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How to Make a No-Mess Gingerbread Ornament

December 3, 2015 by Sheryl Cooper

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 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.

gingerbread ornament

 

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.

Gingerbread Suncatcher Ornament for Kids

Creating the gingerbread suncatcher:

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

Gingerbread Suncatcher Ornament for Kids

Gingerbread Suncatcher Ornament for Kids

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.

Gingerbread Suncatcher Ornament for Kids

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.

Gingerbread Suncatcher Ornament for Kids

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.

Gingerbread Suncatcher Ornament for Kids

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.

Gingerbread Suncatcher Ornament for Kids

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

Gingerbread Suncatcher Ornament for Kids

Gingerbread Suncatcher Ornament for Kids - Add some fine motor fun! Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

 

Here are more fun gingerbread activities:

preschool gingerbread theme

 

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: Art, Christmas Activities, Fine Motor, preschool, Preschool Fine Motor Tagged With: art, Christmas, preschool

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.

« Simple Yarn-Wrapped Star Activity {Fine Motor Fun!}
Christmas Color Sorting Activity Using Jingle Bells »

Comments

  1. Andrea says

    December 7, 2015 at 7:41 pm

    Oooh, I love these! I always like making sun catchers, but making them shaped as gingerbread men is such a clever, fresh idea. We’ll be making these next week!

  2. Mirela says

    December 8, 2015 at 9:25 am

    Thank you for your post Sheryl. When I red the title of your post on my newsletter I immediately clickeds on in I started reading.
    After few sentences I recalled the time when I was a child and I made some stained-glass windows or ornaments. You brought back these memories to me. By the way, these games are forgettable nowadays because I didn’t hear about them lately.

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