Building gingerbread houses is a holiday tradition in many classrooms and households. But as any adult enlisted to help out with the project can attest, constructing gingerbread creations tends to be a messy business. Kids and counters are covered in sticky icing, candy rolls onto the floor, and unless the builders are especially adept, many gingerbread homes topple over before they can be appreciated. Plus, the recipes to create strong gingerbread for building tend to be dense and less palatable than others, meaning kids are not likely to munch on the gingerbread after the thrill of building is over.

Children can recreate the appeal of making gingerbread houses by turning to non-edible materials. Chances are most homes have plenty of shipping boxes and other cardboard around this time of year, especially since online shopping is so prolific. These boxes – with a few extra materials – can be transformed into entire gingerbread villages.

Collect the materials

Kids can begin by gathering the necessary materials. Depending on the desired size of the finished project, boxes can be small, like those that contain tea, hot cocoa or cereal, or larger shipping boxes can be utilized for more ambitious undertakings. Scraps of wrapping paper, postal paper, construction paper, colored markers, crayons, washable paints, and additional decorative materials also can be gathered.

Cut house panels

For thicker cardboard, adults may need to use a craft or utility knife to score through the cardboard and get kids started. Prepare gingerbread house “walls” and triangular portions that can be used to make roofs. Kids may be able to cut through thinner boxes with their own safety scissors.

Design and build

Before they are stuck together, children can be encouraged to decorate their gingerbread homes by drawing, painting or gluing items on, or adding whatever embellishments they desire onto the cardboard panels. Once ready to go, the house can be constructed by using masking tape to attach the corners of walls and roof pieces together. Painters tape is another option, as it is less sticky, and can be removed and repositioned more easily if a mistake happens.

Display and play

Children can take pride in displaying their homemade gingerbread villages among the rest of the holiday decor. Kids can use their imaginations and create stories and other play using their cardboard gingerbread houses as the backdrop. When the holiday season is over, the cardboard can be recycled and ideas for a new batch of gingerbread village creations can take root.