Faux Gingerbread Man Cookies
If you’re in the mood to decorate, whip up a batch of these fake gingerbread man cookies using foam clay. It’s a fun holiday craft for tiered trays, displays, and even to use on a Christmas garland!
RELATED READING: Dollar Tree Gingerbread Candy Jar DIY
Gingerbread Man Cookies from Foam Clay
Here at Berry and Pine, I love finding new craft mediums and this foam clay is no exception to the awesome stuff I buy (and then promptly forget about). I used this clay to make the antlers on this adorable standing reindeer gnome and have left it untouched since.
That all changed today when I whipped up a batch of foam gingerbread men for a display. My kitchen is going to be decorated with gingerbread-inspired decor, so I’ve been busy making items like these.
Today’s easy Christmas DIY is done in stages and has some time for you to do wait on paint to dry. While you’re waiting, come visit Berry and Pine on Facebook.
RELATED READING: DIY Dollar Tree Canvas Ornaments Using Decoupage
Ways to Use These Faux Cookies
If you’re not familiar with it, this foam clay is very closely related to the children’s foam modeling clay that is in ALL the craft stores. It’s so soft and easy to work with that it can even be used in molds.
I’m going to pop these onto the top of a tiered tray in my kitchen. They’re the perfect size to fit up there with a mini planter or tiny sign.
You could also string these onto a garland! Use a darning needle, some baker’s twine, and some felted wool balls and you have the cutest little gingerbread themed garland to string up on the tree or anywhere else.
Dollar Tree Faux Gingerbread Cookies Video Tutorial
If you’re a visual learner like I am, join me over on the Berry and Pine YouTube channel to watch these gingerbread Christmas craft ideas come to life.
While you’re there, please subscribe and turn on notifications. I share new holiday crafts each week, so you’ll be sure to be inspired.
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Materials Needed for This Christmas DIY
Below are the materials I used but check your stash to see what you can use up. If your craft room is anything like mine, it might be overflowing with possibilities.
NOTE: For this project, I used what I’ve found to be the softest clay with the least amount of shrinkage.
- foam clay
- gingerbread cookie cutter
- brown acrylic paint and a foam brush
- white puffy paint
How to Make Gingerbread Man Cookies
Below is the step by step tutorial with a couple of images to guide you. If you’d prefer to print this craft, please scroll down.
First, clean your surface as the foam clay will pick up anything. Tear off a handful of clay and flatten it with the palm of your hand. Flip and flatten again until it is 1/4 inch thick and even-ish (it doesn’t have to be perfect).
With any leftover clay, roll small balls for buttons to be glued on later.
Next, use the cookie cutter to make the gingerbread man cookie shape and gently release it. Lay it flat to dry and repeat twice more for three cookies in total.
Let the clay dry. I let it dry one day on the top and then flipped it over and let it dry on the back for the same.
Once the cookies are dry, paint two coats of the honeycomb paint, letting dry in between.
Use puffy paint to create eyes and a smile. Add squiggle lines (not sure of the real term) to the arms and legs, mimicking the gingerbread design. Let dry.
Glue on the buttons using hot glue or craft glue and your gingerbread cookies are ready!
More Crafts You Might Like
- Stained Wood Snowman DIY – Using craft store shelf sitters, let’s make some high-end snowmen with a bit of wood stain.
- Beautiful Decoupage Coasters DIY – Head to the Dollar Tree for the wood planks and get started making a set of these to fit your decor (or sell).
- Dollar Tree Gingerbread House – Oh, the easy crafts are the best! Grab the same paint used in this cookie project for the cutest little house.
Please Save or Share This Christmas Craft Idea
Your shares are how this site and the Berry and Pine YouTube channel grow and I am sincerely grateful. Please save this Christmas craft on a holiday DIY pin board or share it in a Facebook group.
Faux Gingerbread Man Cookies
This is a fun Christmas craft for you and these faux gingerbread cookies couldn't be cuter! Add these to tiered trays, tucked into a display, strung onto a garland, or glued around a candle jar to hold an LED light.
Materials
Tools
- gingerbread man cookie cutter
- hot glue gun and glue sticks
Instructions
- First, clean the surface as the foam clay will pick up anything. Tear off a handful of clay and flatten it with the palm of your hand. Flip and flatten again until it is 1/4 inch thick and even-ish (it doesn't have to be perfect).
- With any leftover clay, roll small balls for buttons to be glued on later. You can also make little foam candies from the excess clay.
- Next, use the cookie cutter to make the gingerbread man cookie shape and gently release it. Lay it flat to dry and repeat twice more for three cookies in total.
- Let the clay dry. I let it dry one day on the top and then flipped it over and let it dry on the back for the same.
- Once the cookies are dry, paint two coats of the honeycomb paint, letting dry in between.
- Use puffy paint to create eyes and a smile. Add squiggle lines (not sure of the real term) to the arms and legs, mimicking the gingerbread design. Let dry.
- Glue on the buttons using hot glue or craft glue and your gingerbread cookies are ready!
Notes
Air dry, polymer, or children's foam modeling clay can be used for this project, as well. Only the foam clay will have the soft texture shown here.
