I’m always on the lookout for engaging and educational activities that capture the attention of my students. This gingerbread man template craft is perfect for the new season!
With the holiday season just around the corner, I’ve discovered a delightful printable activity that not only brings the festive spirit into the classroom but also focuses on developing essential social skills.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing the details of a creative and fun craft project using a printable gingerbread man template, perfect for the holiday season.
This printable is for classroom use and not for commercial use. Download the PDF file, it’s easy to print on white paper. Be sure to get your copy of this cute gingerbread man templates below, there are gingerbread girl templates and boy templates in the file.
It’s a great way to talk more about the story of the gingerbread man. This simple craft also focuses on social skills activities. Add this to the holiday crafts you have! There are different ways to use this for sure. The fun part is using this craft to encourage kids in using this to develop social skills.
​These can also be used as coloring pages, so the great gingerbread man coloring pages are perfect for younger kids.
Add them to your festive projects and Christmas crafts. It’s a great activity. Ut includes blank templates to add your own coping skills, they are on large templates and a perfect addition to any center.
What is a Social Skills Craft?
Before diving into the specifics of this charming gingerbread man craft, let’s briefly discuss the concept of a social skills craft.
These activities are designed to promote the development of interpersonal and emotional skills in children. By engaging in hands-on, creative projects, kids can learn to express themselves, collaborate with peers, and explore various coping mechanisms.
What Templates are Included in This Craft?
The star of this craft is the printable gingerbread man and house template, available for both boys and girls.
The templates come in gingerbread house templates along with the gingerbread already on the craft.
>>> You can get the entire printable activity gingerbead social skills craft here.
The downloadable PDFs include different versions of gingerbread man shapes, allowing children to choose the one that resonates with them the most.
This diversity encourages creativity and personalization, making each gingerbread man or woman a unique representation of the child.
Why is This Gingerbread Man Template Craft Beneficial for Kids?
Craft projects, especially during the holiday season, offer numerous benefits for children.
This gingerbread man template craft goes beyond the surface-level enjoyment of creating a cute holiday-themed character. Here are some key advantages:
1. Developing Fine Motor Skills:
Cutting, pasting, and decorating the gingerbread man and house templates require precise motor skills. This hands-on activity contributes to the development of fine motor skills, an essential aspect of early childhood education.
2. Encouraging Creativity:
With a variety of gingerbread man shapes and accessories, kids have the freedom to express their creativity. From choosing the gingerbread man’s attire to designing the gingerbread house, this craft allows children to explore their imagination.
3. Fostering Social Skills:
The addition of coping skills to the “chill gingerbread house” introduces an element of social and emotional learning. Kids can reflect on and identify coping mechanisms that resonate with them, promoting self-awareness and empathy.
4. Promoting Collaboration:
If done in a classroom setting, this craft can become a collaborative project. Students can share ideas, discuss their coping skills, and work together to create a vibrant display for the bulletin board.
How to Make This Social Skills Gingerbread Craft?
Now, let’s delve into the step-by-step process of creating the social skills gingerbread craft using the free printable templates:
Materials Needed:
- Printable gingerbread man and ‘chill’ house craft template (available in PDF format)
- Brown cardstock
- White cardstock
- Brown paper bags
- Glue stick
- Pom poms
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Download links (provided in the resource)
Step 1: Download and Print the Templates
>>> Get the printable download of the gingerbread craft here <<<
Start by downloading the gingerbread man craft template PDFs from the provided download links. Ensure that you have enough copies for each child to have their own gingerbread man and house.
Be sure to download to your PC and open in Adobe Reader DC. The editable fonts wont load otherwise!
Step 2: Cut and Decorate
Distribute the templates along with scissors and coloring materials. Instruct the children to cut out their gingerbread house. Encourage them to decorate the characters with markers, crayons, or colored pencils, adding a personal touch to each creation.
Step 3: Add Coping Skills
Discuss coping skills with the children, emphasizing the importance of healthy ways to manage emotions. Provide a list of coping skills such as reading, playing with toys, and listening to music. Have the kids cut out the coping skills they resonate with and paste them onto their gingerbread house.
Step 4: Assemble the Craft
Using glue sticks, attach the gingerbread man to the decorated gingerbread house. Add additional elements like pom poms or other craft materials to enhance the festive atmosphere.
Step 5: Display and Discuss
Once the crafts are complete, create a bulletin board display featuring the “chill gingerbread houses.” Use this opportunity to facilitate a discussion about coping skills, allowing each child to share their chosen strategies and why they find them helpful.
More ways to use the gingerbread man template project
Expanding on the delightful gingerbread man craft, I’m thrilled to introduce a range of additional classroom activities and fun printables that will enhance the holiday spirit while fostering creativity and learning among students.
Writing Prompts and Art Projects
Writing Prompts: Alongside the craft, incorporate writing prompts related to the holiday season and gingerbread themes. Encourage students to write stories or create descriptive narratives featuring their gingerbread characters.
Art Projects: Beyond the gingerbread man template, encourage art projects where students design their own printable gingerbread man outlines. This allows for artistic exploration and personal expression, showcasing diverse interpretations of the beloved holiday character.
Window Decorations and Gingerbread Man Garland
Window Decorations: Utilize the printable gingerbread man template to create festive window decorations. Children can decorate gingerbread men and women, and these can be displayed on classroom windows to spread cheer throughout the school.
Gingerbread Man Garland Another fun activity is crafting a gingerbread man garland. Print multiple copies of the gingerbread man template on colored paper, have students decorate them, then string the decorated figures together to create a charming garland to adorn the classroom.
Christmas Printables: In addition to the gingerbread man craft, explore other Christmas printables that align with classroom activities. From coloring pages to word searches and crosswords, these resources engage students while celebrating the holiday season.
Bonus Gingerbread House: Consider providing a bonus gingerbread house template. This extension activity allows students to build and decorate their own miniature gingerbread houses, fostering patience, attention to detail, and creativity.
Making the Most of Art and Education
By incorporating these diverse activities and free printables into the classroom setting, educators can infuse the holiday season with engaging learning experiences. These initiatives not only enhance fine motor skills, creativity, and artistic expression but also encourage collaboration, imaginative thinking, and storytelling.
The combination of crafting, writing prompts, and various art projects centered around the printable gingerbread man template provides a comprehensive approach to holiday-themed education. The classroom becomes a vibrant space where students can explore, create, and celebrate the joy of the season while learning and growing together.
With these exciting classroom activities and fun printables, the holiday spirit is sure to be in full swing, fostering a memorable and enriching experience for students during this festive time of year.
This holiday season, engage your students in a fun and educational craft that not only brings joy to the classroom but also fosters the development of essential social skills.
The free printable gingerbread man template offers a versatile and creative platform for children to express themselves, enhance their fine motor skills, and explore effective coping mechanisms.
Whether used in the classroom or at home, this craft is a fantastic way to combine the festive spirit with valuable learning experiences. Happy crafting!
