Paper Plate and Dot Sticker Gingerbread House Craft Idea

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Some of the best holiday crafts start with a paper plate and a sheet of stickers. This paper plate and dot sticker gingerbread house craft is bright, cheerful, and simple enough for little hands, yet it still feels special once it’s finished.

Kids get to cut, draw, peel, and stick their way to a cozy little cottage. The paper plate becomes a rounded, candy-dotted roof. A sheet of brown paper turns into the house, complete with round windows and an arched door. A tiny gingerbread man waits by the front step to welcome visitors.

This craft is a great fit for classroom parties, holiday break afternoons, or a quiet morning at the kitchen table. It uses supplies you probably already have, and most kids can finish it in under 30 minutes.

Craft Supplies:

1 paper plate, cut in half for the roof
Brown construction paper for the house body
Colorful dot stickers
Black marker, ideally a thick one for bold lines
Gingerbread man and holiday stickers
Scissors (kid-safe scissors for little ones)
Glue stick or white school glue

Directions:

Step 1: Cut the Paper Plate in Half

Fold the paper plate in half and press down along the crease. Then cut along the fold line to make two half circles.

You only need one half for the roof. Save the other half for a second house or another craft day.

Tip: If your plate is plain white, now is a good time to color or paint it. Let paint dry fully before moving on.

Step 2: Cut and Shape the Brown Paper Base

Cut a tall rectangle from the brown construction paper. This will be the body of your gingerbread house.

To get the size right, lay the half plate on top of the paper with the flat edge down. The rectangle should be a little narrower than the plate, so the roof hangs over the sides like a real roof. Make it tall enough to fit two windows and a door.

Tip for parents and teachers: Pre-cut the rectangles for younger kids, or draw cutting lines so they can follow along.

Step 3: Draw the Windows

Now for the fun details. Using the black marker, draw two circles side by side near the top of the brown paper. These are the windows.

Inside each circle, draw a plus sign (+) to make four small window panes. This crosshair design gives the house a classic, storybook look.

Encourage kids to trace over their lines a second time to make them bold and easy to see.

Step 4: Draw an Arched Door with a Doorknob

Near the bottom center of the brown paper, draw a tall door with a rounded, arched top. Start from the bottom edge, draw up one side, curve across the top, and come back down the other side.

Add a small solid dot on one side of the door for the doorknob. Your house is starting to look ready for guests!

Step 5: Decorate the Roof with Dot Stickers

This is the step kids love most. Peel off the colorful dot stickers and press them all over the curved side of the paper plate.

There’s no wrong way to do this. Kids can scatter the dots at random, make patterns, or group them by color. The dots look like gumdrops and candy buttons, which fits the gingerbread theme perfectly.

Bonus: Peeling and placing stickers is wonderful fine motor practice for preschoolers.

Step 6: Assemble the House

Lay the brown paper house flat. Spread glue along the top edge of the brown paper.

Place the half plate on top with the flat side down and the curved, decorated side facing up. Let the roof overlap the top of the house slightly so the two pieces stay connected. Press firmly and hold for a few seconds.

If you’re using a background sheet, glue the finished house onto it now.

Step 7: Add the Details

Finish your cottage by sticking a gingerbread man sticker near the bottom of the house, right beside the door. It looks like he just stepped outside to say hello.

And that’s it. Your paper plate gingerbread house is complete!

This paper plate and dot sticker gingerbread house craft proves that holiday magic doesn’t need fancy supplies. With a plate, some paper, and a handful of stickers, kids can build a bright little cottage they’ll be proud to show off all season long.

Grab your supplies and give it a try this week. Then share a photo of your finished house with friends and family, or snap a picture for social media and spread the holiday cheer. We’d love to see how your little ones make this craft their own! Happy crafting, my friends!