15 Gingerbread House Ideas to Make with Your Kids
Discover 15 fun and creative gingerbread house ideas to make with your kids this holiday season. You’ll love these unique houses!
There’s something about gingerbread houses that brings out the best in us—or at least the sticky, frosting-covered chaos that feels like our best effort.
A few years ago, my family attempted what I called “The Great Gingerbread Catastrophe.” The idea was simple—build a quaint, Pinterest-worthy cottage.
The reality? Our gingerbread walls crumbled like my patience, the roof slid off faster than I could say, “Pass the royal icing.”
But you know what? We laughed until our sides hurt, ate the broken pieces, and made a memory we’ll talk about for years.
That’s the magic of gingerbread houses—they’re not about perfection. They’re about messy, sugary fun that brings everyone together.
Ready to embrace the chaos and create some edible masterpieces (or masterpieces-in-progress)? I’ve rounded up 15 gingerbread house ideas to inspire your family to dive in, frosting bags blazing!
The Prettiest Gingerbread Houses on Pinterest
Ready to be inspired? Check out these gorgeous houses gingerbread houses that will spark your imagination!
Pink Gingerbread House
Your gingerbread house doesn’t have to be plain brown and decorated with colorful candy. This pink gingerbread trimmed with fresh pine is a fun example of thinking outside of the box with your sweet house.
Gingerbread Log Cabin
Pretzel rods are the key to adding a rustic twist to your gingerbread house. Chex cereal adds a fun texture to the roof, too.
Candyland Gingerbread House
This one is great to make with your littles who love the classic game! You’ll need a mix of cookies, candy, and pretzels for this scene.
Shiplap Gingerbread House
Any Joanna Gaines fans out there? Make this shiplap-inspired house from a store-bought kit and a surprise ingredient–gum!
English Cottage Gingerbread House
Take your skills to the next level by adding a cereal thatched roof and jelly bean stones to create a dream cottage house.
Nutty Gingerbread House
How fun is a house trimmed with nuts? Pecans make a great roof, while slivered almonds or walnuts for siding. Used crushed walnuts to create a pathway to the door, and pistachios make a cute evergreen trees.
Snow-Dusted Gingerbread House
Use white icing to create a snow-covered house, and create drips off the sides of the roof to make icicles. Then, dust the roof with powdered sugar to create a snowy scene.
Christmas-Inspired Gingerbread House
Decorate your house for the holidays with festive red and green candies to represent shiny Christmas lights!
American Flag Gingerbread House
Show off your patriotic spirit with red, white, and blue candies that represent our great nation! Swirly peppermints and candy canes fit the scheme perfectly.
Rainbow Sprinkle Gingerbread House
I LOVE rainbow sprinkles, and this house is the perfect showcase! All you need to do is cover your house with royal icing and cover it with sprinkles. Add rainbow candy canes for a special touch.
Gingerbread Castle
If your kids are a little bit extra and want more than a house, try making a castle! Ice cream cones and cookies make perfect turrets for a colorful castle home for a ginger-princess.
Non-Traditional Gingerbread House Ideas
If you’re not into gingerbread or looking for a different medium, check out these gingerbread houses that aren’t made with gingerbread!
Graham Cracker Gingerbread Houses
Building a “gingerbread house” from graham crackers is an easy, kid-friendly alternative! Use graham crackers as the walls and roof, frosting as glue, and candy for decorations. It’s less mess, less stress, and just as much fun!
Christmas Candy Gingerbread House
This fun gingerbread alternative is fun if you have little kids. Make it with a base of Rice Krispy Treats, then cover with your favorites candy and chocolate!
Pop Tart Gingerbread House
Poptarts are cheap, already look pretty, and are easy to cut. They just might be the perfect option for a gingerbread house for little kids since they won’t need much supervision.
Rice Krispie Treat Gingerbread House
If you’re a little bit nervous about working with gingerbread, give rice krispies a try! These chewy treats are much more forgiving and easier to work with. You can even get different colors by adding chocolate to your treats for a brown house.
Mix-and-Match Gingerbread House Ideas
There are so many ways to make unique gingerbread houses. Don’t limit yourself to only these ideas!
Choose two or three ideas to try, or have a gingerbread house party and let everyone make their favorite.
No matter how your gingerbread houses turn out—whether they’re picture-perfect masterpieces or hilariously lopsided creations—they’re guaranteed to create sweet memories with your kids.
From graham cracker cottages to candy-filled castles, these 15 fun gingerbread house ideas offer something for everyone. So grab some frosting, let the candy fly, and enjoy a messy, laughter-filled holiday tradition your family will treasure for years to come!
