Christmas Number Puzzles: 40 Printable Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten

Number practice can feel more inviting when each correct choice helps complete a Christmas picture. This printable set offers 40 puzzles for preschool and Kindergarten children, with four number sequences and both color and black-and-white versions.

The activity pairs number recognition with ordering, cutting and gluing. Children arrange picture strips by their numbers, then attach them to a matching page to reveal a tree, stocking, candy cane or another seasonal image. The pictures give children a visual way to check their work, while the different sequences let an adult choose a level that fits the child’s current practice.

What’s in the printable set

There are 20 color puzzles and 20 black-and-white puzzles. Each version covers four sequences:

• Numbers 1 to 10
• Numbers 11 to 20
• Counting by 2s from 2 to 20
• Counting by 10s from 10 to 100

Each sequence includes five puzzles in color and five in black and white. The designs include Christmas trees, stockings, candy canes, gingerbread men and other holiday pictures. Both downloads also include blank pages where children can place their strips in order.

You can download either version or both, then print only the pages you plan to use. For each activity, choose a picture and number sequence and print its puzzle page along with the matching blank page. That keeps preparation manageable when children are practising different skills.

Choose a sequence that fits the child

The 1-to-10 puzzles offer a starting point for children learning to recognize numerals and arrange them in order. Picture choices include a Christmas tree, candy cane, gingerbread man, nutcracker and ornament. As children place the strips from 1 through 10, the image takes shape.

For practice with teen numbers, the 11-to-20 set asks children to sequence the numbers from 11 through 20. Its pictures include a tree, stocking, elf and Santa. This can give a child a reason to work through the full sequence: each correctly placed strip contributes to the completed image.

The skip-counting puzzles extend the same cut-and-arrange format to other patterns. In the set for counting by 2s, the strips are numbered 2, 4, 6 and so on through 20. Saying the sequence together before arranging the pieces can help children keep track of the pattern as they work.

For counting by 10s, children order numbers from 10 through 100. The pictures include trees, stockings, lights, presents and winter characters. Using several sequences from one set can make it easier to offer different levels of number practice in the same classroom or home.

Set up the cut-and-paste activity

For the paper version, gather the puzzle page, its matching blank number page, scissors and a glue stick. Regular printer paper works for this activity. Print the two matching pages, then cut along the horizontal lines to make separate strips.

1. Pick the picture and sequence. Choose numbers the child is ready to practise and print the corresponding puzzle and blank page.
2. Prepare the pieces. Children can cut the strips with supervision. For younger children, an adult can cut them in advance.
3. Arrange the numbers. Place the strips on the blank page in sequence. Check the order together before reaching for the glue.
4. Attach the strips. Once the numbers are in order, glue each strip in place to complete the picture.

The puzzle brings together number recognition, sequencing and fine motor practice. Cutting requires careful hand movements, and placing the pieces in order gives children a chance to notice a missing or misplaced number before they glue anything down. A picture that looks incomplete can also prompt a second look at the arrangement.

Reuse the puzzles as a learning center

For repeated use, print the pages on cardstock. Cut the puzzle strips apart before laminating, then laminate and trim the pieces. Children can arrange the strips on a table or use the blank number page as a guide without gluing them down. Keeping each puzzle in its own bag or envelope helps prevent pieces from getting mixed together.

Start with one puzzle at a time, especially for younger preschoolers. A smaller set of pieces can make the activity easier to manage, while children who are ready can try a different number sequence or picture afterward. At home, inviting a child to choose a favorite design can make it easier to settle on one activity. There’s no need to complete the whole collection: use the puzzles that match the numbers being practised and keep the rest for another day.

Get the color or black-and-white pages

Both downloads include all four number sequences and matching blank pages. The color file contains 20 picture puzzles. The black-and-white file contains another 20 and is an option for households or classrooms looking to use less color ink. Print as many copies as needed for the children using the activity, while choosing only the pages that suit their practice.

Download the Christmas Number Puzzles in Color.

Download the Christmas Number Puzzles in Black and White.

For another printable activity, try the Christmas shadow matching printable, where children match seasonal pictures to their shadows. More options are available in the free printables collection.

For information about the source site’s disclosures, see its disclosure policy. The original post is available at Free Printable Christmas Number Order Puzzles from Joyfully Thriving. Choose a sequence, print its matching pages and let the numbers guide the picture into place.