Life-size Gingerbread House
Big Build with even Bigger Energy
The Set Up
Start with structure. We build our houses from large, flat cardboard panels rather than boxes, but whatever you have on hand ready for recycling is great. Four walls and two roof pieces is plenty. Keep it simple! The magic comes later.
Use Makedo scrus and tools to assemble the walls and roof. They hold firmly but can be undone and adjusted, which means kids can problem-solve as they build instead of you fixing everything with tape or hot glue. It also keeps the structure standing once the decorating frenzy begins.
Set up a second area for “candy making.” This is where the ChompSaw earns its keep. Cardboard candy shapes cut fast and clean. Strips, circles, scallops, zig zags, stars. Make a pile of shapes ahead of time for inspiration, and then the kids will cut more out as ideas grow.
The Making
Paint the house first. Think gingerbread base, then icing details that might look good enough to eat. I also picture Hansel and Gretel here, but any Holiday Cottage Core is great! Roof lines, window frames, door borders, dripping edges. Big brushes and rollers keep the energy flowing (depending on how big your structure is!).
Once the base is dry enough to touch, bring in the candy. Kids attach cardboard shapes with makedo or tape or glue and paint over the top, layering colour, pattern and texture.
Materials
Large flat cardboard sheets
Makedo screws and connectors
ChompSaw for cutting shapes
Poster paint plus white
Large brushes, rollers, sponges
Tape or PVA glue
Drop sheets (plastic backed)
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Life-size Gingerbread House
Big Build with even Bigger Energy
Bookmark
Installations
The Set Up
Start with structure. We build our houses from large, flat cardboard panels rather than boxes, but whatever you have on hand ready for recycling is great. Four walls and two roof pieces is plenty. Keep it simple! The magic comes later.
Use Makedo scrus and tools to assemble the walls and roof. They hold firmly but can be undone and adjusted, which means kids can problem-solve as they build instead of you fixing everything with tape or hot glue. It also keeps the structure standing once the decorating frenzy begins.
Set up a second area for “candy making.” This is where the ChompSaw earns its keep. Cardboard candy shapes cut fast and clean. Strips, circles, scallops, zig zags, stars. Make a pile of shapes ahead of time for inspiration, and then the kids will cut more out as ideas grow.
The Making
Paint the house first. Think gingerbread base, then icing details that might look good enough to eat. I also picture Hansel and Gretel here, but any Holiday Cottage Core is great! Roof lines, window frames, door borders, dripping edges. Big brushes and rollers keep the energy flowing (depending on how big your structure is!).
Once the base is dry enough to touch, bring in the candy. Kids attach cardboard shapes with makedo or tape or glue and paint over the top, layering colour, pattern and texture.
Materials
Large flat cardboard sheets
Makedo screws and connectors
ChompSaw for cutting shapes
Poster paint plus white
Large brushes, rollers, sponges
Tape or PVA glue
Drop sheets (plastic backed)
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Thoughts?
Would love to hear if youv'e tried this or have any ideas on how to make it even better!
