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You are here: Home / Christmas Activities / Gingerbread Theme Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Gingerbread Theme Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

November 28, 2017 by Sheryl Cooper

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This post might contain affiliate links. CLICK HERE for more information. Thanks for visiting!

This post might contain affiliate links. CLICK HERE for more information. Thanks for visiting!

Inside: Check out these hands-on gingerbread theme ideas for toddlers and preschoolers. Free gingerbread printables included!

The gingerbread theme is one of my favorites, and our toddlers and preschoolers love all the activities provided. After reading several versions of The Gingerbread Man/Boy/Girl, we put together several gingerbread dramatic play ideas in our classroom. During the same time, we create gingerbread art activities, use gingerbread mats at the playdough table, and provide gingerbread matching games for the children to enjoy. Here is a collection of gingerbread theme ideas for toddlers and preschoolers. Enjoy!

👉 I’ve created some fun FREE gingerbread printables to use with this theme! Scroll down to find the downloads.

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Gingerbread Theme Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

 

Gingerbread Dramatic Play Ideas - Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

Gingerbread Dramatic Play Ideas - Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

Gingerbread Dramatic Play

Each year we seem to find more gingerbread items to add to our dramatic play area. This year my co-teacher’s mother found these stuffed gingerbread people at Goodwill. They were adored by our toddlers and preschoolers! They carried them on trays to serve to all their classmates. Oh, and to their teachers, too.

Gingerbread Dramatic Play Ideas - Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

We also added our Christmas slice and bake cookies that I found on Amazon last year. (Seriously, this is worth every penny. It is loved THAT much. And it doesn’t have to be limited to Christmas. Kids would have fun with it year round!)

Gingerbread Dramatic Play Ideas - Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

Manners were practiced as the children asked if we wanted a gingerbread cookie.

Gingerbread Dramatic Play Ideas - Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

Language skills were strengthened as the children role-played.

Gingerbread Dramatic Play

Gingerbread Dramatic Play Ideas - Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

 

Gingerbread Theme Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

And now, here is my favorite collection of gingerbread theme ideas. If you have gingerbread theme posts, please share the link in the comments section!

 

Gingerbread Theme Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers

ART

Brighten your classroom with gingerbread people sun catchers. They can be hung on a tree or in the window.

Paint on ice shaped like gingerbread men!

Put together a fun sensory art experience with gingerbread puffy paint. (Growing a Jeweled Rose)

Mix together some gingerbread dough and make ornaments.

Make your own upcycle gingerbread house using small milk cartons. (Coffee Cups and Crayons)

Paint a gingerbread man made from a paper plate. (Happy Hooligans)

SENSORY

Create a scented gingerbread boy sensory bin. Our preschoolers loved it!

PLAYDOUGH

Your home or classroom will smell so good with some super fragrant gingerbread playdough. (Mama Papa Bubba)

FINE MOTOR

Strengthen those fingers with a gingerbread salt tray. (Creekside Learning)

Lace some gingerbread men as a fun pre-sewing activity. (Creative Little Explorers)

MATH

Work on simple math skills by downloading free gingerbread number puzzles. (Teach with Me)

This gingerbread busy bag works on simple counting skills. (Wildflower Ramblings)

LITERACY

Take the kids on a gingerbread letter hunt . (Free Printable from Pre-Kinders)

Add literacy to your gingerbread theme making your own gingerbread man books. (Fun-A-Day)

LARGE MOTOR

Get those little bodies moving while playing the gingerbread number hop game. (Toddler Approved)

MUSIC

This Five Gingerbread Men Song would be a fun way to add some counting. (A Teacher’s Touch)

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL

Explore different emotions with an emotions matching activity.  (Free printable from Natural Beach Living)

MONTESSORI

Living Montessori Now has a great gingerbread man resource with free printables and activities.

 

FREE gingerbread printables to go with this theme:

(Click on photo for digital download.)

Free Build a Gingerbread House Printable

free gingerbread man printable

free toddler preschool gingerbread cookies printable for dramatic play

 


 

 

Make sure to follow our Christmas pin board for lots more toddler and preschool activities!

 

Related Posts:

Easy Christmas Jingle Bell Sticks

Christmas Sensory Play Activities

12 Fun Christmas Dramatic Play Activities

 

Preschool Christmas Favorites

Gingerbread Man Theme Preschool Classroom Lesson Plans

Fun science investigations, literacy activities, math games and more. Plus printable lesson plans for a Gingerbread Man Preschool Theme.

  • Recommended Book List
  • 1-Page Weekly Lesson Plan Grid with Activity Ideas for Whole Group, Literacy, Math, and Science each day
    • Alternate Editable Weekly Grids for 4-day, 3-day, and 2-day programs
  • 5 Daily Lesson Plan Sheets with Activity Directions and Materials List
  • 2-Page Center Descriptions
  • Related Printables

Click Here for More Information

Preschool gingerbread lesson plans

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Filed Under: Christmas Activities, Dramatic Play, preschool, Themes, Toddlers Tagged With: Christmas, dramatic play, preschool, themes, toddlers

About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 20 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

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