Hey there! I just had the most amazing time setting up a gingerbread house dramatic play area in my preschool classroom! I carried the gingerbread theme throughout my classroom by setting up a gingerbread playdough station and having many different gingerbread activities. Check out our gingerbread adventure and get ideas for your classroom!
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Gingerbread House
So, picture this: I wanted to create a magical space that would spark creativity and engagement, so I decided to make a gingerbread house using cardboard boxes as the base. I covered it with brown paper to give it that classic gingerbread house look. But here’s the fun part—I got my little ones involved by having them paint candies to decorate the house! Can you imagine how adorable that turned out?
But it wasn’t just about decorating; I turned it into a listening activity too! I gathered gingerbread cookies, candy canes, and purple and pink gumdrops. Then, I asked the kids to listen carefully as I described a particular candy and where it should go on the gingerbread house. It was incredible to see their focus and excitement as they placed each candy in the correct spot—they were like little gingerbread house architects!
Gingerbread Play-Dough Station
To keep the gingerbread theme going strong, I set up a gingerbread playdough station using homemade playdough. I included them in making the gingerbread playdough and they loved it. It smelled just like cookie dough and they had a hard time not eating it! The kids had a blast molding their gingerbread creations. I loved watching their imaginations run wild as they crafted their little gingerbread people and houses!
The best part was seeing how this activity encouraged teamwork, communication, and imaginative play. It was heartwarming to witness them working together, sharing ideas, and giggling as they played.
Life-Size Gingerbread
We made life-sized gingerbread cut-outs by tracing my kids’ bodies on brown paper using chalk. After I traced them, I let them paint their eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons and add icing to the hands and feet. Once it dried I cut out their body and hung them up on our windows! They turned out so cute!
Gingerbread Letter Tracing
I made cinnamon-scented rice as a base for my preschoolers to practice tracing their letters. Then, I set out baking sheets on our sensory table and placed my cinnamon rice on the trays. I added the gingerbread letters and included candy canes for them to use as a writing tool. It was really fun to see them use their fingers and the candy canes to practice their writing skills!
The whole experience was a fantastic way to incorporate sensory play, creativity, and learning all in one. I’m already brainstorming ideas for the next themed play area—I’ll keep you posted! I hope our Gingerbread adventure inspired your creative juices and you’re ready to set up your gingerbread classroom!