Remember the magic of building a gingerbread house as a kid? The sweet smell of spice fills the air. Sticky fingers carefully place candy decorations. That feeling of accomplishment when the roof finally stays put? It’s a holiday tradition many of us cherish.
But let’s be honest: buying a gingerbread house kit today can feel overwhelming. Should you choose a kit with sturdy walls or one with extra frosting? Some kits fall apart easily, causing frustration right before the big reveal. You want a fun activity, not a sugary construction disaster!
This guide cuts through the confusion. We break down what makes a great kit. You will learn the secrets to picking one that saves you time and guarantees a picture-perfect, delicious centerpiece for your holiday table. Get ready to build your best gingerbread house yet!
Top Ginger Bread House Kit Recommendations
![Gingerbread House kit [Set of 2] DIY Gingerbread House, Fun Holiday Activity for Kids, Ease Crafted Grooves Decor Kit of 2 Houses/4 ppl/Fondant/Snowflakes/Candies/Jellies/Beads/Buttons/Tray 30 Pcs Set](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/516TBsHEESL._SL160_.jpg)
- HOLIDAY JOY WITH FAMILY: Easy-to-use festive house fun for the entire family. it’s the traditional and perfect activity to keep the kids pleasantly entertained, gingerbread with joyful holiday celebration memories.
- PRE-BAKED: Easy To Use! We made it easier for you. No need to roll, cut, bake, collect candies, or even make a recipe for the icing glue. Perfect Tradition Festival at home, school, or work.
- PRE-GROOVED: Kid-friendly cute embossed Design to guide them through the house design to be creative! Has tons of decorations. This kit has a helpful instruction sheet on the box. just open and decorate.
- COMPLETE DECORATING KIT: Gingerbread Kit, Ready to Build and Decorate Your Own Gingerbread House! Kit contains everything you need for decorating, including 2 houses/4 figures/white-red-green icing & jellies/beads/dots/candies/buttons/trays/roof supporter.
- YUMMY & DELICIOUS: Ginger/Cinnamon Flavor. Great texture and all decorations are edible, and ingredients are on the box. Made on equipment that also processes soy and tree nuts.
- Create Holiday Traditions; build and display a classic gingerbread house together; cozy activity that sparks holiday creativity for kids and adults
- Pre-Baked, No Baking; 6 pre-cut wall and roof panels fit together quickly on a flat tray or table; beginner-friendly assembly for low-stress decorating
- Complete Decorating Kit; includes ready-to-use icing and assorted candies; open the box and start designing with festive colors and textures
- Group-Friendly Fun; ideal for family nights classroom craft time and Christmas parties; engaging for multiple ages and skill levels
- Gift-Ready Presentation; festive packaging for friends neighbors teachers and hosts; charming centerpiece that elevates holiday decor
- The E-Z Build Gingerbread kit includes prebakes gingerbread cookie pieces, two gingerbread cookie figurines, white icing, and a festive assortment of candy
- This gingerbread cookie kit is the perfect craft activity for you and the kids
- Create A Treat E-Z Build house kit is made in a peanut free and tree nut free facility
- Made in Canada
- Kosher Certfiied
- Complete DIY Gingerbread House Kit (1.6 lbs): Includes everything you need—pre-baked gingerbread panels, colorful candies, and white icing for decorating and assembling your festive masterpiece.
- Assembly Required for Family Fun: Perfect holiday activity for kids, parents, and friends! Build and decorate your own gingerbread house from scratch with easy-to-follow instructions.
- Pre-Baked & Ready to Decorate: No baking needed! Spend less time in the kitchen and more time creating sweet holiday memories.
- Perfect for Gifting & Holiday Parties: Makes a great Christmas gift or party activity. Ideal for kids, classrooms, office parties, or cozy nights at home.
- Safe & Tasty Ingredients: Made with quality ingredients that are fun to build with and delicious to eat—certified for freshness and enjoyment.
- Create A Treat Create-a-Treat Gingerbread Ginger Bread Train Kit,1.83 LB
- Get the family together for gingerbread an afternoon or night of gingerbread-decorating fun
- Ready to assemble with everything you need to build and decorate 4 houses
- Net weight: 1.87 pound . (850 gram)
- Assembled houses measure between 3.25 and 4 in. high
- Includes 4 sets of gingerbread house panels, 3 types of candy, green fondant, red and white ready-to-use icing, 2 decorating bags and tips and instruction sheet
- Complete DIY Gingerbread House Kit (2 lbs): Includes everything you need—pre-baked gingerbread panels, colorful candies, and white icing for decorating and assembling your festive masterpiece.
- Assembly Required for Family Fun: Perfect holiday activity for kids, parents, and friends! Build and decorate your own gingerbread house from scratch with easy-to-follow instructions.
- Pre-Baked & Ready to Decorate: No baking needed! Spend less time in the kitchen and more time creating sweet holiday memories.
- Perfect for Gifting & Holiday Parties: Makes a great Christmas gift or party activity. Ideal for kids, classrooms, office parties, or cozy nights at home.
- Safe & Tasty Ingredients: Made with quality ingredients that are fun to build with and delicious to eat—certified for freshness and enjoyment.
The Ultimate Gingerbread House Kit Buying Guide
Building a gingerbread house is a magical holiday tradition. A good kit makes the whole process fun and easy. This guide helps you choose the best one for your family.
Key Features to Look For
When picking a kit, look closely at what it includes. A great kit saves you stress later.
- Pre-Baked Walls: This is the most important feature. Good kits have sturdy, perfectly shaped pieces. If the pieces are thin or cracked, building will be very frustrating.
- Quality Icing Mix: The icing acts as the “glue.” Look for kits that provide a good amount of royal icing mix. Some cheap kits give you just a tiny packet. You need plenty of strong icing to hold heavy candy decorations.
- Candy Assortment: Check the variety of candy. Do you get basic gumdrops, or are there fun shapes like candy canes, colorful sprinkles, and mini marshmallows? More variety means a more creative house.
- Sturdy Base: The kit should include a strong cardboard or plastic base. This base needs to support the weight of the house and decorations without bending.
Important Materials and Components
The materials inside the box determine how successful your build will be.
The main components are the gingerbread pieces, the icing, and the decorations. Always check the ingredient list if someone in your house has allergies. Most kits use standard flour, sugar, and spices. Make sure the icing mix is fresh; old mix won’t whip up correctly.
Some high-end kits include piping bags and tips. These tools help you decorate neatly. If the kit only includes a small plastic bag, you might want to buy sturdy piping bags separately for cleaner lines.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Quality really matters when you are sticking pieces together!
What Makes a Kit Better:
- Thick Pieces: Thicker gingerbread walls stand up better. They resist crumbling when you press them together.
- Easy-to-Follow Instructions: Clear, step-by-step pictures help everyone, especially kids. Good instructions reduce guesswork.
- Extra Icing: Having extra icing means you can fix mistakes or add extra snow drifts.
What Lowers the Quality:
- Flimsy Packaging: If the box is damaged when you buy it, the gingerbread pieces might be broken inside.
- Stale Candy: Old candy tastes waxy and doesn’t stick well. Check the “Best By” date if possible.
- Weak Icing Powder: If the powder doesn’t activate well with water, your walls will collapse.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about who is building the house. This affects which kit you should buy.
For Young Builders (Ages 5-8): Look for kits labeled “Easy Assembly.” These often have fewer, larger pieces and more pre-applied icing designs. The focus here is fun, not architectural perfection. Keep the candy simple.
For Families/Older Kids (Ages 9+): You can choose more complex kits. These kits often feature multiple roof angles or chimney pieces. These projects take longer but offer a greater sense of accomplishment. This is a great activity for a cozy afternoon indoors.
Use Case: Classroom Activity: If you plan to use the kit for a large group, buy several identical kits. This ensures everyone has the same starting materials. Also, consider buying extra bulk candy to supplement the small amounts in the box.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Gingerbread House Kits
Q: How long does it take to build a gingerbread house?
A: A simple kit takes about one hour for assembly and initial decoration. If you let the icing dry completely (usually overnight) before adding heavy candy, the total project time spreads over two days.
Q: Do I need to buy anything extra?
A: Most kits supply the basics. However, you often need a mixing bowl, water, an electric mixer (for the icing), and perhaps extra piping bags or parchment paper for neater work.
Q: Can I eat the gingerbread pieces?
A: Yes, they are made from edible ingredients. However, if the house sits out for several weeks, the gingerbread becomes very hard and stale. It is generally safer and tastier to eat the extra candy.
Q: My walls are leaning! How do I fix this?
A: Apply thick lines of fresh icing to the leaning edges. Hold the walls in place for several minutes until the icing sets slightly. You can also use small cans or glasses as temporary supports while the icing dries.
Q: What is the best way to store the finished house?
A: Keep the house in a cool, dry place. Avoid warm rooms or humid kitchens. Heat melts the icing, and humidity makes the gingerbread soft.
Q: Are there kits available without nuts?
A: Many kits are naturally nut-free, but you must check the packaging. If there is a severe allergy, look for kits specifically labeled “allergy-friendly” or made in a dedicated facility.
Q: How much icing is enough?
A: You need enough icing to create a strong bead along every seam. If the kit seems light on icing, buy a separate tub of vanilla frosting or royal icing mix to supplement it.
Q: Should I assemble the house before decorating?
A: Yes. Assemble the main structure (walls and roof) first. Let that structure dry completely, usually for several hours or overnight. Then, decorate the dried structure.
Q: What is the difference between a pre-made kit and a DIY kit?
A: A pre-made kit gives you everything ready to go. A DIY kit often just gives you the baked gingerbread shapes and maybe a recipe for the icing, requiring you to supply most of the decorations and mixing.
Q: Can I make the gingerbread pieces myself instead of buying a kit?
A: Absolutely. Making your own allows you to control the flavor and thickness. However, cutting the pieces perfectly requires sharp templates and careful baking, which is why kits save time.