Even the busiest gingerbread man needs a good night’s sleep after a long day of running from the fox! This Paper Plate Sleeping Gingerbread Man Craft tucks a sweet little cookie into his own cozy bed, complete with a candy-covered blanket and a fluffy “frosting” trim made from simple dot stickers.
We came up with this idea here at Glued To My Crafts, and we’re so excited to finally share it with you. It’s bright, it’s festive, and it might be the cutest thing ever to come out of a pack of paper plates. So on that note, grab your glue stick and let’s get this gingerbread man tucked in!
Craft Supplies:
- SMALL Gingerbread Man Printable – on our landing page
- Light Brown Colored Cardstock Paper
- Two Large Paper Plates {two different colors/prints}
- Scissors
- Markers
- School Glue
- Stapler
- Dot Stickers
- Embellishments
Most of these supplies are easy to find in your home or at a local craft store. Customization is encouraged, so feel free to substitute or add materials depending on what you have on hand!
Directions:
Step 1: Print and Cut Out Your Gingerbread Man
Print the free gingerbread man template directly onto brown cardstock or kraft paper. Carefully cut around the outline. Younger kids may need a grown-up to help with the curvy arms and head, while older kids can usually handle it on their own.
Step 2: Draw a Sleepy Face
Next, draw his sleepy face. Two gentle curved lines make perfect closed eyes, and a small curved smile shows he’s having sweet dreams. Add little eyelashes if you’d like a gingerbread girl!
Step 3: Create the Paper Plate Bed
Set one paper plate aside as your bed. This whole plate becomes the headboard and mattress.
Now take your second paper plate and cut it straight across the middle to make a half circle. This half plate will become the blanket.
Step 4: Tuck In Your Gingerbread Man
Here’s the sweetest part! Place your gingerbread man in the center of the whole plate so his head and shoulders sit in the top half. Glue him down.
Then glue the candy-covered half plate over the bottom of the whole plate, lining up the curved edges. Your gingerbread man’s lower body will disappear under the blanket, so it looks like he’s snuggled in for the night.
Step 5: Add the Frosting Blanket Trim
Peel white dot stickers one at a time and press them along the straight top edge of the blanket. Overlap each dot slightly with the one before it to create a scalloped, fluffy border.
This trim looks just like a line of piped frosting, and it’s such an easy way to give the craft that gingerbread-house charm. Kids love this step because it’s simple, satisfying, and great fine motor practice too.
Step 6: Decorate With Gems and Bows
Now it’s time for some sparkle! Press a rhinestone gem onto the center of the face for a shiny gumdrop nose. Red is classic, but green and blue look just as sweet.
If any of the gingerbread body peeks above the blanket, add a gem or two down the chest as candy buttons. For a gingerbread girl, pop a bow sticker on top of her head. And just like that, your gingerbread friend is tucked in and ready for sweet dreams!
RELATED —> Paper Plate Sleeping Teddy Bear Craft
This Paper Plate Sleeping Gingerbread Man Craft is proof that the simplest supplies can make the most magical holiday memories. With a couple of paper plates, our free template, and a handful of dot stickers, your kids can create a cozy little cookie they’ll be proud to show off all season long.
We’d love to see your sleepy gingerbread friends! Snap a photo and share it on social media, tagging @gluedtomycrafts so we can cheer you on. And don’t forget to download your free gingerbread man template linked above! Happy crafting, and sweet dreams! 🍪
