Gingerbread Man Template and One Sweet Class Bulletin Board

This gingerbread man template makes a sweet Christmas classroom craft! Print the blank gingerbread outlines, let children decorate them, and turn their creations into a “One Sweet Class!” gingerbread bulletin board.

I printed and tested two sizes of the gingerbread outlines and tried the bows and buttons on the actual cutouts. The larger version gives children plenty of space to add decorations and a photo.

I also made a separate gingerbread man coloring page for kids who would rather color a finished design. Both printables are linked below, so teachers and families can choose what works best.

Printable Gingerbread Man Template and Outline

The free gingerbread man outline packet has two blank gingerbread cutouts on the first page, plus red and green bows, a spoon, and a spatula on the second page. There are no printed faces, photo circles, buttons, or icing designs on the outlines, so every child can decorate one differently.

Print on brown cardstock for ready-to-decorate gingerbread people, or use white cardstock if children want to color their own. Cut them out for a gingerbread man craft, or use the outlines as tracing templates.

Why You’ll Love This Gingerbread Craft

• Simple outlines: The blank design is easy to customize.
• Classroom-friendly: Print two gingerbread cutouts per page.
• Personalized: Add student photos, bows, and buttons.
• Versatile: Make individual Christmas crafts or a December bulletin board.
• Bonus printable: A separate ready-to-color gingerbread picture is included below.

Supplies for the Gingerbread Man Photo Craft

• Printable gingerbread man template
• Brown or white cardstock
• Scissors
• Student photographs (optional)
• Glue
• Printed red and green bows
• Buttons, round stickers, or dot markers
• White paint pen or marker for icing details (optional)

For the bulletin board, you’ll also want green backing paper, a Christmas border, gray paper for a baking-sheet shape, and letters for “One Sweet Class!”

How to Make a Gingerbread Man Cut Out Craft

1. Print the outline. Choose brown cardstock for a gingerbread cookie look or white cardstock for decorating with crayons or markers.

2. Cut out the gingerbread person

3. Add a photo or face. For the larger gingerbread person, I tested a 2-inch round circle against the head and found that it fit nicely. Glue a round student photo onto the head, or let children draw their own faces.

4. Decorate. Add a red or green paper bow at the neck or side of the head. Decorate with buttons or stickers and draw optional white icing lines.

5. Display. Hang the decorated gingerbread people individually, or arrange them together on a classroom bulletin board.

Gingerbread Man Coloring Page

Bonus Gingerbread Coloring Page: For an extra Christmas classroom activity, I’ve included a gingerbread coloring sheet with candy canes, peppermint candies, and stars. Kids can color it while working on their gingerbread crafts or use it as a separate holiday activity.

Christmas Bulletin Board Ideas: One Sweet Class!

One of my favorite ways to use these gingerbread man printables is a “One Sweet Class!” Christmas bulletin board. Cover the board in green paper, add a festive border, and use a large gray paper rectangle as a pretend baking tray for all the gingerbread cookies.

Arrange the students’ decorated gingerbread people on the tray, spell “One Sweet Class!” above them, and place the printable spoon and spatula beside the tray to finish the baking theme.

Bulletin board tip: The printable spoon and spatula are smaller than oversized decorations in a large bulletin board display. Enlarge them when printing, or trace the shapes onto larger paper, if you want them to stand out.

December Bulletin Board Ideas and Variations

• Photo gingerbread people: Add each child’s photograph for a personalized classroom display.
• Drawn faces: Let students decorate the blank outline without photos.
• Individual crafts: Send decorated gingerbread cutouts home instead of making a full board.
• Coloring activity: Use the bonus gingerbread picture for a quick holiday art center.

Melissa’s Tips for Making a Gingerbread Bulletin Board

• Choose the larger outline for photos: My tested larger version was approximately 5 by 7 inches; the smaller version was about 4 by 6 inches.
• Use a 2-inch round photo: I tested a 2-inch circle against the larger head, and it fit well.
• Keep decorations simple: The printable bows have a basic shape that’s easy to cut out.
• Use alternative buttons: Dot markers or stickers work when you don’t want to use loose buttons. Supervise small pieces.
• Leave room for individuality: Since the templates are blank, no two finished gingerbread people need to look alike.

Gingerbread Template FAQs

Is this a gingerbread man outline or a coloring page?

The main packet includes blank gingerbread outlines for cutting, tracing, and decorating. There is also a separate gingerbread man coloring page with a face, buttons, icing details, and candy decorations.

What size photo works for the gingerbread craft?

I tested a 2-inch circle against the larger gingerbread head, and it fit nicely. Trim your student photos to fit the head and glue them on top.

What if a student can’t use a photo?

They can draw a face on the blank gingerbread outline, or use the bonus gingerbread man coloring page instead. No student photo is required.

Can I print the gingerbread template on white paper?

Yes! White cardstock is a good option if children want to color and decorate their own gingerbread people.

More Christmas Crafts for Kids

For more ideas, browse our Christmas crafts for kids and our salt dough Christmas ornament ideas.