In a cozy little kitchen, an old woman was busy baking when, suddenly, the gingerbread man she had made jumped right out of the oven! With a big grin, he sang, “Run, run, as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!” And off he ran, leaving the surprised old woman behind.

Out into the sunny fields he raced, where a cow saw him and mooed, “Stop! I want to eat you!” But the gingerbread man was quick on his feet. “Run, run, as fast as you can! You can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!” he laughed, speeding away from the cow.

Next, he zoomed past a horse, and then a group of hungry animals who all tried to catch him. But the gingerbread man was too fast for everyone. He felt unstoppable and thought no one could ever catch him.

Just as he was nearing a river, a sly fox appeared, his eyes gleaming. “I can help you cross the river,” the fox said sweetly. The gingerbread man, trusting the fox’s friendly offer, hopped onto his back. But as they reached the other side of the river, the fox flipped his head back and, SNAP! The gingerbread man was gobbled up in a flash!

The gingerbread man learned that while being fast can help you run from trouble, sometimes you have to be careful about who you trust along the way.

Moral:

Be cautious when trusting strangers.

Parenting Tip: Use this story to teach kids about the importance of caution when meeting new people or accepting help. Discuss how not everyone has good intentions and why it’s essential to trust their instincts and seek help from trusted adults.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids:

• Why do you think the gingerbread man ran away from everyone?
• How did the fox trick the gingerbread man?
• If you were the gingerbread man, what would you have done differently?
• Why do you think the animals wanted to catch the gingerbread man?
• What would you do if you were making a gingerbread cookie that came to life?
• How can you tell if someone is being honest with you?
• Can you make up a new ending where the gingerbread man escapes the fox?

Did You Know? Fun Baking Facts!

1. Gingerbread cookies have been around for hundreds of years, dating back to the Middle Ages!
2. In many countries, people make gingerbread houses during the holidays, often decorating them with candies and icing.
3. The spicy flavor of gingerbread comes from ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg—perfect for warming up cold days!

Baking Activity:

Get inspired by the story and bake your very own gingerbread cookies! Here’s a simple idea:

1. Roll out your cookie dough.
2. Use a gingerbread man cookie cutter to shape the cookies.
3. Decorate them with icing, chocolate chips, and sprinkles for a personal touch.
4. Make up stories about your gingerbread cookies before you enjoy eating them!

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!