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Inside: Let’s explore some fun and fresh new ways you can have fun in your classroom with gingerbread man cookies. These activities are perfect for the holidays.
Christmas was two weeks away, and truthfully, I wasn’t sure I was going to make it. There was so much to do yet my kids were not “with” me. Unless I wanted to teach my lesson dressed up as Santa Claus himself, I needed to do something to get their attention, and I needed to do it fast.
Instead of fighting the holiday chaos, I realized I needed to lean into it. I needed to find a way to still meet my objectives while doing fun and festive activities with my students at the same time.
Enter The Gingerbread Man.
But First… Why Do People Read The Gingerbread Man around Christmas time?
This is something I’ve always wondered about. The Gingerbread Man is a popular Christmas story, but it doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the holiday. So why do people read it during Christmastime?
There are a few theories:
- The gingerbread man was created as a way to use up ginger that wasn’t being used during the winter months.
- The gingerbread man was created as a way to entertain children while their parents were busy with holiday preparations.
- The gingerbread man represents the “spirit of giving” that is often associated with Christmas.
Whatever the reason, there’s no denying The Gingerbread Man is a popular story during the holidays, and I’m here for it!
Idea 1: Make Your Reading Corner Irresistible
They noticed it immediately. Seconds after filing into the classroom my students rushed over to our reading corner, their squeals of joy ringing through my ears. New books were on display- and they weren’t just any old books. They were books about gingerbread.
I collected and displayed as many different versions of The Gingerbread Man as I could find. There were books about gingerbread boys, and books about gingerbread girls, and even a few books about gingerbread cowboys and ninjas. (Because, WHY not?!)
Many different variations of the classic gingerbread man story are out there, each with its unique illustrations. You can find them on Amazon, in your public library, in the school library, or even at garage sales. Sharing these books is an awesome way to introduce your students to the idea that the same story can be retold and interpreted in different ways by different authors.
A few books about gingerbread man cookies you can look for at your library or in stores:
- The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth
- The Gingerbread Man by Karen Schmidt
- The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst
- The Gingerbread Cowboy by Janet Squires and Holly Berry
- The Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
Click this link to my Amazon Store to find these titles. Your students will love looking at the different illustrations and comparing and contrasting the different versions of the story.
Idea 2: Pull Back the Curtains [with a Reader’s Theater Activity]
This idea is one of my favorites. Reader’s Theater activities are a great way to get your students engaged with a story. It also allows them to practice their reading fluency and expression. If you’re not familiar with Reader’s Theater, it is simply a story adapted into a script that students can take parts and read aloud. The Gingerbread Man lends itself perfectly to this activity.
You can find Reader’s Theater scripts about gingerbread man cookies online or you can create your own. Once you have your script, divide your students into groups and assign each group a part to read. Then, have the groups practice reading their lines aloud. Finally, perform for the rest of the class (or even consider inviting parents and guardians in)! This is always a big hit with students.
Idea 3: Catch a Gingerbread Man… If You Can!
This is a fun gingerbread man activity that will get your students thinking creatively. Provide a variety of STEM materials and have students work in groups to build a trap they think will be successful in catching gingerbread man cookies. This is a great opportunity for them to use their problem-solving skills.
Have various materials available for students to use. Here is a list of ideas to get you started:
- String
- Popsicle Sticks
- Straws
- Masking Tape (or Painter’s Tape)
- Pipe Cleaners
- Aluminum Foil
- Bottle Caps
- Cups (Paper, Plastic, Styrofoam)
- Paper Plates
- Paper Tubes and Rolls
- Paper (Printer and Construction)
- Paperclips
- Cupcake Liners
- Coffee Filters
- Marbles
- Toothpicks
Once the traps are built, have each group test their trap out. A student can play the gingerbread man or you can use a stuffed animal. As the gingerbread man “runs” through the traps, the groups will have to explain why they think their trap was or wasn’t successful. This is a great activity for encouraging critical thinking and speaking and listening skills.
Idea 4: Get Crafty
This gingerbread man activity is always a hit with my students. In this activity, they create their own gingerbread man cookies using templates, construction paper, and glue. Once their gingerbread person is complete, they write a WANTED poster describing them. This is a great opportunity for students to be creative while having some fun with The Gingerbread Man.
Once the gingerbread man cookies and posters are complete, I like to create an eye-catching bulletin board display in our hallway or classroom. I put the posters up in the center and then place the gingerbread man cookies around them, mixed up. Kids can have fun reading the posters and looking for the gingerbread man cookies that match each description! They love to see how many they can find.
Idea 5: Build a Home No Cookie Could Resist
Another fun idea is to have your students make gingerbread houses in addition to (or instead of) gingerbread man cookies. This can be a great activity for younger students. You can find templates online or you can create your own. Have your students use different colors and textures to make their gingerbread houses look as realistic as possible.
You could even get gingerbread house kits from the store and have the students work in groups to put them together. This is a great lesson in teamwork… putting a gingerbread house together is a lot harder than it looks!
Here’s a cute video I found on how to make gingerbread houses using graham crackers!
Idea 6: Put Your Own Spin on the Story
This gingerbread man activity is perfect for getting your students to use their imaginations. In this activity, your class will work together to write their own gingerbread man story. Ask your students to come up with ideas for characters, a setting, and a plot. Then, have them discuss what they would like the gingerbread man to do in their story.
Once you have a list of ideas, have the students vote on their favorite and write the story as a class for a shared writing activity. This is a great opportunity for your students to use their creativity and practice writing collaboratively.
You can also have students write their own stories independently. Once they have finished writing their story, they can illustrate it and then share it with the class.
You can grab my free Gingerbread Cookie Story Planner and use it to help your students plan and organize their ideas.
If you want to extend the activity, check out my Gingerbread Man Activities resource which includes more options plus adorable templates your students can use to create their own crafts for gingerbread man cookies.
The crafts paired with the finished stories make a bulletin board that is just… ::chef’s kiss::.
Idea 7: Celebrate with the Real Thing
This gingerbread man activity is perfect for getting your students in the holiday spirit. In this activity, they will decorate real gingerbread man cookies. You can make the gingerbread man cookies from scratch or buy them premade. (Supermarkets and craft stores often have kits you can buy that include all needed materials). Your students will love decorating them with icing, sprinkles, and other festive decorations.
Create Winter Magic for All Students
There are so many fun gingerbread-themed activities you can do with your students. These activities will help get them thinking creatively and allow them to have some fun with gingerbread man cookies.
Plus, The Gingerbread Man is a festive and fun story, but it doesn’t have any specific religious connotations. This means it can be used inclusively with any group of children, no matter their beliefs.
And with a little imagination and preparation, learning targets can still be met. I love to have fun around the holidays but it’s equally important that we provide meaningful instruction.
It’s time. Reinvigorate your instruction and pull your students’ heads out of the clouds and back into your classroom this winter. Start the magic by downloading my free Gingerbread Man Cookie Story Organizer.
You can cancel that Santa Claus costume rental now. 🙌
