Transform a simple paper bag into an adorable gingerbread house with this fun and festive Christmas craft!
This creative holiday project combines construction paper crafting with kid-friendly assembly, making it perfect for seasonal fun and holiday decorating.
Paper Bag Gingerbread House Materials
Gather these supplies to create your festive gingerbread house transformation:
Essential Supplies:
- Paper bag
- Construction paper in various colors
- Scissors
- Glue stick or craft glue
- Color pencils (optional for customizing)
- Printer
- Free gingerbread house printable template
How to Make a Paper Bag Gingerbread House with Kids
This craft is perfect for children ages 5 and up with adult supervision for cutting and gluing.
Step 1: Cut the Roof Shape
- Cut a triangle at the top of the paper bag to create the roof shape
Step 2: Create the Frosted Roof
- Cut the roof template and trace it onto white construction paper
- Cut small circles from different colored construction paper (red, blue, yellow, green, orange) to represent ornament decorations
- Cut a circle from green construction paper and cut out the center
- Cut out a red bow from construction paper (or make a bow from ribbon)
- Use a white pen and outline the inner circle of the wreath. Create a scalloped outline on the outer edge of the wreath.
- Assemble the wreath by gluing the red bow to the green circle and decorating with colored circles.
Step 3: Attach the Wreath
- Glue the white snowy roof pieces to the paper bag.
- Add the wreath at the center at the peak.
- Then complete the roof pieces by decorating with the colored round circles.
Step 4: Create the Candy Canes
- Cut the candy cane template from white construction paper
- Use red and green markers to draw diagonal stripes on the candy canes to create the festive candy cane pattern
Step 5: Create the Gingerbread Cookies
- Cut out the biscuit template from both dark brown and light brown construction paper
- Cut out the inner pieces from the light brown pieces
- Glue the light brown pieces on top of the dark brown pieces to create the layered cookie effect
- Cut out white pieces from white construction paper (not from the template)
Step 6: Create the Windows and Door
- Cut out a red door from red construction paper (not from template) with a white frame border
- Cut out small brown squares from brown construction paper for the window panes
- Cut white strips of construction paper to create the window frames
- Cut a small green circle for the door handle
- Glue all the pieces together to assemble the windows and door before attaching to the paper bag
Step 7: Attach Windows and Door to Paper Bag
- Glue the windows and door onto the front of the paper bag
Step 8: Add the Gingerbread Cookies
- Glue down the white snow borders we cut out in the previous steps to the sides of the door.
- Attach the gingerbread cookies to the sides of the house
Step 9: Complete Your House
- Attach the candy canes to your festive gingerbread house
- Use a white pen to add some finishing details to your gingerbread house.
Final Thoughts on This Paper Bag Gingerbread House Tutorial
Your kids will have a blast making this paper bag gingerbread house craft.
It's a simple, fun way to create a festive holiday decoration they can customize however they like.
Ready for more fun Christmas and holiday crafts? Check out these favorites:
- 15 Amazing DIY Gingerbread House Kits for Kids
- 25 Baby Jesus Nativity Crafts for Kids
- 25 Christmas Fingerprint Crafts for Kids
Explore our kids craft blog for even more creative seasonal projects that combine simple materials with festive fun!
