5 Simple Ways to Countdown to Christmas
Are your little ones starting to get excited that Christmas is on its way? Counting down to Christmas Day can make the whole month of December feel so exciting and magical. Here are 5 memorable ways to count down the days until that magical morning with your little loves!
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1. Countdown with Busy Books & Matching
We’re counting down this year using a busy book and a simple matching activity! These activities are SUPER fun ways for little ones to countdown to Christmas. For the busy book, all the pages can be attached to the pages in a Target blank book or any other notebook you want to use. Your kiddos will color the objects and trace the numbers for the countdown for each day of the month. If you have little ones, they could also cover each object with a sticker or dab each one with a Bingo dabber. To add a learning element to this countdown for older kids, they could write their numbers or number words starting from the day of the countdown that they’re on all the way down to one. They could also practice writing some of the letters of the alphabet on each object, letters in their name, color the objects in a pattern…so many options for bringing learning into this one. Grab a copy for your little ones HERE!
The countdown matching activity has a variety of options included. Your kiddos can either match the small picture cards to the mat on the same picture or match any picture they want to the countdown number you’re on for the day. There are number cards and picture cards included, as well as a a variety of mats to choose from. We’re using the activity for matching pictures to numbers to work on our number identification while we countdown to Christmas. :) Grab a copy of this matching countdown HERE!
2. Countdown with Magnetic Countdowns
I used this magnetic countdown board below in my classroom for YEARS and my students just loved it! I found this one from Hallmark years ago and they don’t make it anymore, but there are a lot of super cute options for your little ones to play with at home. This Christmas tree magnetic countdown from Melissa and Doug is a SUPER cute one and this Christmas house countdown from Hobby Lobby is a simple one too.
3. Countdown with Gifts
Another idea to countdown to Christmas is to wrap up a small gift for each day of December for your kiddos to open each day! I’ve heard of some people who wrap up a new Christmas-themed book to add to their kids’ library, some who give small “stocking stuffer” kinds of gifts, and some who do a small candy or treat each day.
You can definitely wrap the small gifts or books as a little present for your kids to open each day. Or, if you need something quicker, there are a BUNCH of fun products you can grab to hide smaller gifts, like treats or small toys, inside like this hanging pendant countdown from Target or these cute wooden drawers. Definitely just do whatever is best for you and your family this holiday!
4. Countdown with Activities
Pulling together 24 holiday and Christmas-themed activities, one for each day of the month, is a PERFECT way to keep the excitement high and the cost low. You can make the activities include simple Christmas fun, like looking at Christmas lights, making hot cocoa, watching a favorite Christmas movie…the ideas are endless! If you need a few ideas, CLICK HERE to grab my free list of 25 easy activities to do with your little ones by signing up to get emails from me. Then, grab something like these numbered clothespins and some little notecards and envelopes to write the activity on. Each day, your kids can open the envelope to see what the fun activity will be for the day! This gives them something to look forward to each day without adding to the “presents” for the season either. Everybody wins!
5. Countdown with Books
Using books is another really great way to incorporate Christmas magic and a little bit of learning too! The following books are really engaging books to read together, a little bit at a time, to countdown to Christmas. Tap the links below to check out each book!
Santa’s Countdown to Christmas: 24 Days of Stories
I hope you found a few fun ideas in here for you and your little ones to enjoy together this season. :) Wishing you the merriest Christmas and sending lots of love!
