15 Fun Gingerbread Crafts Perfect for the Holiday Season

ByEditorial Staff Updated
Gingerbread Crafts - Guyo's Guide

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Looking for fun gingerbread crafts to try? 

Gingerbread isn’t just for eating—it’s perfect for making creative decorations too! 

From gingerbread houses to cute ornaments, there are tons of ways to get crafty with gingerbread this season. 

Let’s get started!

1. Gingerbread Paper Plate Faces

A photo of a brown-painted paper plate transformed into a charming gingerbread face. Large googly eyes are centered near the top of the plate, creating a friendly expression. A curved, hand-drawn smile sits below the eyes, with small red pom-poms carefully glued on each side as rosy cheeks. A bright green paper bowtie and colorful button stickers give this craft a playful, festive look. Set against a holiday-themed background, the plate glows with the warmth of gingerbread-inspired creativity.

Turn simple paper plates into adorable gingerbread faces! 

Use brown paint for the base, then add googly eyes, pom-poms for cheeks, and a hand-drawn smile. 

Kids can personalize by adding a paper bowtie or tiny buttons made from colorful stickers. 

This craft is easy, affordable, and perfect for all ages, making it a fun activity for classrooms or home holiday decorations.

2. Gingerbread Man Ornaments

A photo of a Christmas tree with gingerbread man ornaments. The ornaments are made from brown foam sheets or cinnamon dough and are decorated with classic "icing" designs in white puff paint. Each gingerbread figure has a wide smile, small round black eyes, and candy-like details such as buttons in red and green. The gingerbread men dangle on delicate red ribbons. The background is a lush Christmas tree with twinkling lights, accentuating the ornament's handcrafted charm.

Create lasting holiday memories with these gingerbread man ornaments! 

Use cinnamon dough or brown foam sheets cut into gingerbread shapes, then decorate with puff paint for “icing.” 

Add glitter and a small ribbon loop for hanging. 

These ornaments smell delightful and add a rustic, handmade touch to any Christmas tree.

3. Gingerbread House Gift Boxes

A photo of a gingerbread house craft gift box painted a rich brown color. The gift box is adorned with white puffy paint in intricate swirls that resemble icing along the edges. The "roof" of the box is dotted with colorful pom-poms to imitate candies, with vibrant reds, greens, and yellows for a candy-coated look. The gingerbread house sits on a table, surrounded by additional holiday trimmings, giving a whimsical, festive touch that's both eye-catching and inviting.

Give small gifts in handmade gingerbread house boxes! 

Start with small cardboard boxes painted brown, then use white puffy paint to mimic icing. 

Stick on colorful beads or pom-poms as candy decorations. 

These unique gift boxes are fun to make and double as decorative pieces under the tree.

4. Gingerbread Playdough

A photo of a craft table with homemade gingerbread-scented playdough. There are thick brown rounds of playdough with gingerbread man shapes cut out. The playdough has a faint shimmer of cinnamon and is dusted with a soft, pliable texture. Children's hands are shown shaping the dough and adding googly eyes, beads, and buttons. The craft is set on a wooden table with tiny bowls of embellishments nearby, showcasing an inviting, sensory experience.

Make gingerbread-scented playdough for a sensory holiday craft! 

Combine flour, salt, water, cream of tartar, and a sprinkle of cinnamon and ginger for a festive aroma. 

Kids can mold it into gingerbread shapes, adding googly eyes and buttons for a personalized touch. 

It’s a hands-on activity that’s as fun as it is fragrant.

How to make the dough:

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup salt
  • 2 tsp cream of tartar
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves (optional for extra holiday scent)

Instructions:

  1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, cream of tartar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Stir well to distribute the spices evenly, so the dough has a uniform color and scent.
  2. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, mix the water and vegetable oil. Heat over low-medium heat, stirring to avoid any sticking.
  3. Cook the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the saucepan, stirring constantly to combine. Continue to cook and stir the dough until it thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 3–5 minutes.
  4. Cool and Knead: Once the dough forms a ball and is no longer sticky, remove it from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Knead the dough until it’s smooth and fully combined.
  5. Store and Enjoy: Keep the dough in an airtight container, and it should last for up to two weeks.

5. Felt Gingerbread Men

A cozy holiday-themed craft with soft, plush gingerbread men made from warm brown felt. Each gingerbread figure is carefully stitched around the edges and stuffed with fluffy material to create a plump, soft shape. The gingerbread men have white felt "icing" accents along their arms and legs, black googly eyes, and cheerful red buttons. The craft is set in a holiday-themed background with colorful fabric swatches and scissors, adding a warm, handmade holiday touch.

Create soft, adorable gingerbread men from felt! 

Cut gingerbread shapes from brown felt and glue or stitch edges, leaving an opening to add a bit of stuffing. 

Decorate with felt “icing,” googly eyes, and mini buttons. 

These make perfect stocking stuffers or tree ornaments, adding a cozy, homemade feel to your holiday decor.

Materials Needed:

  • Brown felt (two pieces for front and back)
  • White puffy paint (for icing details)
  • Black buttons (for eyes)
  • Red buttons (for body buttons)
  • Black embroidery thread (for smile)
  • Needle, brown thread
  • Fiberfill stuffing
  • Scissors
  • Gingerbread man template

Instructions:

  1. Cut Shapes: Trace a gingerbread template onto brown felt twice and cut out both pieces.
  2. Add Face & Buttons: Sew or glue black buttons for eyes near the top of one felt piece. Use black thread to stitch a small smile below the eyes. Add two red buttons down the center for decoration.
  3. Add Icing Details: Use white puffy paint to draw zigzag lines on the arms and legs for icing details. Let the paint dry completely.
  4. Stitch & Stuff: Place the two felt pieces together and sew around the edges using brown thread, leaving a small opening. Stuff with fiberfill to make it plump, then sew the opening closed.

Your felt gingerbread man is ready!

6. Gingerbread Garland

A holiday garland made from gingerbread men crafted out of felt or thick brown paper, strung together with rustic twine. Each gingerbread man in the garland is individually decorated with "icing" outlines and tiny beads as buttons, spaced with colorful red and green beads on the twine. The garland drapes beautifully along a mantle, adding a festive, homemade look that brings warmth and joy to any holiday setup.

Decorate your home with a gingerbread-themed garland! 

Cut gingerbread shapes from thick brown paper or felt, and add paper or fabric “icing” details. 

String the gingerbread characters together on twine with colorful beads in between for a festive touch. 

This garland looks charming draped on mantels or across windows.

7. Gingerbread Cookie Magnets

A photo of gingerbread cookie magnets shaped like mini gingerbread men. The cookies are crafted from salt dough or air-dry clay and are painted in rich brown hues with delicate white icing details. They wear vibrant red or green buttons. The backs of the cookies feature small round magnets, allowing them to be displayed on a fridge. The cookies are set against a white, rustic background with a glimpse of a holiday kitchen. The craft radiates a warm, holiday vibe.

Turn tiny gingerbread cookie shapes into magnets! 

Use salt dough or air-dry clay and cut out small gingerbread men, then paint and decorate. 

Attach a small magnet on the back for a quick kitchen decoration. 

These magnets are a fun, subtle way to bring holiday cheer to your refrigerator or message board.

8. Clothespin Gingerbread Men

A Christmas tree with clothespin ornaments. Each clothespin is painted brown, has googly eyes, and a small button. The clothespin legs are decorated with white icing details. The clothespins are clipped onto the branches of the tree. The background is a beige wall.

Make quirky gingerbread men from clothespins! 

Paint the clothespins brown, add googly eyes and small buttons, and then draw on the icing details with white paint. 

Kids can clip these on gifts or tree branches. 

This craft is quick, and easy, and gives children a fun way to personalize holiday wrapping or decorations.

9. Gingerbread Puzzle Pieces

A holiday-themed table with a craft project. There is a gingerbread-colored puzzle piece painted like a gingerbread man. The piece is decorated with colorful bows and tiny buttons. The edges are defined by white puff paint, which replicates icing. The puzzle piece is set on a holiday-themed table. The background contains small craft supplies like markers, paint, and tiny accessories, highlighting the clever upcycling aspect of the craft.

Transform puzzle pieces into cute mini gingerbread men! 

Paint old puzzle pieces brown and decorate with small bows, buttons, and puff paint for icing. 

Glue a pin or magnet on the back for a wearable or decorative piece. 

It’s a clever way to upcycle and create a unique gingerbread-inspired accessory.

10. Gingerbread Bookmark Buddies

A photo of a stack of gingerbread man-shaped bookmarks made from brown cardstock. Each bookmark has a laminated finish and is decorated with a friendly face, googly eyes, and a bright ribbon bow. The bookmarks are arranged in a neat stack on a cozy background with festive holiday lights and books. The vibrant colors and smiling expressions bring a touch of holiday cheer, perfect for encouraging young readers.

Make reading festive with gingerbread bookmarks! 

Cut out gingerbread shapes from sturdy cardstock, and decorate with colorful markers, googly eyes, ribbons, and laminate for durability. 

These bookmarks are perfect stocking stuffers and encourage kids to keep reading during the holiday break with a little festive spirit.

11. Handprint Gingerbread Art

A photo of a brown handprint gingerbread craft displayed on white paper. Each handprint is decorated with white "icing" lines on the fingers and a cheerful face drawn near the palm. The background is clean and white.

Capture holiday memories with handprint gingerbread art! 

Paint children’s hands brown, press them onto paper and add face and icing details to create a gingerbread man from their handprint. 

Frame these for a memorable keepsake or give them as holiday gifts.

This craft is a heartwarming way to cherish a child’s small handprint year after year.

12. Gingerbread Window Clings

A festive scene of a clear window with puffy fabric paint window clings crafted to resemble gingerbread men. Each cling has white icing outlines, red or green buttons, and smiling faces. The gingerbread men cling to the window. The window is located in a snowy environment, adding to the holiday atmosphere. The sunlight shines through the window, highlighting the intricate designs of the gingerbread men.

Make gingerbread-themed window clings for a holiday vibe in any room! 

Use puffy fabric paint on plastic wrap, creating gingerbread man shapes with cute icing details. 

Once dry, peel and place on windows. They’re easy to move and add a festive look without the hassle of adhesives or cleanup.

13. Gingerbread Snow Globes

A photo of a gingerbread-themed snow globe crafted from a mason jar. The snow globe contains a mini gingerbread figure and is filled with a flurry of glitter and white "snow". The jar lid is securely fastened and decorated with a red ribbon. The snow globe is set on a holiday table with scattered sparkles and tiny decorations. The wintery scene captures the magic of a snow-filled Christmas wonderland.

Craft a gingerbread man “snow globe” using mason jars! 

Place a mini gingerbread figure inside with fake snow and glitter, then secure the lid tightly. 

Flip it upside down to see the gingerbread man in a snowy wonderland. 

These homemade snow globes make lovely gifts or holiday table decorations.

You can buy mason jars on Amazon.

14. Button Gingerbread Men

A photo of a holiday scene with gingerbread men made from sturdy cardboard or thick paper. Each gingerbread man has colorful buttons glued down the center to resemble candy details. The gingerbread shapes are carefully outlined in white puffy paint to mimic icing, and each figure is smiling cheerfully. A mix of bright red, green, and yellow buttons adds a playful and colorful touch to the craft. The background is a festive holiday setting.

Create unique gingerbread decorations with buttons! 

Cut gingerbread shapes from cardboard or thick paper, then glue buttons in bright colors down the front to resemble candies. 

Add googly eyes and a mouth with a marker. 

This easy craft adds a burst of color and is perfect for young children to work on independently.

15. Gingerbread Puppet Show

A holiday-themed play area with colorful lights and gingerbread men puppets. The puppets are created from brown cardstock and have expressive faces drawn on in detail. Each puppet is attached to a popsicle stick, allowing children to hold and manipulate them easily. The puppets are poised for storytelling, making this craft both decorative and interactive.

Bring stories to life with gingerbread puppets! 

Cut gingerbread figures from brown cardstock, then decorate with markers, fabric scraps, and googly eyes. 

Attach popsicle sticks for handles. 

Kids can use these puppets to put on holiday plays or retell classic Christmas stories, making this a craft with endless creative possibilities.

Wrap Up

Gingerbread crafts are a fun way to celebrate the holiday season! 

From making ornaments to baking cookies, these projects let your creativity shine. 

Gather your family and friends to enjoy these activities together. 

Let your imagination run wild and create joyful memories this holiday season. 

Happy crafting!

Gingerbread crafts
Editorial Staff

Our Editorial Staff blends expertise in home decor, crafting, and recipes to create engaging, reliable content that inspires creativity and transforms everyday living.

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