The Goodnow Library Children’s Room is inviting kids ages 1-11 to participate in the third annual “Great Goodnow Gingerbread Challenge”! Have an idea for an amazing house? What about the inside? We provide the unfinished wooden Gingerbread House base, you provide the creativity! Categories for the Challenge include Overall Favorite, Best Interior and Most Creative. Participants may decorate their house at home with personal craft materials or attend a Gingerbread House Crafting Workshop held at the library. Make sure to reserve your house beginning Monday, December 2 at 9:00 AM by clicking HERE!

Please note: entry in the Challenge is not required to reserve a Gingerbread House base.

Drop-in Gingerbread House Crafting Workshops in December: (note: you must reserve a house base to attend workshops)

  • Wednesday, December 4, 4:00 PM-8:00 PM
  • Friday, December 6, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
  • Saturday, December 7, 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
  • Wednesday, December 11, 1:00 PM-8:00 PM
  • Friday, December 13, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
  • Saturday, December 14, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Official Rules:

To enter “The Great Goodnow Gingerbread Challenge”, you must be between 1-11 years of age.  Your completed Gingerbread House must be delivered to the Goodnow Library Children’s Desk no later than 4:30 PM on Friday, December 20th.

Entries must use the provided unfinished wooden Gingerbread House base. Participants may decorate their house at home with personal craft materials or attend a Gingerbread House Crafting Workshop held at the library where craft supplies will be provided. Entries must not exceed the structure by more than one inch on all sides. The library is not responsible for damaged or broken gingerbread houses, and will not maintain or repair entries. No electric lights allowed.

All entries will be numbered and placed on display in the Children’s room from December 21st through December 31st. During this period, patrons are encouraged to vote for Overall Favorite, Best Interior, and Most Creative. The houses that receive the most votes will get a $25 gift card to the GLF Book Nook. Winners will be announced on social media on Friday, January 3rd.

Entries can be picked up from the Goodnow Library Children’s Desk between January 4th and January 12th. Unclaimed entries will be discarded. If you wish for us to hold onto your creation for longer, please contact us at [email protected]