CraftyFileCo planning guide

Christmas Counting Activities for Preschool Centres

For a preschool Christmas counting centre, use the Cookie Counting Game to match quantities to orders. Offer tree-pattern copying and shadow matching as separate activities with different tasks.

Start with one cookie order

The cookie game includes a tray board, eighteen cookie counters, eighteen order cards across three levels and six blank order cards. Seven full-colour pages include an illustrated how-to page, supplied in A4 and US Letter PDFs.

Children choose an order, count the candies on each cookie and place the cookies on the same tray squares shown on the card. The first level uses numbers one to five with four cookies. Later levels use numbers one to nine with more cookies per order.

As a centre setup, put out one order card and the pieces needed to try it before offering a larger choice. Show how to clear the tray between orders.

Change the task with tree patterns

The Christmas Tree Matching Activity has a tree mat, eight cutout ornaments and thirty-six challenge cards arranged in three difficulty groups. A create-your-own-pattern activity and instructions are also listed.

The task is to recreate the ornament arrangement on the challenge card. You may discuss colours and positions while children work, but the listing does not present this as the cookie game's quantity-counting task.

Its paper-format line is conditional about how files are packaged. Check the listing's current files before relying on a particular paper size for your print plan.

Use shadows for picture comparison

The Christmas Shadow Matching Game has twenty-four picture cards and matching silhouettes across two sets. It includes colour and black-and-white versions and optional backing papers in A4 and US Letter PDFs.

Children place each picture over its matching shadow. Put the picture cards with their corresponding shadow pages rather than mixing every loose piece from all three activities.

Prepare the pieces before children arrive

Try this checklist for the table:

• Read the selected activity's how-to page.
• Print the pages for the task you intend to offer.
• Arrange adult cutting preparation or assistance.
• Keep each set in a separate labelled container.
• Demonstrate one complete turn, then reset.

The listings suggest optional lamination and hook-and-loop dots for reusable play. Those are preparation choices involving supplies you provide, not materials that arrive with the download.

Observe which part children need explained: counting the candies, following a tray position, copying a pattern or finding a shape. Offering the right task is more useful than calling every Christmas printable a counting activity.

By CraftyFileCo · Published 2026-11-07 · Updated 2026-11-07