This is a fun Winter or Holiday project!
I make a batch of Gingerbread people ahead of time and dry them before teaching this lesson. That way they have a dry one to decorate. They will roll and cut out their own to take home and dry themselves.
Cinnamon Dough
3/4 C Applesauce
1 C Cinnamon
2 Tbsp. white glue
Mix thoroughly and then knead the dough until it is smooth - adding more wet or dry ingredients if needed.
Roll out the dough and cut out your gingerbread shapes, punch a hole for hanging with a straw.
Set them aside to dry - turning them over after about 8 hours. They smell amazing!
I used a little bit of cinnamon to keep the dough from sticking to the counter and the rolling pin.
Don't forget to punch a hole with a straw before they dry out to thread the ribbon through.
I used puffy fabric paint in red, green, pink and pearly white. They will need to do the interior designs first and the edges at the end. I gave them a selection of buttons to choose from and the puffy paint holds them on. A length of ribbon creates the hanger.
When I teach this lesson I read "Gingerbread Baby" by Jan Brett first. Next I mix the dough with them watching, then they cut out their gingerbread person and punch the hole at the top for hanging. Finally they put it on a paper plate with their name on it to take home.
After they do this we decorate the dry one. The puffy paint needs a few hours to dry so we put that on the paper plate as well.
Then we have some gingerbread cookies for a snack and admire our creations!!
