Instead of gingerbread houses – which are way too much work with kids – we make graham cracker houses.
We invite a bunch of friends over and make graham cracker houses. I usually build a bunch of houses the morning before the party so they’re dry and ready for candy when the kids arrive.
Ingredients
Graham crackers
Powdered Sugar
Water
Candy or other toppings of your choice
Small candy’s are best. Red hots, mini pretzels, mini candy canes, grated coconut, mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, etc.
For the icing/cement I mix two cups of powdered sugar, and 1 Tbsp of water. Add more powdered sugar or water as needed to get a thick spreading consistency. I like to put my icing in a plastic sandwich bag, cut a tiny hole in one corner, and then pipe the icing out. The kids prefer to mix it in a bowl and then use a spoon to spread the icing everywhere – including their houses.
Graham cracker houses are really easy, and a great holiday party idea if you have kids (or if you just like playing with candy and icing)
Here’s my house.
Side of my house
One of the kids houses. It looks like a tent to me. They made many other houses as well. The party is always so much fun. Just warn parents ahead of time that there will be lots and lots of sugar! I always make a couple crockpots of chili and meat balls so there is protein to balance out some of the sugar.
And, a melting house. This batch of icing was a tad thin and ended up slipping but I think it looks pretty cool!
And, as a plus, these houses are just as much fun to eat as they are to make!
Such a cute house. I have to make it with my children:)
This looks like so much fun and much easier than gingerbread houses.
What a fun idea for a party!
I’m that mean mommy who doesn’t let her kids eat candy. We make lots of houses with craft materials but none with candy. I’m still trying to find a way to invent a healthy version that my kids will be happy to make and to eat 🙁
Hmmm…I wonder if there’s a way to do something like this with vegetables. I’m just not sure what you would use for “glue”
So cute! I want to make one with my girl’s. Thanks for the idea.
And after the sugar kicks in, you have them run laps around the house to burn it off!
Well, that is the nice thing about the party. We have all their friends over, they run around and eat candy all night, and then basically can’t stay awake by the time everyone leaves. IT works out great!
These are so cute and it’s such a great idea! I’m going to try it with my boys. Thank you!
We did this with our children when they were young. They put the houses on cookie sheets and then built paths, fences and trees too. It is a great memory!
Yes! It definitely makes for great memories 🙂
I think this is much better than gingerbread houses especially in the humidity where I live. Every time we make one, the gingerbread becomes very moist and the house starts to warp. Crackers here I come!
Cute! I like the variety of things you used to decorate! We love making graham cracker houses!
Get OUT! These are adorable!!!!! We will def be making these!
This sounds like a fun idea! I love building things with my kids.
We have made a version of graham cracker houses, being as we like graham crackers far more than gingerbread. Your sides look terrific.
I used to love making these. So much easier than attempting gingerbread houses!
They’re WAY easier than gingerbread houses. And way more fun for the kids 🙂
So fun! I love how the rock candy looks like fieldstones. The pretzels are perfect for the roof too!
What a fun idea. I’d love to make something like these this holiday season. Thank you for sharing!
Graham cracker houses are so much easier than gingerbread cut-out houses. Those never turn out for me! And gotta say, I’m loving the little tent house! Looks like your kiddos has a lot of fun.