Gingerbread Man/House

Book Ideas:The Gingerbread Girl by Lisa Campbell Ernst

"Like her older brother, the Gingerbread Boy, who was eventually devoured by a fox, the Gingerbread Girl eludes the many people who would like to eat her but also has a plan to escape her sibling's fate." (Any girl will love this version)

Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett
"A young boy and his mother bake a gingerbread baby that escapes from their oven and leads a crowd on a chase similar to the one in the familiar tale about a not-so-clever gingerbread man."
Gingerbread Mouse by Katy Bratun
"An accident sends Mouse in search of a new home at Christmas time and she finds what seems to be the perfect one inside of a much larger house, but she meets a new friend with a better idea."

Songs and Rhymes:

5 little Gingerbread Men

5 little gingerbread men lying on a tray.
1 jumped up and ran away!
Catch me, catch me, if you can.
I run really fast.
I’m the gingerbread man!

(continue to count down to 1 little gingerbread man)

Gingerbread Man

Stir a bowl of gingerbread (stir as in a bowl)

Smooth and spicy brown
Roll it with a rolling pin

up and up and down (Pretend to roll)
With a cookie cutter, (pretend to cut out)

make some little men.
Put them in the oven (place them in the oven)

till half past ten!

Four Gingerbread Men

Four gingerbread men sat on a tray

The first one said, "Let's run away!"

The second one said, "Where will we run?"

The third one said, "We'll have some fun."

The fourth one said, "We'll be eaten if we stay."

So the gingerbread men all ran away.

Activity Ideas:

Idea #1: Decorate a Gingerbread House

Read a story above and decorate a gingerbread house. I made my own from scratch but if you don't want the hassle you can either use graham crackers or buy a pre-made kit (If you have an IKEA close by, they have a real gingerbread house kit for $5.99) Here is the recipe I used for the pieces of the house:

Gingerbread

4-41/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground ginger
pinch of cardamom
pinch of nutmeg

Mix the above ingredients and set aside.

1 stick of butter
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup unsulphured molasses
1 tsp cold water
1 egg

Cream butter, sugar and molasses together. Then add egg, and cold water. Then mix thoroughly. With mixer on low, add flour and spices gradually. Roll dough out with a rolling pin until dough is ¼ inch thick. Cut into desired shapes.

Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Build the house using icing to keep it together. This icing recipe will keep it together like glue, but probably shouldn't be used if you plan on eating it since it has raw eggs in it.

Royal Icing

1 lb. powdered sugar
2 egg whites
¼ (more or less) cup water
½ tsp of cream of tarter

Place all the ingredients in the mixer. Begin at low speed, gradually increasing speed to high. Beat icing until it is thick and fluffy. Use right away. I spoon mine into a zip lock bag and cut the corner tip to use as a frosting bag.

Have a supply of candy ready for decorating.

Let your child decorate however they want.




Idea #2: Gingerbread boy Scavenger Hunt

Read any version of the Gingerbread Man/Boy and then have your child go on a scavenger hunt to find the gingerbread boy. First you will need to make a gingerbread boy out of paper and write 5 clues on small pieces of bright paper. Here is what my clues said:

• I'm sorry for being knotty, but I had to go to the potty! (hide the next clue in the bathroom)
• My stomach is grumbling just a smidge; so maybe you'll find me in the fridge. (hide the next clue in the fridge)
• My feet are getting tired and red; maybe I'll try out your bed. (hide the next clue in their bed)
• Hey there's no need to rush, I'm just using your toothbrush. (hide the next clue by their toothbrush)
• Ha, ha, ha, you can't catch me, unless you find the right DVD! (hide the paper gingerbread man inside a DVD case)

Idea #3: Sort and Count Gingerbread Cookies
Read one of the gingerbread books and then sort out the cookies in the box of these seasonal Pepperidge Farm snacks. Put all the daddies together, all the mommies together etc... Then count them and find out which pile has the most.



Idea #4: Gingerbread Man writing activity

Read any version of "The gingerbread man" and then ask your child:

What would you do to catch the Gingerbread Man?

Write the question at the top of a piece of paper and then have your child draw a picture of how they would catch the gingerbread man. When they are all done, label their "story" with a caption.

Idea #5: Cookie cutter Match-up Game

Read one of the books and then play this matching game. You will need several Christmas shaped cookie cutters, a marker, and some paper. Trace the shapes onto some paper before hand. Lay out the paper outlines on the floor. Then give your child the cookie cutters and have them match the shapes by putting the right cookie cutter on top of the correct traced cookie outline.

Christmas Ornaments

Book Ideas: Max and Ruby’s Christmas Tree by Penguin Young Readers Group
"It's Christmastime, and Ruby is teaching Max how to hang ornaments on the Christmas tree. But for every traditional ornament that Ruby hangs, Max hangs a silly one of his own."

Koala Christmas by Lisa Bassett

"When Wally and Carrie Koala break their Christmas tree bulbs and balls, Piper the lorikeet helps them make 'magic' decorations."

Merry Christmas, Mouse! By Laura Numeroff
"Join Mouse from 'If You Give a Mouse a Cookie' as he decorates his Christmas tree in a holiday counting adventure."

The Silver Christmas Tree by Pat Hutchins
Squirrel is decorating his tree for Christmas and is not satisfied with how it looks until a star magically appears at the top of his tree. When he wakes up, the star is missing. So squirrel goes in search of his star and asks all his friends if they've seen it.

Songs and Rhymes:

Christmas Candy

I took a lick of my peppermint stick (Pretend to lick candy)

And was it ever yummy! (Lick lips)

It used to be on my Christmas tree. (Form tree shape with hands.)

Now, it's in my tummy!(Rub stomach)

Deck the Halls
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la.

Troll the ancient Yule tide carol, Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Activity Ideas:

Idea #1: Plastic Ornaments

Read one of the stories and then have your child decorate their own plastic ornament ball.

I found some clear plastic ornaments at Michael's craft store that open in half, but any plastic ornament will do (My mom found some colored ones at the dollar store). You'll also want some stickers, paint, glitter glue, string or pipe cleaner etc...

Have your child decorate the ornament with stickers

Then have them paint around the stickers (or on top of them like my two year-old did:) )

Then decorate with glitter glue and set aside to dry.

Attach a string or pipe cleaner for hanging and place it on the tree!

Idea #2:"Stained Glass"Ornaments

Read one of the stories and then make your own "Stained Glass" ornament.

You'll need glue (diluted with water), a paint brush, one piece of wax paper (cut into a circle), and small squares of tissue paper.

Using the paint brush, paint on some diluted glue onto the wax paper. Then add tissue paper squares until the whole circle is covered.

Paint more glue over the top and set aside to dry.

When it's all dry, cut around the circle to make a clean edge and then punch a hole through the top and add a string for hanging.

Idea #3: Styrofoam Ball Ornaments

Read one of the stories and make a homemade ornament. You'll need one Styrofoam ball, a paperclip, paint, sequence or glitter glue, etc...

Put some glue on the end of a paper clip and push it into the top of the ball. This will be used for hanging as well has a handle for the kids to hold while they paint and decorate their ornament.

Paint the ball.

Add sparkles or whatever else you want--ribbons, buttons, jewels...

Let dry and then hang with a string.

Idea #4: Ornament Patterns

Make ornament patterns using Christmas stickers. I started a few patterns on a piece of paper and had my daughter finish the pattern. This is too hard of a skill for a toddler to do. 3-5 year-olds are just beginning to understand this concept with practice. Do it together, saying:"Green, green, orange. Green, green, orange. Green--What comes next?"


Idea #5: Decorate a tree with ornaments

Read one of the stories and let your child have fun decorating a tree with ornaments. I had a hard time giving up control of my living room tree; so I got a mini tree for her to decorate with some of my old ornaments.

Christmas Trees

Book Ideas:

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert E. Barry
"When Mr. Willowby's Christmas tree is so tall that he has to cut the top off, he unwittingly provides trees for various people and animals."


Merry Christmas, Geraldine by Holly Keller
"Geraldine the pig has her heart set on getting a really big Christmas tree--no matter what."



Mooseltoe by Margie Palatini
"Moose thinks he has all his Christmas preparations taken care of, but at the last minute he must come up with a substitute for the Christmas tree."




The After-Christmas Tree by Linda Wagner Tyler
"Family members take their Christmas tree into the back yard and decorate it with edible trimmings for the wild birds and animals. "


Songs and Rhymes:


5 Little Christmas Trees

5 little Christmas Trees
Standing all alone
Their heart were very sad
'Cause they hadn't found a home.
Then chop went the ax
And down fell the tree
And off they went with a happy family!


(continue from 4-1 Christmas Trees)


No little Christmas Trees
Standing all alone
Their hearts were very happy
'Cause they all found a home!!!




O Christmas Tree

Verse 1:
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!




Christmas time is here
(Sung to: "The Farmer in the Dell")

Christmas time is near.
Christmas time is near.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Christmas time is near.

It’s time to trim the tree.
It’s time to trim the tree.
Merry Christmas everyone.
It’s time to trim the tree.

It’s time to wrap the gifts.
It’s time to wrap the gifts.
Merry Christmas Everyone.
It’s time to wrap the gifts.

It’s time to hang the stockings.
It’s time to hang the stockings.
Merry Christmas everyone.
It’s time to hang the stockings.

Santa will soon be here.
Santa will soon be here.
Merry Christmas everyone.
Santa will soon be here.



Activity Ideas:

Idea #1: Christmas Tree Surveys

Make the following survey:What do you have at the top of your tree? angel, star, other? OR, Do you have a real tree, a fake tree, or none? Read one of the books and have your child survey neighbors, friends, family (calls on the phone work great) to find out which of the categories has the most. Child can use x's or simple line to record the answer. Ask them to guess which is going to be the most before you begin the survey and see if their guess is right.

Idea #2: Ice Cream Cone Christmas Trees Read one of the stories and then make your own edible Christmas tree.
Supplies: Sugar Cones, Green Frosting, Small round candy (mini m&m's are a great size, but I couldn't find any when I went to the store).

Take a sugar cone turn it upside down and spread green frosting all over it. (You may need to help a little). You need a thick layer of frosting so the candy will stay on the tree.


Push candy into the frosting to decorate it. You could also add licorice laces or sprinkles etc...

Idea #3: Exploring colors

Read one of the books and then talk about the color of Christmas trees. Discuss how you can mix two colors to make green. Let your child explore by mixing blue and yellow paint with a q-tip and see what happens.

Idea #4: Hole-punched Christmas Trees Make a pretty light catcher to hang in a window. You'll need green construction paper, tissue paper, glue, scissors, a whole punch, and a piece of string.

First, fold a green piece of construction paper in half and draw a simple Christmas tree outline.

Cut-out the tree outline so you have two identical trees.

Line-up the two trees together, one on top of the other, and punch out a bunch of holes using a hole puncher. You may need to fold the paper to get to the middle of the tree. The holes should line up exactly on the two trees. I tried to involve my kids in this step, but the hole puncher was too hard for them to use. It might just be better to have the tree with the holes already punched out and prepared before you start the activity.

Cut various colors of tissue paper into small squares.

Read one of the book titles and then give your child one of the tree cut-outs and have them spread glue all over one side of the tree. (For less mess, Use a q-tip to spread the glue)

Have your child place the squares of tissue paper on top of the glue, until all the holes are covered. Trim any extra tissue paper hanging off the edge of the tree outline.


This next step is important!--Before you spread glue all over the 2nd tree outline, make sure you figure out which side of the tree the glue should go on so that the holes will still match up with the first tree outline when you press them together. If you don't have the holes matched up then you won't be able to see light through the tissue paper.

Punch one hole at the top of the tree and attach a string for hanging. Hang the tree in a window and see the beautiful colors.

Thanksgiving/Gratitude

Book Ideas:

Thanks for Thanksgiving by Julie Markes

"At Thanksgiving time, children express their gratitude for the people and things in their lives."

My Book of Thanks by B.G.Hennessy

"A gentle prayer expressing thanks - and asking for help in passing life’s blessings along."

Songs and Rhymes:

Let's be Thankful

Sung to: "Twinkle, twinkle little star"

Let’s be thankful for this day

For our friends and for our play

Let’s be thankful; lets be glad

For the food and things we have

Let’s give thanks for you and me

And our home and family

If your thankful and you know it...

Sung to: "If You're Happy & You Know It"

If you're thankful and you know it clap your hands

If you're thankful and you know it clap your hands

If you're thankful and you know it

Then your face will surely show it

If you're thankful and you know it clap your hands!

I Thank Thee, Dear Father

(LDS Church Primary Song Book pg.7)

I thank thee, dear Father in heaven above,

For thy goodness and mercy, thy kindness and love.

I thank thee for home, friends, and parents so dear,

And for ev'ry blessing that I enjoy here.

Thanks to Our Father

(LDS Church Primary Song Book pg. 20)

Verse1:

Thanks to our Father we will bring,

For he gives us ev'rything.

Verse 2:

Eyes and ears and hands and feet,

Clothes to wear, and food to eat;

Verse 3:

Father, mother, baby small,

Heavenly Father gives us all.

Verse 4:

Thanks to our Father we will bring,

For he gives us ev'rything.

Activity Ideas:

Idea#1: Make Gratitude Books

Cut computer paper into four (you'll need 6 pages) and staple together. You can do this a couple of ways.

Version A: Write "My Gratitude Book" on the first page and then have your child tell you five things he/she is thankful for and draw and label each on the blank pages.

Version B: Cut and staple the pages together and make a gratitude coloring book for your child to color. (This might be a good option for younger preschoolers). For this kind of book I used the lyrics to the song "Thanks to our Father". Here is what you would write on each page:

Page 1- "My Gratitude Book"

Page 2- "Thanks to our Father we will bring, for he gives us everything.

(draw or print a child praying)

Page 3- "Eyes and ears and hands and feet," (draw or print each body part mentioned)

Page 4- "Clothes to wear," (draw or print picture of clothes)
Page 5- "and food to eat;" (draw or print picture of food)

Page 6- "Father, Mother, baby small, Heavenly Father gives us all." (draw or glue in a photo of your family)

Version C: Cut and staple paper into a book and label each page with the words to the poem, as mentioned in version B, but have your child draw the pictures to go along with the words.

Idea#2: Make Thank you Cards

If you don't already have the family tradition of choosing someone to specifically write and thank at thanksgiving time, then start this year. The hand print turkey in the photo above is a fun way for the kids to decorate their cards. If you want you can even add this poem below the hand print:

This isn't just a turkey
As anyone can see.
I made it with my hands
Which are a part of me!
It comes with lots of love
Especially to say----
I hope you have a very
Happy Thanksgiving Day!

***Add to the fun by making some cute Thanksgiving cookies to go with the thankyou cards and deliver them.