Is your family up for a challenge? We all know the tale of Hansel and Gretel and the wonderful gingerbread house that really wasn’t anything but wonderful. Well, what about building a gingerbread house that is wonderful? Is unique? And reflects your family’s activities and favorite things!

That’s what the Naperville Public Library would like you to do.  And we’re hoping bring your completed creation to any library building this Saturday.  Drop your creation off at your favorite library building between 9 and 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15 and it will be on public display from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Certificates for various categories will be awarded.  Photos of the gingerbread houses will be posted to the Library’s Facebook page and website.

This is definitely an opportunity for your family to think outside the box.  In fact, there’s really no need to bake!  You can even decorate a shoe box with pictures.  Do your children like dinosaurs – what kind of house would a dinosaur live in?  Make one!  What about a princess who really really loves candy!!  Just think about what kind of house she’d like!

The Children’s Department staff at the Nichols Library has already accepted the gingerbread house challenge.  In fact they’ve created an entire village in the display case in the lower level of the library at 200 W. Jefferson Ave. Hope and browse to get ideas.

This doesn’t have to be a day-long project.  Stores all over town are selling gingerbread house kids, complete with all the fixings!  An even easier solution is just to use graham crackers that are joined together with a little confectioners’ sugar and water paste. (Hint – use an eye dropper to add the water to the confectioners’ sugar.  It’s amazing how little you need.)

This is clearly an activity for the entire family – even sports fans. Crossed hockey sticks look wonderful on a roof.  Imagine a house built in a basketball!  Let your imagination take you away!  See you and your creation on Saturday!

This activity is part of the Winter Family Read Aloud Program so you can color in an activity on the treat sheet.  Remember completing 8 activities finishes a sheet and you can bring the sheet in for a prize. Your family will also be entered in a raffle for Chicago Wolves hockey tickets.

About the Naperville Public Library
The Naperville Public Library serves a population of more than 142,000 at the Nichols Library, 200 W. Jefferson Ave., the Naper Boulevard Library, 2035 S. Naper Blvd., the 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Dr.; and our website, www.naperville-lib.org. The Library’s collection of more than 830,000 items includes magazines, newspapers, large-type books, CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, books on CD, eBooks, downloadable audio books, music and movies; online resources, and, of course, books. The Naperville Public Library supports all residents of Naperville in their lifelong pursuit of learning, enjoyment and inspiration by providing excellence in public library services, resources and programs. For more information visit www.naperville-lib.org.