Gingerbread House Day (December 12) celebrates the art of crafting gingerbread houses—a holiday tradition that’s as delicious as it is creative. Gingerbread has a long history in Europe, originating as early as the 16th century. The tradition of building gingerbread houses likely started in Germany, with many attributing its rise in popularity to the Brothers Grimm’s tale of Hansel and Gretel, which featured a house made of sweets.

1. CREATE A MINI GINGERBREAD VILLAGE: Instead of one big house, build a whole village of tiny gingerbread cottages! Kids can use graham crackers or small cookie pieces for walls and experiment with different designs, creating a delightful scene of tiny, colorful homes.

2. GINGERBREAD BUILDING PARTY: Read the story of Hansel and Gretel or other holiday-themed stories while building gingerbread houses. This can add a touch of fairy-tale magic to the building process and inspire kids’ designs!

3. GINGERBREAD HOUSE SCIENCE EXPERIMENT: Try building “gingerbread houses” using other food items like pretzel sticks, marshmallows, or crackers. Have kids test which materials make the strongest or sturdiest houses.

4. EDIBLE NATURE-INSPIRED DECOR: Instead of candy, decorate houses with natural edible items like dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and even popcorn. This gives the houses a rustic, woodland vibe and sparks creativity with alternative decorations.

5. GINGERBREAD STOP-MOTION VIDEO: Have kids take photos of their gingerbread houses in different stages and create a stop-motion video of the building process. It’s a fun way to bring their creations to life!