Making gingerbread houses is a beloved holiday tradition that brings families together for creative fun. These edible structures have been popular since the 1800s, inspired by the fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel. Gingerbread house kits make this activity accessible to everyone by providing pre-baked pieces and decorating supplies in one convenient package.
A good gingerbread house kit saves time and reduces mess compared to baking from scratch. The kits typically include walls, roof pieces, icing for assembly, and various candies for decoration. Some kits come with multiple houses or special themes, while others focus on simple designs perfect for young children.
The most important factors to consider when choosing a kit are the quality of the gingerbread pieces and the type of icing included. Sturdy, thick walls prevent collapse during assembly, while royal icing that dries hard creates stronger joints than basic frosting. We researched and tested multiple gingerbread house kits to find the ones that offer the best combination of durability, ease of assembly, and decorating potential.
Best Gingerbread House Kits
We tested dozens of gingerbread house kits to find the ones that are easy to build and taste great. Our top picks include options for beginners and experienced builders alike.
1. SEWANTA Gingerbread House Kit
This kit offers good value with two houses and plenty of decorations, though you might encounter some quality control issues with broken pieces.
Pros
- Comes with two complete houses and tons of colorful decorations including candies, jellies, and icing
- Pre-baked pieces with helpful grooves make assembly straightforward for kids
- No baking or mixing required – everything is ready to use right from the box
Cons
- Gingerbread pieces sometimes arrive cracked or broken during shipping
- Icing tubes lack proper tips, making decoration application messy and difficult
- Build quality can be inconsistent between different kits from the same brand
We found this SEWANTA kit strikes a nice balance between price and contents. The two houses give you plenty of decorating fun for the money. Each house comes out to a decent size that kids can really sink their teeth into.
The pre-made grooves in the gingerbread pieces work well for guiding little hands during assembly. Our test showed the pieces fit together nicely when they arrive intact. The ginger-cinnamon flavor tastes authentic and not overly sweet.
The decoration selection impressed us most. You get a solid variety of colorful candies, jellies, and different shaped pieces. The kit includes enough supplies to make both houses look festive without running out of materials halfway through.
Quality control seems to be the biggest issue we encountered. Some pieces arrived with cracks that made building frustrating. The icing application also proved tricky without proper dispensing tips on the tubes.
For families wanting two houses to decorate, this kit delivers reasonable value despite its flaws. Just inspect the pieces carefully when you open the box and have backup icing ready if needed.
2. Taboom Large Gingerbread House Kit
We recommend this kit for families wanting a hassle-free holiday activity, though you should expect a medium-sized house rather than a truly large one.
Pros
- No baking needed with 13 ready-made pieces that save time and effort
- Includes everything required like icing tubes and a sturdy plastic tray for building
- Simple assembly makes it perfect for kids and beginners to enjoy
Cons
- The “large” size is misleading as the finished house is quite small
- Some kits arrive with broken pieces that make assembly difficult
- Icing quality can be hit or miss depending on how long it sits
We found the Taboom kit delivers on its promise of easy assembly. The pre-cut pieces fit together well when they arrive intact. The plastic building tray makes construction much more stable than working on a regular plate.
The included icing comes in tubes that are simple to squeeze. We appreciated not having to mix our own frosting. The consistency worked well for both attaching walls and adding decorative touches.
Size expectations need adjustment with this product. Despite the “large” label, we ended up with a modest gingerbread house. It works fine for one or two kids but might disappoint if you expect something impressive for display.
Quality control seems inconsistent based on our experience. While our kit arrived perfectly, we know others have received damaged pieces. The packaging protects most shipments well, but fragile gingerbread can still break during transport.
3. M&M’s Holiday House Decorating Kit
This kit offers a fun twist on traditional gingerbread houses but comes with some assembly challenges that might frustrate younger kids.
Pros
- Everything comes ready to use with pre-baked chocolate cookies and prepared icing
- Kids love the colorful M&M’s candies for decorating and snacking
- Extra coloring book and stickers add bonus entertainment value
Cons
- Chocolate cookies break more easily than traditional gingerbread pieces
- Pre-made icing doesn’t hold pieces together as strongly as fresh royal icing
- Small package size means limited decorating supplies for multiple children
We found this M&M’s kit perfect for families who want instant gratification without mixing dough or waiting for baking time. The chocolate cookies taste great and give the house a unique flavor compared to regular gingerbread.
Assembly took us about 20 minutes, though we needed to be gentle with the cookie walls. The icing works well enough to hold everything together, but we noticed it’s not as sturdy as homemade versions.
Our kids enjoyed decorating with the M&M’s candies, though we wished there were more included in the package. The coloring book kept them busy while the icing set, which was a nice touch we didn’t expect.
This kit works best for small groups or individual kids rather than big family gatherings. We recommend having extra M&M’s on hand since the included amount runs out quickly when multiple children are decorating.
4. NABISCO Create-A-Treat E-Z Build Gingerbread House Kit
This kit works well for families who want a quick holiday activity without the hassle of baking from scratch.
Pros
- Special base and roof holder make building much easier than typical kits
- Pre-baked pieces are sturdy and don’t break during assembly
- Complete kit includes everything needed with clear instructions
Cons
- Limited candy decorations may not be enough for elaborate designs
- Icing amount feels short for full decoration coverage
- Cookie taste is just okay compared to homemade versions
We found the NABISCO Create-A-Treat E-Z Build Gingerbread House Kit saved us hours of prep time during busy holiday weeks. The grooved base tray holds walls in place while the icing sets. This makes construction much less frustrating than other kits we’ve tried.
The gingerbread pieces feel solid in your hands. We didn’t worry about them cracking during assembly like cheaper alternatives. The included roof support keeps everything stable while decorating.
Our biggest complaint centers on the decoration supplies. Two small candy packs don’t go very far when kids want to get creative. The icing tube runs out before you finish all the detail work.
Building takes about 30 minutes with young children helping. The bonus cookie snack pack kept kids happy while waiting for walls to dry. Overall, this kit delivers a solid holiday activity without major headaches.
5. GingerKits Holiday House Kit
We recommend this kit for families looking for a simple holiday activity, though the small size might disappoint those expecting larger houses.
Pros
- Everything comes ready to use with no baking required
- Two complete kits provide good value for group activities
- Pre-baked pieces stay fresh for months with distant expiration dates
Cons
- Houses are surprisingly small at only 5.5 inches
- Limited decorating supplies might not satisfy creative kids
- Product photos make the houses appear much larger than reality
We found the GingerKits Holiday House Kit delivers exactly what busy families need for quick holiday fun. The pre-baked gingerbread pieces fit together easily without any mixing or baking mess in our kitchen.
The biggest surprise was how compact these houses actually are. At 5.5 inches, they’re much smaller than we expected from the product photos. This size works fine for young children but might leave older kids wanting more space to showcase their decorating skills.
Assembly took us about 20 minutes per house once we got the hang of the icing application. The pieces held together well, and we appreciated having two complete kits in one purchase. The included candy decorations provided enough variety for basic designs, though creative decorators might want to add their own extra treats.
The gingerbread itself tastes decent and stayed crisp throughout our decorating session. We were impressed that the expiration date gives us plenty of time to use both kits during the holiday season without rushing.
6. OREO and SOUR PATCH KIDS Holiday Cookie House Kits
This variety pack delivers double the fun with two different themed cookie houses that kids absolutely love decorating.
Pros
- Two complete kits in one package give families more decorating options
- Pre-made cookie walls save hours of baking and prep time
- Sturdy construction makes assembly easy for small hands
Cons
- Limited candy amounts leave decorators wanting more supplies
- Cookie walls taste bland compared to homemade gingerbread
- Icing quantity runs out before decorating is complete
We found these OREO and SOUR PATCH KIDS Holiday Cookie House Kits perfect for busy parents who want holiday fun without the mess of baking. The chocolate cookie walls held together well during our decorating session.
Our kids got excited seeing their favorite candy brands as decorating supplies. The OREO kit includes mini cookies and colorful candy pieces. The SOUR PATCH KIDS version comes with the actual sour candies that kids love to eat while building.
Assembly took about 30 minutes with our 7-year-old helping. The grooved base holds walls in place nicely. We did need to be patient while the icing dried between steps.
The biggest letdown was running short on decorating supplies halfway through both houses. We ended up raiding our own candy stash to finish the roofs and walls properly.
7. Poorbone Christmas Gingerbread Village Set
We recommend this set for basic Christmas decorating needs, though the small size and higher price point may disappoint some buyers.
Pros
- Durable resin construction holds up well to handling and storage
- Bright colors and detailed painting create festive holiday charm
- Compact 3-inch size fits easily on shelves and mantels
Cons
- Price feels steep for three small decorative pieces
- Smaller than expected even with size measurements provided
- Quality varies between individual houses in the set
We found the Poorbone Christmas Gingerbread Village Set delivers on its promise of cute holiday decor. The resin material feels solid in our hands and shows no signs of chipping after several weeks of display.
The painting work impressed us with its attention to small details like windows and door trim. Each house has bright, cheerful colors that catch the light nicely. We appreciate that the finish resists fading even when placed near sunny windows.
However, we were surprised by how tiny these houses actually are. Even knowing they measure about 3 inches, seeing them in person feels different. The set includes two smaller houses and one slightly larger piece, but none make a big visual impact on their own.
The biggest drawback we noticed is the price point. For three small resin decorations, the cost seems high compared to similar holiday decor options. We think most people would be happier paying closer to ten dollars for this set.
8. ONE CANDY WAY Gingerbread House Kit
We recommend this kit for families wanting a stress-free way to build gingerbread houses since everything comes pre-made and ready to assemble.
Pros
- No baking required with six pre-cut panels that fit together easily
- Complete decorating supplies included with ready-to-use icing and candy assortment
- Large size makes an impressive holiday centerpiece when finished
Cons
- Fragile pieces can arrive broken during shipping
- Icing container might be difficult to use for detailed decorating
- Limited candy variety compared to buying decorations separately
We found the ONE CANDY WAY Gingerbread House Kit takes the work out of holiday crafting. The pre-baked panels smell amazing and taste like real gingerbread cookies. Assembly happens quickly on any flat surface without complicated instructions.
The decorating process is where this kit really shines. We appreciate having the icing ready to go right out of the box. The candy selection gives us enough variety to create colorful patterns and fun designs.
Our main concern is shipping damage since the gingerbread pieces can be fragile. We’ve seen some kits arrive with broken roof panels that ruin the whole experience. The icing tube design also makes precise decorating somewhat challenging for detailed work.
This kit works best for casual family fun rather than serious gingerbread architecture. The large finished house makes a nice holiday display that kids feel proud to show off.
9. Taboom Mini Village Kit
We recommend this kit for families who want a fun holiday activity that creates four charming houses instead of one large project.
Pros
- Four separate houses let everyone work on their own creation
- Pre-baked pieces arrive sturdy and ready to assemble right away
- Complete decorating supplies mean no extra shopping trips needed
Cons
- Smaller houses provide less decorating space than traditional single-house kits
- Cookie pieces can break during shipping despite good packaging
- Four projects might feel overwhelming for younger children working alone
We loved how this kit gives everyone their own house to decorate. The four mini structures make it perfect for families with multiple kids or groups who want individual projects.
The pre-baked cookie pieces fit together easily with the included icing. We found the assembly process simple enough for children but sturdy enough to create lasting displays.
All the decorating supplies come in the box. The icing works well as edible glue, and the sprinkles and candy pieces give plenty of creative options for each house.
Our finished village looked great as a holiday centerpiece. The smaller houses take up less space than one large gingerbread house but still create impressive holiday decor that guests always notice.
10. Sarah’s Candy Factory Gingerbread House Kit
This compact kit offers a fun holiday activity at a good price, though the gingerbread pieces can arrive broken during shipping.
Pros
- Everything comes ready to use with no baking required
- Perfect size for single person or small family projects
- Individual packaging keeps all decorating supplies fresh
Cons
- Gingerbread panels often break during shipping
- Smaller than expected for the price point
- Limited candy variety compared to other kits
We found this kit easy to set up once we got past the initial packaging. The pre-baked gingerbread pieces have nice details like windows and doors already cut out. Assembly took about 30 minutes from start to finish.
The icing worked well as both glue and decoration. We liked that each candy type came in its own small packet. This kept everything organized during the decorating process.
Unfortunately, we dealt with several broken pieces right out of the box. The gingerbread seems fragile for shipping. We had to get creative with the icing to hold some cracked walls together.
The finished house looked cute on our counter. The size works well for small spaces or as a quick holiday project. We just wish the pieces arrived in better condition more consistently.
11. ONE CANDY WAY Mini Village Kit
We recommend this kit for families wanting a quick holiday activity that multiple kids can enjoy together without the hassle of baking.
Pros
- Four small houses let everyone work at the same time without fighting over space
- Pre-baked pieces with grooves make assembly super fast and foolproof
- Smaller size fits perfectly in little hands and reduces overwhelming mess
Cons
- Delicate roof pieces can break during shipping and ruin the whole experience
- Limited frosting might not be enough for heavy decorators
- Finished houses are quite small compared to traditional single-house kits
We found this mini village concept works great for busy families. The four separate houses mean our kids could each claim their own project instead of arguing over one big house. Setup took just minutes since everything comes pre-baked with helpful grooves.
The smaller pieces were much easier for our younger children to handle. We didn’t have to worry about giant walls toppling over or massive roof sections breaking. The included candies gave us plenty of decorating options right out of the box.
However, we did notice the packaging could use improvement. One of our roof sections arrived cracked, which really disappointed the kids. The frosting tubes also seemed smaller than expected for four houses worth of decorating.
The finished village looked adorable on our holiday table. We appreciated having multiple completed pieces to display instead of just one house. This kit definitely delivers on the promise of keeping everyone busy during family craft time.
12. Mini Village Gingerbread Kit
This kit offers decent holiday fun but requires extra candy purchases and patience with assembly challenges.
Pros
- Everything comes pre-baked so you can skip the mixing and baking steps
- Four different house designs let you create a whole mini village scene
- Kids can easily handle the grooved pieces without too much adult help
Cons
- The icing consistency makes it hard to keep walls standing upright
- You don’t get enough candy to properly decorate all four houses
- Gingerbread pieces sometimes arrive cracked or broken in shipping
We found this kit saves time since all the gingerbread pieces come ready to assemble. The grooved design makes it easier for kids to fit the walls together. However, we struggled with the icing quality during our decorating session.
The runny icing frustrated us when trying to hold the house walls in place. We had to wait longer between steps for things to set properly. Some of our gingerbread pieces also arrived with small cracks.
We appreciated having four different house styles to build. This creates a nice village display when finished. The kit includes basic candies and jellies, but we needed to buy extra decorations to make all four houses look complete.
The ginger-cinnamon flavor tastes good and the finished houses make a cute holiday decoration. We recommend this for families who don’t mind buying additional candy and dealing with some assembly challenges.
13. GingerKits Large Gingerbread House Kit
This kit delivers a solid holiday activity with all needed supplies included, making it worth buying for families seeking easy Christmas fun.
Pros
- Everything comes ready to use with no baking needed
- Smart groove design makes assembly simple for kids
- Pleasant gingerbread smell fills the room when opened
Cons
- Pieces can break during shipping despite good packaging
- Limited candy variety compared to some other kits
- Only makes one house for the price point
We found this gingerbread kit lives up to its promise of being mess-free and simple. The pre-baked pieces fit together well thanks to the scored grooves. Our kids figured out the assembly quickly without getting frustrated.
The included decorations work great for basic decorating. We got enough icing and candy to make our house look festive. The small gingerbread people add a nice touch that kids love.
Opening the box releases a wonderful gingerbread scent that gets everyone excited. The pieces taste good too, so snacking while decorating is part of the fun. We completed our house in about 45 minutes with two kids helping.
The packaging protects most pieces well during shipping. However, we did find one small crack in a wall piece that didn’t affect the final build. The kit creates a good-sized house that looks impressive when finished.
14. SEWANTA Mini Village Gingerbread Kit
We recommend this kit if you want a complete decorating experience with multiple houses, but be prepared for some assembly challenges.
Pros
- Comes with four separate houses to create an entire mini village
- Everything needed is included from icing to candies and decorating trays
- Pre-grooved design makes it easier for kids to follow decoration patterns
Cons
- Gingerbread pieces can be brittle and may crack during assembly
- Houses are smaller than many people expect them to be
- Assembly requires patience as icing needs time to dry between steps
We found the SEWANTA Mini Village Kit offers great value with four houses in one package. The ginger and cinnamon flavor tastes authentic. All the decorations are colorful and fun to work with.
Setting up the houses takes some care. We learned that warming the gingerbread pieces slightly helps them separate more easily. The pre-made grooves guide where decorations should go, which helps younger kids stay on track.
Our biggest challenge was keeping the walls standing while the icing dried. We had to hold pieces in place for several minutes before they stayed put. Some of our gingerbread cracked at the corners, but we were still able to build all four houses with patience.
The kit includes plenty of decorating supplies. We had leftover icing and candies after finishing all four houses. The different colored icings let us make each house unique, and the jellies and beads added nice variety to our village.
15. Candy Land Mini Gingerbread House Kit
This kit works well for a quick decorating activity, but the quality feels basic for the price point.
Pros
- Everything comes ready to use right out of the box
- Perfect size for young children to handle easily
- Clean activity that doesn’t create much mess
Cons
- Gingerbread pieces are quite thin and can crack easily
- Limited candy selection feels sparse for decorating
- Icing dries out faster than expected during use
We found this kit simple to set up when we tested it with kids. The pre-baked house pieces fit together without much trouble. The white icing holds everything in place well enough for basic construction.
The candy selection is pretty minimal. We got some fruity gummies and a few candy jewels, but it wasn’t enough to really cover the whole house. Kids wanted more decorating options after using what was included.
Assembly took about 15 minutes from start to finish. The gingerbread walls are thinner than we expected, which makes them fragile during handling. We had to be careful not to press too hard when adding decorations.
The finished house looks cute but small. It’s more of a quick craft project than a detailed decorating experience. For families wanting a simple holiday activity, it does the job without requiring extra supplies.
Buying Guide
When we shop for gingerbread house kits, we need to check several key features. The right kit makes building fun and easy.
Kit Contents
We should look for kits that include all the basic parts. Most good kits have pre-baked walls, roof pieces, and icing mix.
Check if the kit includes:
- Gingerbread pieces (walls, roof, chimney)
- Icing or frosting mix
- Candy decorations
- Instructions
Age Range
We must pick kits that match the builder’s age. Young kids need simpler designs with fewer small parts.
Most kits show age ranges on the box. These help us choose the right difficulty level.
Assembly Difficulty
We should consider how hard the kit is to build. Some have complex shapes that need more skill.
Easy kits have flat walls and simple roofs. Hard kits might have curved pieces or detailed parts.
Decoration Options
We want kits with good decoration supplies. More candy and icing colors make the house look better.
Look for kits with different candy types like gumdrops, sprinkles, or chocolate pieces.
Size and Portions
We need to check how big the finished house will be. Larger kits work better for groups or families.
Small kits suit one or two people. Big kits can feed more people when eaten later.
Storage and Shelf Life
We should check expiration dates before buying. Fresh kits build better and taste good.
Look for kits in sealed packages that protect the gingerbread from getting soft.
