Hands On Crafts for Kids - Gingerbread House

by Kathleen George

Create this non-edible gingerbread house from paper and styrofoam then fill it with a candy surprise.

You will need:

2 Styrofoam sheets- 18" x 12" x 1"
Styrofoam sheet- 18" x 12" x 1/2"
Decoupage medium
Brown tissue paper
Brown corrugated paper
Textured craft paper
White chenille stems
Snow medium
Fine glitter
Tuft of fiberfill
Heart shaped beads
Ruler
Utility knife
Tacky glue
2 wide soft brushes
Scissors
Decorative edge scissors
Wooden skewer
Plastic table knife

Instructions:

Cut styrofoam pieces as shown plus the following pieces from 1" thick styrofoam: 7" x 63/4", (back) and 12" x 11" (base). Cut one piece 9" x 43/4" and one piece 9" x 41/4" for the roof from the 1/2" styrofoam.
Glue ends of house to the front and back. Glue smaller roof piece on the inside of the larger section of roof. Glue the two chimney pieces together.
Trace each side of the house on brown tissue paper lightly with a pencil. Cut out about 1/4" beyond the pencil lines. Cut out 1" strips of tissue paper to cover the edges of the roof. Cut an 81/2" x 6" piece of tissue for the chimney and a 4" x 31/2" piece for the step.
Use a wide soft brush to apply a generous even coat of decoupage medium to the surface of one side of the house. Carefully position the tissue paper over the side so that it is centered but not touching the wet surface. Press one side of the tissue down and gently stroke over the top of the tissue with a second dry brush to attach the tissue completely. Use the decoupage medium to glue the excess tissue around the sides and bottom. Leave the top edge unglued. When all four sides have been covered with tissue, allow to dry completely. Then brush a coat of decoupage medium over the top of the tissue. Allow to dry, then cut the excess paper away from the top edge.
Use the same method to glue a strip of tissue over all the edges of the roof and on the front step.
Push a skewer or similar tool into the bottom of the chimney so you can hold the chimney easily. Brush decoupage medium on all sides. Wrap the chimney with a piece of tissue so that about 1/2" of the paper sticks out beyond both the top and bottom. You'll need to make little cuts at the four corners so that tissue can lay flat. Give the outside of the chimney a coat of decoupage medium.
Cover the roof with strips of scalloped corrugated paper. Glue on the lowest strips first, then stagger the scallops of each strip as you glue to the top of the roof. When dry, glue the chimney to the roof.
Glue the house to the base. Glue the front step in. place. Place the roof on top without gluing.
Cut a 25/8" x 51/2" piece of textured paper for the door; two 33/4" x 11'4" pieces of textured paper for the shutters (trim the paper with decorative scissors); one 31/2" x 21/2" piece of pink paper for the curtains (fold the paper in half and cut with a decorative scissors) and a 21/2" x 21/4" piece of red paper for the shade (trim the bottom edge with decorative scissors and glue under the curtains). Glue the pieces to the house.
Mix 2 tablespoons glitter and 6 tablespoons of decoupage medium. Use a soft brush to paint a thin coat over the roof, doors and shutters to give them a sugary look.
Make icing decorations from chenille stems. Glue in place.
Use a craft stick to spread fantasy snow on the base around the house. Add a touch of snow to the rooftop, edges and top of the chimney. Let dry.
Glue a 48" strip of corrugated paper around the edge of the base.
Glue a tuft of fiberfil to the top of the chimney for smoke. Punch candy canes into the bases at the front corners of the base. Fill the house with candy! Pin extra candy on the roof and along the base if desired.

Dow Styrofoam Brand Plastic Foam; Bemiss-Jason Designer Kolorfast Tissue Paper, Spectra Construction Paper, Waffle Paper, Corobuff or Bordette; Elmer's Tacky Glue, Decoupage Medium; Delta Fantasy Snow; Darice Chenille Stems, Heart Beads