Make counting extra fun this holiday season with this adorable Christmas Number Matching Game! Kids will love helping Santa match numbers 1–10 with the correct number of chocolate chip cookies in this fun, hands-on Christmas math activity for preschool and kindergarten.
Christmas Number Matching Game
Make counting extra fun this holiday season with this adorable Christmas Number Matching Game! Kids will love helping Santa find his chocolate chip cookies while practicing number recognition, counting, and early math skills with this free printable Christmas activity.
Perfect for preschool, pre-K, and kindergarten, this hands-on Santa counting game is easy to prepare, fun to play, and a wonderful addition to your Christmas math centers.
Free Printable Christmas Number Matching Game
If you’re looking for a fun way to sneak a little math practice into your Christmas activities, you’re going to love this Santa and cookies matching game!
This printable includes 20 colorful matching cards featuring a cheerful Santa Claus and delicious-looking chocolate chip cookies.
Each Santa card has a number from 1 to 10 displayed prominently in his fluffy white beard. Children count the cookies on the matching cards and pair each group of cookies with the correct number.
For example, the Santa card displaying the number 4 matches the card showing four chocolate chip cookies.
It’s a simple activity that helps young learners make the connection between written numbers and quantities.
And because the game uses a familiar Christmas theme, it feels more like playtime than math practice!
What Does This Christmas Counting Game Include?
Your free printable includes:
- 🎅 10 Santa number cards featuring numbers 1–10
- 🍪 10 chocolate chip cookie counting cards
- ✂️ Dotted cutting guides for easy preparation
- 🎄 Colorful Christmas-themed illustrations
- ❤️ A total of 20 matching cards
The cards are designed with clean white backgrounds, making the numbers and cookies easy for young children to see.
You can use the entire set for children who are comfortable counting to 10 or start with just a few matching pairs for younger learners.
Why Number Matching Games Are Great for Preschoolers
Learning to count involves much more than memorizing numbers in order.
Children also need opportunities to recognize written numerals, count objects accurately, and understand that each number represents a specific quantity.
That’s exactly what this Christmas number matching game encourages!
Number Recognition
The Santa cards help children recognize written numbers from 1 to 10.
As children play, encourage them to say each number aloud before looking for the matching cookie card.
Repeated exposure to written numerals helps build familiarity and confidence.
One-to-One Correspondence
One-to-one correspondence is the ability to count each object once while saying one number word for each object.
As children point to the chocolate chip cookies and count them individually, they practice this important early math skill.
Encourage children to touch or point to each cookie as they count.
Understanding Number Quantities
Recognizing the number 5 is one skill. Understanding that 5 represents a group of five objects is another.
Matching the Santa number cards to the cookie cards helps children connect written numerals with actual quantities.
Visual Discrimination and Concentration
Children must look carefully at each card, identify the number or quantity, and find its match.
These simple actions encourage attention, observation, and problem-solving.
Fine Motor Skills
Picking up, arranging, turning over, and matching the cards also provides opportunities to practice fine motor coordination.
This makes the activity especially useful for preschool and pre-K classrooms.
Supplies You’ll Need
One of my favorite things about printable learning activities is how little preparation they require.
For this Christmas counting game, you’ll need:
- 🎅 Free Christmas Number Matching Game printable – get the pdf file at the very bottom of this blog post
- 🖨️ Color Printer
- 📄 White cardstock
- ✂️ Scissors
- ✨ Self-laminating sheets or laminator (optional)
- 🎄 Small basket or storage bag (optional)
My tip: I recommend printing the cards on good quality white cardstock rather than regular printer paper. The thicker paper makes them easier for little hands to pick up and helps them hold up to repeated use.
If you’re planning to use this game in a classroom math center, laminating the cards is a great way to make them more durable.
How to Prepare Your Christmas Number Matching Game
Getting this activity ready is quick and easy!
Step 1: Download and Print
Start by downloading your free Christmas Number Matching Game using the printable download box below.
Print the pages containing the Santa number cards and chocolate chip cookie cards.
For the best results, print in color on white cardstock.
Step 2: Laminate the Cards (Optional)
If you want to reuse this activity throughout the holiday season, laminate the printed pages before cutting.
Laminating is especially helpful if you’re preparing the game for a preschool classroom, kindergarten math center, or homeschool activity basket.
Step 3: Cut Out the Matching Cards
Carefully cut along the dotted lines to separate the Santa and cookie cards.
You’ll end up with 20 individual cards: 10 Santa number cards and 10 cookie counting cards.
Step 4: Get Ready to Play!
Separate the Santa cards from the cookie cards.
For beginners, start with numbers 1–3 or 1–5.
Older preschoolers and kindergarten students can work with the complete set of numbers 1–10.
Now you’re ready for some Christmas counting fun!
7 Fun Ways to Play This Christmas Number Matching Game
One of the best things about this printable is that you can use it in several different ways.
Here are seven simple activities to try with your Santa counting cards.
1. Traditional Number Matching
This is the easiest way to introduce the game.
Place the Santa number cards face up on a table or classroom desk.
Spread the cookie cards nearby.
Invite children to choose a Santa card, identify the number, and find the cookie card showing the same quantity.
For example, if a child chooses Santa number 6, they’ll need to find the card with six chocolate chip cookies.
Encourage children to count the cookies aloud before making their match.
Best for: Number recognition, counting, and one-to-one correspondence.
2. Christmas Memory Matching Game
Turn your printable into a festive memory game!
Choose three to five matching pairs to begin.
Shuffle the cards and arrange them face down in rows.
Children take turns flipping over two cards, looking for a Santa number and a cookie quantity that match.
If the cards match, they keep the pair. If they don’t, turn them face down again.
As children become more confident, add additional pairs.
Best for: Memory, concentration, turn-taking, and number recognition.
Helpful tip: Because the backs of the printed cards are plain, use cardstock thick enough that children cannot see the pictures through the paper.
3. Put Santa’s Numbers in Order
This activity is a wonderful way to practice number sequencing.
Give children the Santa number cards and ask them to arrange the numbers from 1 to 10.
Once the numbers are in order, invite them to place the matching cookie cards underneath.
For an extra challenge, remove one Santa card and ask children to identify the missing number.
You can also practice counting backward from 10 to 1.
Best for: Number order, counting forward and backward, and identifying missing numbers.
4. Feed Santa His Cookies
This is such a fun way to make the activity feel like a Christmas game!
Place a Santa number card on the table and invite children to pretend they’re getting Santa’s cookies ready for Christmas Eve.
They must find the cookie card showing the correct number of cookies.
Ask questions like:
- “Santa wants 3 cookies. Can you find them?”
- “How many cookies does Santa need?”
- “Can you count the cookies to make sure?”
- “What happens if Santa gets one more cookie?”
For extra hands-on fun, children can count out real or pretend cookies alongside the printable cards.
Best for: Counting, matching quantities, and imaginative play.
5. Christmas Number Scavenger Hunt
Want to add some movement to your math activity?
Hide the cookie cards around your classroom, playroom, or learning space.
Give children a Santa number card and invite them to search for the matching cookie quantity.
When they find a cookie card, have them count the cookies to check whether they’ve found the correct match.
You can hide all 10 cookie cards or use a smaller selection.
Best for: Active learning, number recognition, and counting practice.
6. Roll, Count, and Match
Grab a die and turn this printable into a simple Christmas math game.
Spread the Santa number cards and cookie cards across the table.
Have children roll the die, identify the number, and find the matching Santa and cookie cards.
For numbers 7–10, children can roll two dice and add the dots together.
If the number has already been matched, they can roll again.
Best for: Subitizing, counting, and early addition.
7. Christmas Counting Sensory Bin
For a hands-on holiday activity, add the laminated Santa and cookie cards to a Christmas-themed sensory bin.
Fill a shallow container with shredded paper, large pom-poms, or another age-appropriate sensory material.
Hide the cards throughout the bin.
Children search for the cards, identify the numbers, count the cookies, and make matching pairs.
You can also provide a small tray where children can organize the matches as they find them.
Best for: Sensory exploration, fine motor skills, and counting.
Safety note: Choose sensory materials appropriate for your children’s ages and supervise closely, particularly when using small loose items.
How to Adapt This Christmas Counting Game for Different Ages
Not every child is ready to work with numbers 1–10, and that’s perfectly fine!
Here are some simple ways to adjust the activity for different learning stages.
Younger Preschoolers: Ages 3–4
Start with just three matching pairs featuring numbers 1, 2, and 3.
Place the Santa cards in a row and help children count the cookies on each matching card.
Model counting slowly, pointing to each cookie as you say the number.
Once children are comfortable, gradually introduce numbers 4 and 5.
Keep the activity short and playful.
Older Preschoolers: Ages 4–5
Introduce numbers 1–5, then expand to 1–10 as children become more confident.
Encourage children to count independently before making each match.
You can also ask them to arrange the Santa cards in numerical order.
Kindergarten: Ages 5–6
Use all 20 cards and introduce more challenging activities.
Ask children to compare cookie quantities, identify numbers that are greater or smaller, or find two cookie cards that add up to 10.
For example, children can combine the cards showing four and six cookies to make a total of 10.
This is a fun way to introduce number combinations while continuing to practice counting.
Easy Ways to Use This Printable in the Classroom
This Christmas number matching game is a versatile addition to your December lesson plans.
It works especially well as a:
- 🎄 Christmas math center
- 🎅 Preschool morning tub activity
- 🍪 Kindergarten small-group activity
- 🔢 Number recognition learning station
- ❤️ Holiday quiet-time activity
- ✨ Homeschool math activity
- 🎁 Early finisher activity
For independent math centers, I recommend placing the laminated cards in a small basket with a simple instruction card.
Children can spread out the cards, make their matches, and return everything to the basket when they’re finished.
You can also use the game during small-group instruction to observe which children recognize numerals confidently and which children still need support with counting.
Questions to Ask While Children Play
One easy way to extend this Christmas math activity is to ask open-ended questions as children work.
Try asking:
- “What number is Santa showing?”
- “How many cookies can you count?”
- “How do you know these two cards match?”
- “Which Santa has the most cookies?”
- “Which Santa has the fewest cookies?”
- “What number comes after 6?”
- “Can you find a cookie card with fewer than 5 cookies?”
- “How many more cookies would you need to make 10?”
These questions encourage children to think about numbers rather than simply memorize their matches.
Download Your Free Christmas Number Matching Game
Ready to help Santa count his Christmas cookies?
You can download your free printable Christmas Number Matching Game using the download box below.
The printable includes Santa number cards from 1–10 and matching chocolate chip cookie counting cards.
Simply print, cut, and start playing!
Getting your hands on our Christmas number matching game template is easy. Fill out the form at the bottom of this post and click the “Send Me the Printable” button.
After signing up, check your email to confirm your subscription. You will then be redirected to the printable PDF containing the template.
Already subscribed? No problem! Enter your information in the form again and you’ll be taken directly to the download.
Tip: Be sure to check your spam or promotions folder if you don’t see the email right away.
Still having trouble downloading your Christmas number matching game template? Check out this step-by-step download guide with images!
For best results, print on white cardstock and laminate if you plan to reuse the game.
More Christmas Crafts and Activities for Kids
Looking for more fun ways to keep little hands busy this holiday season?
Here are some of our favorite Christmas crafts and learning activities to try next!
Christmas Alphabet Matching Game
Practice uppercase and lowercase letter recognition with this adorable Christmas tree alphabet matching game! It’s a fun, hands-on literacy activity for preschoolers and kindergarten students.
Gingerbread Alphabet Matching Game
These cute gingerbread matching cards make learning letters extra fun! Children match uppercase and lowercase letters while practicing early literacy skills.
Paper Plate Christmas Tree Craft
Turn ordinary paper plates into adorable Christmas trees! Kids will love painting, assembling, and decorating their very own festive trees with colorful pom-poms.
Fork Painted Christmas Tree Craft
Grab a plastic fork and some green paint for this fun Christmas process art activity! Each tree turns out a little different, making this a great craft for preschoolers.
Popsicle Stick Christmas Tree Craft
Make a festive Christmas tree using popsicle sticks and simple craft supplies. This easy popsicle stick Christmas tree craft is perfect for practicing fine motor skills while getting creative.
Christmas Tree Name Craft
Combine Christmas crafting with name recognition practice! Children create a festive Christmas tree name craft while working on identifying and spelling the letters in their names.
Snowflake Suncatcher Craft
Brighten up your classroom windows with these beautiful snowflake suncatchers! This colorful tissue paper craft is a fun way to practice fine motor skills during the winter months.
Torn Paper Gingerbread Man Craft
Use torn pieces of brown construction paper and our free template to create an adorable torn paper gingerbread man craft! This creative craft is a great way to sneak in some fine motor work during the Christmas season.
Christmas Crafts and Activities for Kids
Need even more holiday inspiration? Browse our collection of Christmas crafts, printables, games, and learning activities for preschool and elementary-aged children.
Recommended Christmas Books for Kids
Pairing a Christmas picture book with a hands-on activity is one of my favorite ways to make holiday learning even more meaningful.
Since this game features Santa and chocolate chip cookies, these Christmas stories would make especially fun read-aloud companions.
How to Catch Santa by Jean Reagan
A funny Christmas picture book about children trying to catch Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. How To Catch Santa is a great choice for encouraging imaginative play before starting your Santa counting activity.
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
This classic Christmas poem is a wonderful way to introduce Santa’s Christmas Eve adventures. Read it aloud before inviting children to help Santa count his cookies.
The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas by Laura Murray
This festive gingerbread adventure is a fun choice for children who love cookie-themed Christmas activities. Pair The Gingerbread Man Loose at Christmas with the counting game for a playful holiday literacy and math connection.
How to Catch a Gingerbread Man by Adam Wallace
This entertaining story features a mischievous gingerbread character and plenty of silly adventures. It’s a fun addition to a Christmas cookie-themed activity day.
Before You Go
I hope your little learners have so much fun helping Santa count his cookies with this free Christmas Number Matching Game!
Whether you’re planning Christmas math centers, looking for a fun preschool counting activity, or simply want an easy holiday printable to keep kids learning through play, this festive matching game is a wonderful way to practice early math skills.
Don’t forget to save this activity to Pinterest so you can find it again when you’re planning your Christmas activities!
And be sure to follow This Tiny Blue House on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for more free printables, easy crafts, and screen-free activities for kids.
