Get ready for some festive fun in the kitchen! These gingerbread cookies are super easy to make and perfect for little hands to help decorate.

Here's what you'll need:

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened  
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup molasses

Instructions:

1. Whisk the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
2. Cream the butter and sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix it all together: Beat in the egg and molasses until well combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
4. Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This makes it easier to roll out.
5. Roll and cut: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters to cut out your favorite shapes (think gingerbread men, stars, trees!).  
6. Bake: Place the cookies on ungreased baking sheets and bake for 8-10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
7. Cool and decorate: Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack before decorating with frosting, candies, sprinkles, and anything else your imagination can dream up!

Here's a simple frosting recipe you can use to decorate your gingerbread cookies:

Easy Icing:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoons milk, and a few drops of vanilla extract.
• Add more milk or powdered sugar as needed to reach your desired consistency. You can thin it out for easier piping or thicken it for thicker icing.
• Divide the icing into bowls and add food coloring to create different colors.

This simple icing is easy to make and perfect for kids to help decorate. You can use it for piping, dipping, or spreading on your cookies.

Tips for Little Helpers:

• Let them help measure ingredients (with supervision, of course!).
• Let them roll out the dough (with a rolling pin, of course!).
• Let them help cut out the shapes (with cookie cutters, of course!).
• Let them decorate their own cookies (with plenty of frosting and sprinkles, of course!).

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the process! These gingerbread cookies are sure to be a Christmas hit with the whole family.

Happy baking!