Build & Decorate: Top DIY Gingerbread House Kits for Families

We found the Create a Treat Oreo House Kit to be a kid-pleaser thanks to pre-baked pieces, an E-Z Build tray, and ready-to-use icing plus an icing writer. The box includes six house panels, a kid figure and tree piece, eight Oreo cookies, candies, an icing pouch with tip, and the tray, everything for a no-bake build at $14.99. Like the M&M kit, boxed parts can arrive broken, and the premade icing can run thin; let seams set longer or reinforce with extra frosting.

Target's Favorite Day Classic House Gingerbread Kit packs ready-to-use icing, assorted candies, and a roof helper that, in our testing, made alignment easier. However, many buyers report cracked panels out of the box, and our experience shows the icing often lacks holding power or doesn't harden enough for sturdy seams. Candy quantity can also feel sparse versus the box photo. At $12, it's an inexpensive option, but plan to bring extra royal icing and a few candies to finish the look.

If you want a full set of house shapes without buying a full kit, this 10-piece stainless steel cutter set is a smart, budget pick at $11.99. During our review, the steel felt sturdy and cleaned up easily, and the variety of pieces covers all the classic components for a gingerbread house. You will need to bake, assemble, and provide your own icing and candies, as decorations aren't included. Compared with spring-loaded stamp cutters, you trade embossed detail for flexibility and durability.

If you want a zero-stress start, the Wilton PreBuilt Gingerbread Townhouse Kit arrives assembled, so you can decorate immediately with the included ready-to-use icing pouch. In our testing, it was the fastest way to get kids decorating without structural mishaps. The trade-off is scale and selection: the house is on the smaller side and decorations are minimal, with just a few small candy or sprinkle packs, so plan to add extras. At $20, it's a reliable, last-minute crowd-pleaser for a single decorator or duo.

Short on time? The Cookies United M&M Holiday Chocolate House Kit lets you jump right in with pre-baked panels, an icing pouch, and M&M candies, so no baking is required. In our testing, setup was quick and kid-friendly, but we recommend a gentle touch as boxed pieces can be fragile and the pre-made icing may be thinner than ideal for structural seams. For bigger groups, it's a single small-to-medium house, so consider grabbing two kits or extra candy if you want more decorating mileage.

Our experience shows the World Market Candyland Gingerbread House Kit is a sweet, straightforward pick when you want to skip baking and start decorating. Pre-baked panels and mixed candies/sprinkles make setup easy, but the assembled house is petite (about 5.25 x 6.12 x 5.5 inches) and the 29-oz kit doesn’t leave tons of extra candy for heavy embellishing. At $16.99, it’s great for a single decorator or pair, though families may prefer a larger showpiece like Dylan’s. Contains wheat, eggs, soy, and milk.

For households managing food allergies, the YumEarth Organic Gingerbread House Baking Kit delivers peace of mind: it's free from the top nine allergens and includes organic YumEarth candies, festive sprinkles, and icing. In our testing, the clear instructions and labeled packs made prep straightforward. You do need to supply wet ingredients and bake the panels, so budget extra time compared with pre-baked kits. At $29.99, it's a thoughtful choice for inclusive celebrations where everyone can join the decorating fun.

Love to bake from scratch? The King Arthur Baking Company 3-D Gingerbread Cutter Set made cookie pieces with crisp, stamped details in our testing, thanks to the spring-loaded lever, and cleanup was painless since the cutters are top-rack dishwasher safe. The 3-piece set cuts fronts, sides, and roofs; each petite house, about 4 by 4.5 inches, assembles from six cookies, ideal for making multiple minis. Just note there are no candies or icing included, so plan decorations, and baking is required. At $15.89, it's a budget-friendly tool for creative bakers.

If you need an inclusive option, the LillyBean Gingerbread Tiny House Village was a standout in our testing: it’s gluten-free, made in a dedicated allergen-free facility, and includes a vegan royal icing mix, piping bag, cutter, and naturally colored candies. You’ll bake the pieces yourself, which adds time but turns the project into a cozy kitchen activity. The kit yields five tiny houses, great for siblings to each decorate one, at $29.99. Compared with prebuilt kits like Bakery Bling, expect more prep but more creative control.

For families who want the full baking experience without the chaos, the Baketivity Gingerbread House Baking Kit streamlines prep with pre-measured dry ingredients, a cookie stencil, sprinkles, and two piping bags. During our review, we found the labeled packs reduced mess and made it easy for kids to help measure and mix. You'll still need to add wet ingredients, bake the panels, and provide your own icing, so plan a longer session. At $36.99, it's a pricier but rewarding, hands-on holiday project.

For an affordable family activity, Target's Favorite Day Mini Village Gingerbread House Kit includes pre-made gingerbread, icing, and assorted candies so you can start decorating right away. In our experience, the value is compelling at $12, but many users report panels arriving broken or crumbling when separated, which can make assembly frustrating. The icing can also be light on quantity and stickiness, so consider buying an extra tube of royal icing. If you're gentle and supplement supplies, it's still a fun mini-village project.

If you want a low-stress group project, the Holiday Create A Treat Gingerbread Village Cookie Kit builds four mini houses with pre-baked panels, pre-made icing, and candies, so you can skip baking. During our review, the multi-house format kept kids engaged and let everyone decorate their own. Be gentle when unboxing—panels can be fragile—and our experience shows the icing may not be sturdy for long-term display, so bring extra royal icing. At $17.25 (Country Kitchen SweetArt), it’s budget-friendly, but not suitable for wheat, milk, egg, or soy allergies.

On a budget, the Bee Gingerbread Mini Village Kit is a fun way to keep multiple kids engaged: you get four small structures (two houses and two cottages) plus premixed white icing with a bag and tip. During our review, we liked that everyone could decorate their own, though candy and icing can run thin across all four builds. Some boxes arrive with broken panels, so inspect packaging and handle gently. Compared with World Market’s single house, this village spreads the fun, even if you’ll want extra candy.

Wilton's Mini Village Gingerbread Kit is great for groups: it makes four small houses with pre-baked panels, icing pouches, and decorating bags and tips, so everyone gets a turn. In our testing, assembly was straightforward, but we'd keep extra royal icing on hand, as quantity and consistency can vary, and some panels may arrive cracked. Decorations are included yet modest, so add candies if you're going for elaborate designs. At $21.50, it's a fun multi-house set that encourages side-by-side decorating.

Williams-Sonoma’s DIY Candy Cane Gingerbread House Kit makes building day less stressful thanks to interlocking gingerbread pieces that, in our testing, kept walls square and steady while kids decorated. With icing and a wide assortment of candies included, you can skip baking and jump straight into the fun. It’s pricier than many kits at $64.95, but the stability and decorating variety felt worth it for a longer activity. Do order early; during our review, some buyers noted delivery delays that could disrupt weekend plans.

During our review, Dylan’s Candy Bar’s Gingerbread House Kit stood out for being preassembled and substantial, making it a true holiday centerpiece straight from the box. Multiple icings and a big assortment of candies invite creative decorating without extra shopping, though delicate décor can be fragile in transit. At $65, it’s pricier than prebuilt options like Wilton’s Townhouse, but you’re paying for scale and presentation. Note the common allergens (milk, soybeans, wheat, eggs), and consider store pickup to minimize shipping mishaps.

For families who want zero-fuss fun, the Create A Treat Pre-Built Gingerbread House Kit lets you start decorating immediately, with no baking or construction required. During our review, we appreciated the included icing and candy assortment, but our experience shows the icing can be thin and not sticky enough to keep candies or repairs in place, and some houses or gumdrops may arrive cracked or hard; keeping extra royal icing and backup candy on hand helps. It’s a budget-friendly pick at $17.95, best for quick afternoons where convenience outweighs perfection.

The Cookies United Elf On The Shelf Mini Gingerbread House Kit adds playful flair with candy jewels, fruity gummies, mini cookie decorations, and scene setters, plus pre-baked pieces and pre-made icing. During our review, the themed add-ons kept younger decorators engaged, and setup was quick. That said, some boxes arrive with broken panels or scuffed packaging, and the icing can run thin or dry, making walls tricky for beginners. We recommend a backup icing tube and careful unboxing for the smoothest build.

Looking for a super quick craft? In our testing, the Bakery Bling Pumpkin Spice Designer Mini Cookie House arrived pre-built and ready to decorate, so kids could start immediately with the pre-filled royal icing bag, glittery sugars, and a seasonal candy blend. The mini footprint is adorable for place settings but too small as a group centerpiece, and it contains egg, soy, and wheat. With roughly a 10-month shelf life, we recommend buying closer to the holidays; at $14.99, it’s a fun, low-stress add-on.

We found the Marketplace Brands Gingerbread House Kit appealing for families who want a big, pre-built canvas without construction stress. The 62.8-oz size and hand-crafted icing decorations make it feel substantial at $34, though the listing is light on details: icing specifics and exact piece counts aren’t clearly stated, and there’s only one seller review. Our experience shows it’s wise to have extra icing and candies on hand. Availability can vary by location, so confirm shipping or pickup before planning a group activity.