How to Make a No-Mess Gingerbread Ornament

 Inside: This gingerbread ornament is perfect when you need a simple Christmas activity that can be taken home on the very same day. Hang them in the window for some extra color!

We welcome December each year with a gingerbread theme that always includes an ornament.

We’ve made play dough gingerbread ornaments and rich brown clay gingerbread ornaments.

This year I tried something completely different: a gingerbread ornament that is also a suncatcher.

I wanted something colorful that could be either added to a Christmas tree, or hung in the window to brighten those dreary winter days.

I also wanted an ornament that the preschoolers could reposition the pieces.

This gingerbread ornament requires no paint or glue, so it can be taken home the very same day.

How to Make a No-Mess Gingerbread Ornament

What you will need:

• White flimsy paper plates or white card stock
• Sticky (Contact) paper
• Tissue paper squares in various colors
• Buttons
• Wiggle eyes
• Assorted colors of yarn
• Double-sided clear tape

Preparing the gingerbread suncatcher ornament:

Use some sort of gingerbread template to trace on the paper. (I used one of our large gingerbread cookie cutters.)

Cut the shape from the center, so that you have negative space. (I used an X-acto knife.)

Cut the contact paper so that it covers the negative gingerbread space.

Place it sticky side down on one side of the paper.

Creating the gingerbread suncatcher:

Press the tissue paper squares on top of the sticky side of the contact paper.

Shaping the ornaments into gingerbread shapes:

After tissue paper squares are stuck on the paper, cut another piece of contact paper to cover the open side. Now both sticky sides are touching each other, so the tissue paper is secure. Cut around the gingerbread shape so that you leave white trim around the entire shape.

Punch a hole near the top of the gingerbread ornament.

Adding details to the gingerbread suncatcher ornament:

Tie a piece of yarn through hole near the top of the ornament to create a loop for hanging.

Place double-sided tape on the areas where the features will be placed.

What’s fun is that even once the materials are placed on the tape, they can be moved.

The children loved repositioning the pieces until they were satisfied with the placement.

Of course, what I love is that they have added their own touches.

The gingerbread man pictured below was made by 3 year old Finley. “He has a mustache!” Oh, and that is also a mustache on the left foot.

When finished, the gingerbread suncatcher ornament can be hung in the window or on the Christmas tree.

Here are more fun gingerbread activities:

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

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