Simple Toddler Gingerbread Man Painting

Inside: Create a simple toddler gingerbread painting that uses lots of stamping with paint!

We love the gingerbread man theme.

I schedule it just after Thanksgiving, before we move into Christmas.

Not only do the children love the story, but they also enjoy the activities that go along with it.

Including this action art activity that involves sewing spools!

But don’t worry if you don’t sew or have access to spools. The good news is that they can be purchased, too!

Let me show you how I put together this painting activity.

Simple Toddler Gingerbread Painting

The Story

The Gingerbread Man is a story about an old woman who is baking a gingerbread boy cookie who leaps out of the oven. From there, he is chased by different people and animals. He outruns them all, except for a tricky fox.

I simplify the words for my two year olds, who love to later pretend that they are gingerbread man cookies running away from people and animals.

A Simple Activity

I’ve done many different art activities connecting to The Gingerbread Man, but this year I wanted a simple version with more action.

I have a high ratio of boys who love to move, so sitting at the art table can be a challenge.

I learned quickly that they loved art that involved movement.

Using Spools

Sewing spools have been at our art table many times, including:

• Simple Painting with Sewing Spools
• Spool-Stamped Snowmen
• Spool-Stamped Fish

We were fortunate to receive a huge box of spools from a sewing group many years ago that we have not only used at the art table, but also on the light table, with playdough, with blocks, and at the activity table for a threading activity.

Simple During a Busy Month

December can be a bit crazy not only with school events, but also family activities.

Since we have our gingerbread man theme at the beginning of December, that’s when the holiday busyness begins.

If I can find something easy in December – that is also fun and builds skills – I will give it a try!

What You Will Need

• Brown construction paper
• Gingerbread man template
• White tempera paint
• Empty sewing spools

Preparation

Using a template, cut gingerbread man shapes from the brown construction paper.

Unless you are talented and can draw one free hand. I chose not to do that!

(I used the gingerbread man coloring sheet from my Gingerbread Man Packet as a template. I also have this free gingerbread man coloring sheet you can use.)

Pour white paint into shallow containers and add a spool to each one.

I like to put everything on a tray.

Reading the Story

Before this activity, make sure your children are familiar with The Gingerbread Man story.

I like to read it during circle time using these Gingerbread Man props.

There are a lot of different versions of the story, but for my 2 and 3 year olds I like The Gingerbread Man by Karen Schmidt.

As I mentioned earlier, I will simplify it a bit if I feel it’s too long for my children’s attention spans.

My 2 and 3 year olds also love this activity:

Painting the Gingerbread Man

There’s not much direction needed for this activity.

You can show your children how to press the spool into the paint and then on to the paper.

You can see in the above photo that I decided to add some shimmery silver paint, too.

That was a last-minute idea to give some sparkle. My own little addition. (I tend to do that!)

When finished, let dry and hang!

Extension

• Add details such as googly eyes and buttons!