Mr. & Mrs. Claus

 May I present the world's most famous couple, straight out of the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

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Mr & Mrs Claus Craft found on TPT by Little Kinder Bears

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Gingerbread Man Science Activity

You know what? It’s amazing how much more fun and magic Christmas can add to things that may be seen as normal or everyday. We’ve been doing baking soda and vinegar reactions a lot. They are fun but when we added a little festive flair, the kids were wide eyed like they had never seen it before! Needless to say, this Fizzy Gingerbread Man was a huge hit! Perfect for making learning fun in December. 

 

I wish I would have thought to add All Spice and Cinnamon to bring out the smell of the season. Plus it will cut down the vinegar smell!  

Little Gingerbread Boys and Girls

Some of my favorite holiday activities is crafting with preschoolers and this Gingerbread Friends craft is awesome for teaching about friendship.

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Gingerbread Man craft found on TPT by Little Kinder Bears

Gingerbread House found on TPT

Gingerbread Man Hats found on TPT by Staci

Gingerbread Cookies

I don’t think any Christmas Cookie Decorating party is complete without gingerbread men cookies to decorate. There’s something about these little people that unleashes the creativity in kids (and brings out the kid inside every adult)

 

I wasn't as organized as I usually am and totally forgot to purchase decorations for our cookies. We had to use a lot of icing but the kids were not complaining. =)

REcipe INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 C PACKED Dark Brown Sugar
• 1 stick 1/2 C butter, softened
• 2 Eggs
• 1/4 C Molasses
• 3 3/4 C sifted all purpose flour
• 2 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 3/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

INSTRUCTIONS

• Measure out 3 1/2 C of all purpose flour and sift into a bowl. Spoon the flour into measuring cup(s) do NOT PACK!! Once you have 3 3/4 C flour measured out, pour it into a separate bowl and add in the nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Sift these ingredients together until fully combined and set aside.
• In your stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until thoroughly combined, add in the eggs and molasses and mix until fully incorporated.
• Add the dry ingredients 1 C at a time until it's all been added and mixed in. You may have to forgo the mixer and use a wooden spoon.
• Remove the dough from the bowl and wrap in plastic wrap; place in the fridge until firm, about 45 minutes.
• Pre-heat the oven to 350°F
• Remove the dough from the fridge and let sit while you line cookie sheets with parchment paper, flour your work surface lightly and dust your rolling pin with flour.
• Using 1 C of dough at at time, roll the dough out on your floured surface until it's 1/8 to 1/4" thick - depends on you.
• Use your favorite cookie cutter, cut out your gingerbread and place on parchment lined cookie sheets.
• Bake about 8 minutes, or until they just begin to brown on the edges.
• Place on wire racks to cool.
• Use your favorite icing recipe.