Looking for Christmas craft ideas for kids that won’t end in a sugar crash? Let me tell you how an Amazon box saved our holiday this year (seriously, I was so tired, I didn’t even have it in me to get the tree – but this jump-started that ‘Christmas cheer’ for it – it really did the trick! I swear it is now my favorite Christmas crafts for kids.
I didn’t grow up with picture-perfect holidays. My mom was a Christmas baby, and sharing her birthday with the biggest celebration of the year wasn’t exactly her idea of fun. While other families decorated cookies and built gingerbread houses, I watched from afar, dreaming of the day I’d create those magical moments with my own kids.
Now, as a 42-year-old mom of three, I’ve finally gotten to do all those traditional holiday activities. But there was one tiny detail my childhood self never considered – the dreaded sugar crash.
The Moment Everything Changed
Remember watching your sweet, angelic three-year-old transform into something from The Exorcist on your sister-in-law’s living room floor? After one too many sugar-fueled holiday meltdowns, I knew we needed a change. That’s when inspiration struck in the most unexpected way – I looked at my pile of Amazon boxes on the floor after a particularly rough gingerbread house disaster ended up there.
(Yes, I know finding inspiration in empty Amazon boxes sounds like rock bottom, but stick with me here.)
How to Make a Gingerbread House from Cardboard: An Easy Holiday Craft for Kids
What started as a desperate mom moment turned into our favorite DIY Christmas decoration with kids. Here’s the magic: turn the box inside out, and you’ve got the perfect gingerbread-colored base for a sugar-free holiday activity that kids actually love.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Box
1. Choose a sturdy Amazon box (or any cardboard box)
2. Carefully flip it inside out so the only the plain cardboard shows (otherwise this Christmas craft for kids will look like a Christmas craft for advertising Amazon 😂)
3. Secure all edges with strong tape
4. Cut out windows and doors (optional)
5. Add any features you want (chimneys, dormers, etc.)
Step 2: Create the Base
1. Paint the entire house with brown paint for that gingerbread look
2. Add white paint along the edges to mimic frosting
3. Let everything dry completely before decorating
Step 3: Decorate Your House
1. Roof: Glue pasta pieces in rows and paint them for shingles
2. Snow Effects: Attach cotton balls along the roofline and base
3. Details: Add pipe cleaners for candy canes or wreaths
4. Windows: Create frames with painted popsicle sticks
5. Extra Magic: Cut decorations from magazines or create paper accessories
Step 4: Final Touches
1. Add LED string lights inside for a warm glow
2. Create a base with green paper or fabric for grass
3. Add any additional characters or decorations around the house
Age-Specific Tips for This Christmas Craft for Kids
Toddlers (3-5 years)
– Pre-cut all pieces before crafting time
– Use washable markers instead of paint
– Stick to large stickers and cotton balls
– Let them focus on decorating pre-prepared sections
– Keep sessions short and sweet
School Age (6-10)
– Let them help with basic cutting under supervision
– Introduce more complex materials like painted pasta
– Encourage them to design their own windows and doors
– Allow them to mix paint colors for custom shades
– Give them creative freedom with decorations
Teens and Adults
– Add intricate details with multiple materials
– Create multi-level houses with additional boxes (do it doooo it do it!!)
– Experiment with textured painting techniques
– Install battery-operated lights with switches
– Design companion pieces like trees or smaller buildings
Pro Tips for Killin’ It
– Cover your workspace with newspaper or a plastic tablecloth
– Keep baby wipes handy for quick cleanup
– Work in stages – don’t try to complete everything in one sitting
– Take photos of the process – these make great memories
– Remember: imperfection is part of the charm
Why This Eco-friendly Christmas Craft for Kids Works
The beauty of our “gingerbox” house tradition goes beyond avoiding sugar crashes. When everyone gathers around that cardboard box with craft supplies scattered everywhere, something magical happens. You’re not just making a holiday decoration; you’re building memories that last way longer than any sugar high.
Your kids won’t remember if everything was perfectly aligned. Instead, they’ll remember:
– Laughing when we found out they stole all the cotton balls off the tree ornaments to make their snowmen
– The hilarity of dying noodles different colors (um…we picked red. that was a mistake)
– Those quiet, focused moments of creativity (especially if you startle them with breaking into xmas songs out of nowhere)
– The silly family jokes that became holiday traditions (they are getting cotton balls for their birthdays)
Supply List for Your Christmas Craft For Kids
– Amazon box (or any cardboard box)
– Scissors
– Strong tape
– Paint (brown, white, and festive colors)
– Paintbrushes
– Cotton balls
– Pipe cleaners
– Dried pasta
– Magazines for cutting
– Glue (both white glue and hot glue for adults)
– Optional: LED lights, glitter, popsicle sticks, ribbons
Ready to Start Your Own Easy Holiday Craft for Kids?
Don’t break down those Amazon boxes just yet! This non-edible gingerbread house idea is about to become your new favorite holiday tradition. Grab some paint, dig out those craft supplies, and get ready to make some mess-free (totally kidding hahaha) memories.
Remember: Your cardboard gingerbread house doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be perfectly yours.
Party On,
Meadow
COO at Happily Ever Laughter | Creative Director | Chief Talent Officer | Portfolio Manager | Professional Fairy
P.S. If you want us to lead this craft activity for you (while dressed as an elf!), we’d love to. Check out our craft helper service!
