The weeks before Christmas can feel long for children and busy for adults. A simple countdown built around printable coloring pages gives kids something calm to look forward to each day, and it works at home or in a classroom. Here are easy ideas that need only paper and crayons.
The short version
- Pick a start date and print one page for each day or each week.
- Keep the daily activity short, about ten minutes.
- Choose simple pages for little ones and a detailed scene for older kids.
- Display the finished pages so the countdown grows on the wall.
1. A coloring page a day
Print a handful of pages and hand out one each morning or evening. A short, predictable routine gives children something to expect, and it keeps the countdown from feeling like extra work. If you are short on pages, switch to one page every few days.
2. Make a paper chain of colored shapes
Color a few simple pictures, such as a snowflake or a gift, cut them out and glue them into a paper chain. Remove one link each day. Younger children can color, and an adult or an older child can cut.
3. Build a wall countdown
Tape one finished page to the wall each day, in a row or in the shape of a tree. By the end, the wall is full of the child's own work. Let each child say one thing about their picture before it goes up.
4. Color by instruction
Call out one instruction at a time, such as "give the snowman a red scarf" or "color three gifts blue." Children listen, choose a crayon and color at their own pace. It is a calm activity that also practices listening and color words.
5. Make cards and gift tags
Children can color a page, cut out a favorite picture and glue it to a folded card or a gift tag. Handmade cards are a thoughtful gift for relatives, and the activity gives kids a reason to take care with their coloring.
6. Keep a quiet half hour for busy days
Holiday weeks fill up fast. A short coloring session with a timer gives everyone a break. For a ready routine, read our ideas for quiet-time activities for preschool classrooms, which also work well at home.
7. Match the page to the child
Toddlers and preschoolers usually enjoy one big subject with thick outlines. Kindergarten and early elementary children often like a detailed scene with many small areas. If you are not sure which is right, see our guide on how to choose coloring pages by age.
Printing tips for a longer countdown
If you are printing many pages, print on regular paper and use draft quality to save ink. Our guide on how to print coloring pages at home covers settings that keep the drawing on the page.
Free Christmas pages to start with
The free Christmas Friends pack has six bold, simple pages for toddlers and preschoolers, including a snowman, a tree, a stocking, gifts, snowflakes and a gingerbread house, plus one detailed winter village scene for older kids. You are welcome to print it for home or the classroom. You can also browse all of our Christmas coloring pages.
