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Home » Science Experiments for Kids » How strong is a gingerbread house

How strong is a gingerbread house

Modified: Nov 15, 2022 · Published: Nov 16, 2020 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

This is a great Christmas science activity or for World Book Day to sit alongside reading The Gingerbread Man or Hansel and Gretel.

It’s also a brilliant Christmas baking STEM challenge! Challenge your friends to make a house and test to see whose is the strongest!

Gingerbread house STEM Challenge - this would be great for a Christmas STEM Challenge too.

If you don’t fancy baking the gingerbread an easier idea is to use square ready-made biscuits or crackers in a tent shape like the image below.

gingerbread house for a science experiment.


Ask children to make predictions drawing on existing knowledge as to which substance will hold the house together most effectively.


This is also a great activity for practising designing a fair test and carrying out correct experimental procedures.

How to make a Gingerbread House

Gingerbread House

Gingerbread pieces

Icing sugar/marshmallow fluff / royal icing / liquid glucose

Sweets

Investigation Instructions

The easiest way to do this is to bake a thin sheet of gingerbread and use cutters to cut it immediately after taking it out of the oven. This ensures all the pieces are exactly the same size.

We used two squares and two smaller rectangles, but you could use any shape you wanted.

Build a gingerbread house for each type of sticky substance you are testing. Try to use a similar amount for each wall on each house.

Leave overnight to harden.

Gingerbread houses, made for a science experiment testing which materials are best to stick them together. #Scienceforkids #funscience #kitchenscience

Image taken from Snackable Science

Factors to keep constant

Size of gingerbread pieces

Amount of sticky substance used

Time left to harden

Type of sticky substance

How to test for strength

Pick up the house and see if it stays intact.

Roll a marble or small ball at the house. Does it fall over?

Gingerbread house
Instructions for a gingerbread house investigation
Gingerbread House Investigation
Gingerbread house experiment - lab report sheet
Gingerbread House Investigation Lab Report

Suitable for Key Stage 1 Science

Using observations to suggest answers to questions

Performing simple tests

Using scientific language to answer a question describing how to carry out a fair test.

If you don’t want to bake, try using three rectangular biscuits. You could even give them to friends as gifts. 

Biscuit houses inspired by the lovely Red Ted Art.

Easy biscuit houses for Christmas

More Science for Kids

If you liked this idea I have LOTS more kitchen science experiments to share.

You might also like my Kitchen Science Bake OFF!!

Another idea is to add some edible glass to your gingerbread house. The easiest way to do this is to cut out a window shape before baking and place a clear mint or two inside. The mint will melt and look like a window!

test different sticky materials to investigation which hold a gingerbread house together the best #kitchenscience #scienceforkids #christmasscience #gingerbreadhouse

Images are taken from Snackable Science which is full of awesome edible experiments for kids!

Affiliate links

Last Updated on November 15, 2022 by Emma Vanstone

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Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

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