Paper gingerbread house craft template
Color paper walls, fold the tabs and add a roof to make a small Christmas house. The decorating cards above give children ideas for candy-striped walls, paper shingles and cotton-ball snow. Below are proposed piece sizes, assembly instructions and preparation notes for eight children.
What you can print here: decorating cards, instructions and blank planning notes. This page does not include a measured two-page cutting template or a printed test square. You will need a separate cutting template or adult-prepared pieces before children can assemble the house. Review the measurements below and try one house before preparing the full set.
Check the paper and piece sizes
The proposed house has a 4-by-3-inch footprint and a 5-inch peak. Start with 65 lb cardstock for a trial build. The original plan assigns walls to one letter-size page and the roof and details to a second, but that cutting layout is not included here. Printing these instructions will not produce pieces at those sizes.
If your separate template includes a 1-inch test square, print at 100 percent or Actual Size, measure every side and check that it is exactly 1 inch. Avoid Fit to Page when the template requires exact dimensions. If the square is wrong, check the print settings and repeat the test before making copies; a fixed percentage adjustment will not suit every printer.
| Part | Proposed measurements | What to check before making copies |
|---|---|---|
| Front and back walls | Two walls, each 4 inches wide with a 3-inch rectangular wall and a triangular gable rising another 2 inches | Each complete wall reaches 5 inches at the peak |
| Side walls | Two rectangles, each 3 by 3 inches | Match the 3-inch wall height |
| Roof panels | Two rectangles, each 3.5 by 3.5 inches | Check the ridge, overhang and glue contact on the trial house |
| Door | 1.25 by 2 inches, with a rounded top | Attach flat to the front wall |
| Windows | Two 1-inch squares per side wall, or a 1-by-2-inch double window on a front wall | Choose the arrangement before counting separate pieces |
| Chimney | A 1.5-inch square with a 0.25-inch bottom tab | This is a flat chimney detail; no folded chimney box is specified |
| Wall and door tabs | The source specifies 0.5-inch tabs | Include the tabs when drawing or checking the cutting shapes |
| Roof tabs | T5 and T6 along the gable slopes | The supplied description does not show their exact shape or extent |
These are dimensions to review, not a tested cutting pattern. The separately attached windows also mean the original “nine pieces” description is not a dependable count. Count the parts in the template you actually use.
On a cutting template, solid lines indicate cuts and dashed lines indicate folds. Do not cut along the fold lines. The source also mentions wall-base folds without showing their shape; check those against your actual pattern before cutting.
How to assemble the house
Use the tab map to check where each joint belongs. Label adult-prepared pieces before handing them out if your cutting template does not already include labels.
| Tab | Where it attaches |
|---|---|
| T1 | First side wall to the inside of the front-wall corner |
| T2 | First side wall to the inside of the back-wall corner |
| T3 | Second side wall to the opposite front-wall corner |
| T4 | Second side wall to the remaining back-wall corner |
| T5 and T6 | Roof attachments along the gable slopes; confirm the contact points on the trial build |
| T7 | Chimney bottom tab to a roof panel, half an inch from the ridge |
| T8 | Door patch to the front wall, below the double window if you use one |
- Cut and identify the pieces. Keep each house’s walls, roof and details together. The original estimate allows about six minutes for cutting, but pre-cut parts or extra help will change that.
- Fold the tabs. Fold corner tabs inward and roof-support tabs outward as the pattern shows. The original estimate allows about two minutes for folding; try the actual pieces first.
- Attach the front wall. Glue T1 and T3 to the two inside front corners, joining one side wall to each corner.
- Attach the back wall. Glue T2 and T4 to its inside corners to close the four-wall box. Keep the walls upright while the joints begin to hold.
- Add the roof. Bring the roof panels together at the peak and attach them to the gable tabs. Check that both panels have enough glued contact to stay in place before releasing them.
- Add the flat details. Attach the door with T8 and glue the chosen windows flat to the walls.
- Attach the chimney. Glue T7 to the roof half an inch from the ridge.
- Support the joints and set the house aside. Use clothespins where they fit without bending the pieces. Follow your glue’s directions and check the trial house before deciding when children can add more decorations.
The source suggests pressing each joint for 30 seconds and allowing a 20-minute rest. Treat those as starting points for a trial, not guaranteed setting times. Record how long your glue and cardstock need, including any further drying after decoration.
Color the pieces or add glue-on decorations
Color before cutting when you want children to decorate flat pieces. Try candy stripes around the wall edges, yellow windowpanes or curved shingles on the roof. Younger builders can color prepared pieces while an adult handles difficult cuts. Write each child’s name inside the back wall before assembly.
Add decorations after assembly when children want raised details. Use thin white-glue lines for pretend icing, then add paper shingles, cotton-ball snow or the raisins, O cereal and mini pretzels suggested on the cards. Set the house aside again if the new glue needs time to dry.
The cards that mention a path or snow-covered yard use a separate paper base, not an included yard piece. Cut one from extra paper if you want that detail, or skip those cards.
Anything attached with craft glue is part of the model, not a snack. Keep food away from the decorating supplies and use craft-party food planning to arrange a separate eating break. For houses guests can eat, see the gingerbread-house decorating party instead.
Get the craft table ready for eight children
You can group supplies into four areas—coloring, cutting and folding, assembly, and glue-on decorating—without sending children through them out of order. Two groups of four can work through the same steps with help, or everyone can stay seated while you bring out the next supplies. Use craft-party activity planning to decide which steps guests can do themselves.
- Obtain or prepare the cutting pieces and build a complete sample before making eight sets.
- If the chosen cutting template uses two sheets per house, prepare 16 letter-size sheets for eight children plus four sheets for two practice sets: 20 sheets total. Allow extra paper for optional bases.
- Put out eight sets of pieces and eight crayon tubs, or arrange crayons so everyone can reach them.
- Prepare the difficult gable and tab cuts, and put two pairs of adult scissors at the cutting area. Arrange additional help and suitable scissors if guests will cut their own pieces.
- Put four glue bottles and 24 clothespins at the assembly area. Check on the sample whether three clothespins per house are enough for the joints you need to support.
- For glue-on decorating, set out two glue pens, cotton balls, eight small pretzel portions and two bowls each of raisins and O cereal if you use those materials.
- Keep a sample folded tab and the tab map beside the assembly supplies.
- Write names on house sets and prepare a labeled tray or cookie sheet for drying. Check that all eight houses fit; add another tray if needed.
- Prepare the drying-break game and put its materials away from the wet houses.
- Set aside eight 6-inch paper plates, tape and grocery bags if you will use the source’s take-home packing method. Try the packing arrangement with the sample house first.
Notes to print and fill in
| Detail | Your notes |
|---|---|
| Cutting template or prepared-pieces source | ______________________________ |
| Number of builders | ______________________________ |
| Sheets and spare sets needed | ______________________________ |
| Coloring or glue-on decorating | ______________________________ |
| Adult helping with cutting | ______________________________ |
| Adult helping with assembly | ______________________________ |
| Glue and cardstock used in the trial | ______________________________ |
| Time before the trial house could be decorated | ______________________________ |
| Extra drying time after decoration | ______________________________ |
| Drying trays and take-home supplies | ______________________________ |
Keep a helper copy with the supplies. The printable party games guide explains which setup notes belong with the host rather than in a guest message.
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An example 90-minute craft session
This is an illustrative schedule with parts prepared and adult help available. It gives every child the steps in order and includes a 20-minute drying break. Adjust it after your trial build; the drying break may need to be longer.
- 2:00–2:15 · Color the flat pieces — 15 minutes. Write names inside the back walls and let children try a pattern card.
- 2:15–2:30 · Cut and fold — 15 minutes. Help with the remaining cuts, fold the tabs and check that each set is complete.
- 2:30–2:45 · Assemble the houses — 15 minutes. Join the walls, add the roof and details, and support the joints.
- 2:45–3:05 · Leave the houses to dry — 20 minutes. Move to a prepared game or a separate snack table. Check the joints before returning the houses.
- 3:05–3:20 · Add decorations — 15 minutes. Use glue-on cards if the houses are ready, or finish drawn details without adding wet glue.
- 3:20–3:30 · Display the houses and prepare for pickup — 10 minutes. Take a village photo if you want one. Pack only houses that are ready to move; allow more drying time when needed.
Total: 90 minutes. The final ten minutes are for display and pickup preparation, not a promise that newly glued decorations will be dry. Arrange the finish time around the result of your trial.
Keep track of drying houses
| Builder | Assembly finished | Checked before decorating | Ready to pack |
|---|---|---|---|
| __________________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
| __________________ | __________ | __________ | __________ |
For the ride home, place each house on a 6-inch paper plate and secure the plate inside a grocery bag without pressing the bag against the roof. Check that the house fits and can be moved before packing it.
More Christmas crafts and table games
Choose one activity for the drying break and prepare it before guests arrive. Christmas picture bingo includes a blank board and text calls; add the matching pictures beforehand if children will play by pictures. Christmas word-game sheets suit readers, with a word-search grid that also needs advance preparation.
If guests want to move after sitting, use Christmas acting cards, keeping the houses on their drying trays. The Christmas family games guide offers other seated and movement games to choose from.
An early finisher could make Christmas paper chains for a backdrop using strips you have prepared. For a separate character craft, Christmas paper puppets use lunch bags and instruction cards; prepare their own supply tray rather than mixing the pieces with the house sets.
For the rest of the gathering, party food ideas can help you decide what to serve, and seasonal party ideas offers other formats if you decide against a craft session.
Questions about the paper house craft
Does this page print a two-page cutting template?
No. It prints decorating cards, instructions and planning notes. The proposed house dimensions are listed above, but the measured cut-out shapes and test square are not included. Use a separate cutting template or adult-prepared pieces and test a complete house before preparing the group sets.
How big is the proposed house?
The proposed footprint is 4 by 3 inches, with 3-inch walls and a peak 5 inches above the base. The roof panels are each 3.5 by 3.5 inches. Check the actual pattern and trial build before treating those dimensions as a finished printable design.
Can children cut the pieces themselves?
Give children the steps they can manage and help with the rest. Straight walls may be easier than gable peaks and small tabs. Younger children can color prepared pieces and add decorations while an adult prepares difficult cuts. Try the pieces with your child beforehand rather than relying on an age alone.
How long does the glue need to dry?
The original plan allows a 20-minute rest before decorating and mentions overnight curing. Actual times depend on the glue, amount used and materials. Follow the product’s directions, test the sample house and allow further drying after adding glue-on decorations.
What if more than eight children come?
Prepare one complete piece set per builder and count paper from the template you actually use. For 12–16 children, add cutting and assembly help, decorating supplies and drying trays. Do not assume the larger group can finish on the same schedule; try the steps and adjust the session.
Can children eat the decorations?
Not after they have been attached with craft glue. Treat the decorated house as a model. Keep snacks at a separate table and have children wash their hands before eating.