the best parts about this cardboard gingerbread house craft is that it’s both affordable and eco-friendly. Most of us have extra cardboard boxes lying around especially at Christmastime, and instead of tossing them, you can upcycle them into a delightful holiday decoration. You don’t need to spend a lot on fancy craft supplies—just a bit of paint, glitter, and glue, and you’re good to go. It’s the perfect project for a frugal yet festive holiday!
2. Creative Customization: The cardboard gingerbread house craft is highly customizable. Whether you prefer a classic gingerbread design or a more modern twist, this craft allows you to express your creativity. Kids can get involved too, designing their own gingerbread house creations with different paint colors and decorations. You can make your gingerbread houses as simple or intricate as you like, giving each one a unique personality. It’s a craft that will surely bring smiles and holiday cheer to your family and friends.

How to Make a Cardboard Gingerbread House Craft

Now that you’re excited about this project, here’s a step-by-step guide to making your cardboard gingerbread house craft:

Supplies:

Here is everything you will need to gather for this craft, although feel free to add more colors, or extras to decorate your Christmas houses.

• Cardboard cut into rectangles
• Paint Marker (white or any other colors) — if you don’t have a paint pen handy, you can use white paint and a paintbrush
• Craft Glue — white school glue can work too.
• White Glitter
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut Out the Shape: Start by cutting out rectangular shapes from a piece of cardboard. You can make your houses as large or small as you’d like. After cutting the rectangle, cut one short end into a point to create the roof shape.
2. Outline in Paint: Using a white paint marker (or any color of your choice), outline the edges of the house. Draw in details like the door, roof shingles, windows, and add decorative elements like hearts, dots, flowers, or even little trees beside the house.
3. Trace with Glue: Next, carefully trace over the painted outlines with craft glue. This step will give your house a raised, icing-like texture. Be sure to do this step slowly to ensure neat and precise lines.
4. Add Glitter: Hold your gingerbread house over a trash can or a piece of paper and sprinkle white glitter generously over the glue. The glitter will stick to the glue, giving your gingerbread house the appearance of being dusted with sugar or snow. Once you’ve applied enough glitter, carefully shake off the excess.
5. Let It Dry: Allow your cardboard gingerbread houses to dry fully. This step might take a few hours depending on how much glue and glitter you used.
6. Finish with Accessories: Once your houses are dry, you can add additional details such as a loop of string to hang them as ornaments, attach magnets for fridge decor, or simply leave them as they are to display around your home.

Variations for the Craft

When it comes to the cardboard gingerbread house craft, there’s a world of possibilities for how you can switch things up to make your creation unique. Here are some variations to try:

1. Colorful Houses: While traditional gingerbread houses are typically brown with white icing details, don’t be afraid to experiment with color! Use colorful paint markers instead of just white to add a playful touch to your house. Brightly colored doors, rainbow rooftops, and polka-dotted walls can add a whimsical flair.
2. Use Different Shapes: Instead of the classic gingerbread house shape, try cutting out different architectural styles. You could create a tall, narrow house, a rounded cottage, or even a gingerbread skyscraper! Adding different roof styles, such as slanted or curved, can also add character to your cardboard creations.
3. Decorate with Additional Materials: Aside from paint and glitter, you can also add other craft materials to your gingerbread house for extra texture and dimension. Use felt for soft rooftops, add tiny pom-poms to represent holiday lights, or glue on sequins for a shiny, candy-like effect. You can also use patterned scrapbooking paper to cover sections of the house for a patchwork design.
4. Less Mess Option: If you prefer not to use loose glitter in your crafting as it can make a bit of a mess, add glitter glue on top of the drawn on designs for the look of glitter without as much mess.

Common Questions About the Cardboard Gingerbread House Craft

1. What kind of cardboard works best?
   It’s best to use corrugated cardboard for this project because it’s sturdy and holds its shape well. You can cut pieces from shipping boxes or use the cardboard from large product packaging. Thin cardboard, such as cereal boxes, might not be as durable but can work if you’re creating smaller houses.
2. Can I use something other than glitter?
   Yes! If you prefer to avoid glitter, you can use white puffy paint or even small white pom-poms to mimic the look of snow or icing. You could also cut out snowflake shapes from white paper or use cotton balls to create fluffy snow on the roof.
3. How long do these houses last?
   With proper care, your cardboard gingerbread houses can last for several seasons. Be sure to store them in a dry place and avoid squishing them under heavier items. You can also add a coat of clear spray sealant to help protect the paint and glitter from wear and tear.
4. Can I use hot glue instead of craft glue?
   Yes, hot glue works well for adhering details, especially if you’re adding heavier decorations like buttons or beads. However, be careful when using hot glue on cardboard, as too much heat could cause the cardboard to warp.

How to Use the Cardboard Gingerbread House Craft

Your finished cardboard gingerbread house craft can be used in various fun and festive ways around your home. Here are some popular options:

1. Ornaments: Attach a loop of string to the back of the cardboard houses to turn them into holiday ornaments. These lightweight houses will look fantastic hanging from your Christmas tree. You can even personalize them with family members’ names for a meaningful touch.
2. Fridge Magnets: Stick a small magnet to the back of your cardboard gingerbread house, and you’ve got a cute, homemade fridge magnet. These gingerbread magnets are perfect for holding up holiday cards, photos, or reminders in the kitchen.
3. Holiday Garland: String several cardboard gingerbread houses together with a piece of twine or other garland to create a charming holiday garland. Drape the garland across your mantel, staircase, or doorway for an extra pop of festive decor.
4. Table Centerpiece: Arrange a few of your cardboard gingerbread houses on your holiday table or mantel for a fun and easy centerpiece. Add in other holiday decorations, such as mini trees or candles, to complete the look.
5. Gingerbread Village: Make a complete holiday village of gingerbread houses. Make a variety of houses like a post office, a bank, stores, and more to create a whole town of gingerbread houses out of cardboard.

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Cardboard Gingerbread House Craft

Make a festive gingerbread house craft with a few simple supplies. Perfect for all ages.

Materials

• Cardboard
• Paint Marker
• Craft Glue
• White Glitter
• Scissors

Instructions

• Carefully cut out rectangle shapes from a piece of cardboard.
• Cut one short end into a point to make a roof shape.
• Using the white paint marker, outline the house in white paint.
• Using that same paint marker, draw on a door, roof, windows, and little bits of detail like hearts, dots, and trees.
• Carefully trace over the white paint with a bottle of craft glue.
• Over the trash can, pour white glitter on top of the cardboard gingerbread house and carefully shake off the excess into the can or over a piece of paper.
• Let the gingerbread houses dry.
• Now you can add a loop of string to the back for ornaments, stick a magnet on the back for the fridge, or just decorate the house with them.

Conclusion

This cardboard gingerbread house craft is a fun, easy, and festive project that’s perfect for the holiday season. It’s an eco-friendly way to use up leftover cardboard while creating beautiful holiday decor. Whether you’re making ornaments, fridge magnets, or a garland, this craft offers endless possibilities for customization. Plus, it’s a great way to get kids involved in holiday crafting.

If you loved this project, be sure to share it with your friends and family, and let us know in the comments how your gingerbread houses turned out!

More Christmas Themed Crafts:

• Mickey Mouse Santa Paper Plate Craft
• Wood Slice Ornament
• Frosty Mason Jars
• Plaid Bow Ornament
• Gum Sled Ornament

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