Simple, Kid-approved Gingerbread Activities to Try This December
The saying “the days are long, but the years are fast” is so true with having children. But it also reminds me of teaching in December. Can you relate? Each minute can overwhelm when the excitement is so high, but somehow you blink and it’s winter break!
I’ve found that matching the excitement instead of fighting it is the KEY to thriving as a teacher in December. No, this does not mean you need to go all out with over-the-top seasonal activities. But a few meaningful, themed activities can go a long way.
I’ve always LOVED a Gingerbread theme in December. From the books to the sweets, it can’t be beat (plus, it’s a safe bet when you’ve got lots of kids who celebrate different holidays!).
Here are 3 of my favorite Gingerbread activities to try with your Kindergarten or 1st Graders this December…
Gingerbread Book Countdown
For the last week before winter break, count down the days with one gingerbread-themed book each day. My favorites are: The Gingerbread Girl, The Gingerbread Friends, and Gingerbread Man Loose in the School, but starting with The Gingerbread Man classic helps set the stage. Throughout the week we will compare books with a venn diagram, and after reading them all, we vote on our favorites and graph the results. So much learning disguised as fun!
Gingerbread Math Centers
One way to match the excitement kids bring in December is to let them MOVE. These math centers include a “Solve-the-Room” making 10 activity that gets kids up and moving, so you’re not fighting their energy! It’s part scavenger hunt, part missing addend, and a lot of fun.
The Gingerbread Math Center Bundle includes 8 games, 80 task cards, and over 30 gingerbread math worksheets (great for morning work or making a winter bread packet!).
Low prep, big impact activities that will sweeten your December plans!
Build a Gingerbread House
This a fun gingerbread craft that requires nearly zero prep and allows kids to be creative (I’m all about crafts that require some originality!). Just print the templates for each student, and let them color, cut and glue to build their own gingerbread house. It has several writing prompts to choose from and makes for an adorable hallway display or bulletin board! It’s a fun craft to do after reading Gingerbread Friends by Jan Brett, with the amazing gingerbread house pop-up at the end.
I have made actual gingerbread houses (graham crackers and frosting over a milk carton) with my students nearly all of my years teaching. If I ever were to stop that tradition, this would replace it. :)
That’s all — just simple, meaningful activities that will disguise learning as FUN this December. Let me know in the comments which one is your favorite!
xx,
Kelsey
