Intro:
These gingerbread ornaments are a real treat—just don't try to eat them! Children will
create their own version of the classic gingerbread person. Encourage creative use of
materials so that they can express their individuality through their ornaments.
 

Set Up Ideas:
It might be a good idea to work over art trays with this activity to help keep messes to a
minimum. Provide different colors of glitter for children to choose their favorite.
 

Let’s Get Started:
No baking required for these gingerbread ornaments! The ingredients and supplies
needed include construction paper, wiggly eyes, a small strip of yarn, glitter, scissors, glue
and a one-hole punch. Of course, you are welcome to add any other decorative materials
of your choosing.

Tips and Tricks:

Working over art trays will help to avoid messes involving glue and glitter. For a totally
mess-free craft, try using self-adhesive eyes and collage materials for decorating the
gingerbread character.
 

Follow up Activity:
Create a gingerbread house for your gingerbread person to live in! Decorate a brown sheet
of construction paper with puffy white foam paint and colorful collage materials.

Don't feel constrained to creating a gingerbread man—your gingerbread character can
be any gender you like! Allow children freedom in designing the decorations on their
gingerbread person and ask them about their choices.

Steps:

1. Draw the shape of a gingerbread person onto brown construction paper and then cut out
   the whole shape.
2. Begin bringing your gingerbread person to life by gluing wiggly eyes and a small piece of
   yarn for a mouth onto the face.
3. Add designs onto the gingerbread person with glue and then sprinkle glitter on top. Allow
   the glue to dry.
4. Use a one-hole punch to add a hole on the top of the head. Then, loop a piece of yarn
   through and tie the ends together for easy hanging.