Christmas Tree Ornaments Counting Activity (Printable Template)
Christmas is naturally filled with fun learning experiences for kids! Look at all the shiny ornaments! How many lights do we have here? Since our Christmas tree has been extra interesting for my toddler, I’ve been seizing this interest to help him learn to count. To build number sense while strengthening fine motor skills, I created a Christmas tree number-matching activity you can try with your child or student.
Since the holidays tend to be extra busy for parents and teachers, our printable Christmas tree number template saves time. Each triangle tree has either Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc) or Chinese numbers (一,二,三 yī,’èr, sān) – your choice! And the triangle shapes are a helpful guide for cutting.
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Important vocabulary related to Christmas and counting
For bilingual parents and teachers, here is a reference list of key terms related to this Christmas tree counting and number-matching activity!
- 一，二，三，四，五，六，七，八, 九, 十… (yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ, liù, qī, bā, jiǔ, shí… / 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- 圣诞节 / 聖誕節 (Shèngdàn jié / Christmas)
- 圣诞树 / 聖誕樹 (Shèngdàn shù / Christmas tree)
- 聖誕飾品 Shèngdàn shìpǐn
- 数字 / 數字 (Shùzì / Numbers)
What age is this Christmas tree number activity best for?
Most parents and teachers have tried our Christmas tree number activity with toddlers, preschoolers, and kindergarteners. However, please keep in mind that everyone learns at a different pace. You’re welcome to try this activity with younger or older kids.
What can kids learn from this Christmas tree number-matching activity?
This activity is perfect for strengthening skills and knowledge at home, school, church, occupational therapy, and speech therapy sessions. These are some of the skills that can improve with practice:
- Fine motor skills (cutting, pegging, writing if older siblings help prep)
- One-to-one correspondence
- Meaningful counting
- Pattern recognition
- Color recognition
Download Christmas tree number template
Other recommended supplies
- Green cardstock paper
- Printer
- Scissors
- Clothespins (or brown paper or cardboard squares)
- Small dot stickers, pearl stickers, or rhinestone stickers (we got ours from the Dollar store)
- Suggested: Small tray (or box lid) + bowl to organize activity
Christmas tree number matching and counting activity: How to set it up
- Print template
- Cut along solid lines
- Write numbers on clothespins. This is the “tree stump.” You can use brown paper or cardboard squares to represent tree stumps if you don’t have clothespins.
- On the blank side of the paper, add corresponding stickers to trees. These are the “ornaments.”
- Have your child match the tree stump to the number of ornaments. Check if the number matches on the back!
Tips for setting up the activity to maximize learning:
- To create a pattern, I started with the same color sticker (eg, red on tree number 1) and then added the other colored stickers in the same order
- The number on the back of each tree serves as a control if the child is not sure if he or she has chosen the correct “tree stump.”
- Use textured stickers for a tactile counting experience!
Get the Christmas tree numbers template here
Did you try this Christmas Tree number-matching activity?
If you try this activity, please let us know in the comments below! What age(s) are your kid(s), and how did it go? We’d love to hear about your learning experience!
