How to Make a Gingerbread House
Making a gingerbread house with graham crackers is one of the best holiday traditions there is.
It is a deliciously creative, fun filled activity that is perfect for all ages.
So, gather the family, call on a few friends and neighbors, and get ready to have a building party!
This easy graham cracker gingerbread house activity is sure to take the cake this holiday season!
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How to Make a Gingerbread House: Getting started…
There are a few basic steps to making a gingerbread house.
To begin, it should probably resemble a house of sorts.
The style?
Up to you.
It is also kind of a big deal that it stays together…at least long enough to get a picture!
Last, but not least, it should taste good because all the best gingerbread houses are 100% edible!
While these few factors are key, the most important element to making a gingerbread house out of graham crackers is to HAVE FUN!
Let’s get to it!
What You’ll Need to Make a Gingerbread House:
- graham crackers (approximately 4 per house)
- royal icing
- cardboard or paper plate
- serrated knife (adult handling only)
- cutting board
- disposable sandwich baggies (1 per person)
- assorted candy and snacks
Make sure you have all your supplies before you begin.
Once you have everything you need, you can either dive right in and start building or sketch your design out first if you want to be detailed and precise.
How to make a gingerbread house out of graham crackers
Step 1: Graham Cracker Selection
Grab your graham crackers.
Now, while any brand of graham cracker will do, we must say, that sometimes the inexpensive graham crackers just don’t hold up as well when building.
They may crack and break more easily, which can make constructing your gingerbread house a bit challenging.
Step 2: Shape The Graham Crackers
With that said, take 2 graham crackers and break or cut them in half making 4 squares.
Take 2 more graham crackers cut the top 2 corners off each one, making them identical.
You should now have 4 square crackers, 2 house-shaped crackers, and some smaller graham pieces to snack on!
Yum!
Step 3: Royal Icing Like a Boss
Next, get your royal icing and a sandwich bag.
If you’re not familiar with royal icing, it’s amazing.
It’s basically edible glue.
Royal icing hardens when it dries, unlike typical frosting, and will hold your house together like no other.
To use royal icing, take a bit, and put it in a sandwich bag.
Snip off the corner of the bag, and now the icing can be piped where needed.
Step 4: Assembly Madness
Using your paper plate or cardboard piece as a base, start assembling your gingerbread house.
You can either go freehand or use the help of a small box or mini milk carton as a frame for your house.
Begin by setting up the walls first.
“Glue” the graham crackers together with the royal icing.
(Hint: It helps to adhere the walls to the paper plate or cardboard piece with icing, as well. It’s not necessary, but it will make decorating easier.)
Now that the walls are up, wait a few minutes for the icing to set and harden.
Once the base of your gingerbread house seems secure, you can attach the roof with more royal icing.
Step 4: Time to decorate!
There is only one rule to decorating your gingerbread house and that is that everything must be edible.
So, gather your favorite candy, snacks, and whatever else you can think of and get started!
Sweets we like to use include gumdrops, licorice, candy canes, pretzels, and chocolate chips.
Use the royal icing to “glue” on your tasty treats or use the icing to draw on doors, windows, shingles, and more!
BE CREATIVE!
