Free Christmas Shadow Matching Printable for Preschoolers

A fresh set of pictures can make a familiar preschool activity feel new. This Christmas shadow matching printable gives children practice looking closely at shapes, with 24 holiday picture-and-shadow pairs to match, sort and use in a simple memory game.

The activity suits preschoolers who are not yet reading, and it can also work in a kindergarten classroom or homeschool routine. You can bring out a few pairs for a short activity or set up a larger selection as a center. There’s no need to use every card at once.

What children do in a shadow matching activity

Each picture card has a corresponding solid black silhouette. Children compare the outline with the picture and decide which two belong together. Since the shadow has no color or decorative details, the match depends on noticing the object’s shape and features.

A child might look for the branches of a tree, the position of a bow on a present or the outline of a bell. Those comparisons give children a reason to pause and check details before choosing a card. You can make the activity conversational by asking what they notice and how they decided on a match.

The printable includes two sets, each with 12 designs. One set features Christmas cookies, including a gingerbread house, snow globe, reindeer, mitten and angel. The other includes holiday objects such as a present, bell, Santa hat, stocking, candy cane and Christmas tree.

What’s in the printable

The 16-page PDF has both color and black-and-white versions. The cards are arranged six to a page, with three picture-and-shadow pairs on each page. Print only the pages you plan to use; the full set doesn’t have to come out for every activity.

The black-and-white pages are an option if you don’t have a color printer. Children can also color the outline pictures before playing, adding a quiet preparation activity to the matching game.

Prepare the cards for play

Gather paper or cardstock, scissors and, if you want to make the pieces more durable, a laminator. Cardstock gives the cards extra stiffness, while ordinary paper works for occasional use.

1. Download the printable using the link below.
2. Choose the pages you want and print them on paper or cardstock.
3. Cut along the lines to separate the pictures and shadows.
4. If you’re laminating, laminate the separate pieces and trim around each one, leaving a small sealed edge.
5. Mix the cards and invite your child to match them.

Lamination may be useful when the cards will be handled often in a classroom or saved to use again next Christmas. Once the pieces are ready, keep them in a zip-top bag or small container so they’re easy to find next time.

Four ways to use the cards

Match pictures and shadows. Put the shadow cards on the table, then ask your child to place each picture beside its matching outline. For a first round, use just three or four pairs. Add more when the smaller group feels manageable.

Sort the pictures. Mix the two picture sets and ask your child to separate the cookie designs from the other Christmas images. Talk together about the details that make an image look like a decorated cookie. Sorting offers a different activity with the same pieces.

Play memory. Print two copies of the picture pages you want to use. Place the picture cards face down, then take turns turning over two at a time to find identical images. Keep matching pairs and turn unmatched cards face down again. A small selection makes it easier to learn the game before adding more cards.

Name and describe. Invite your child to identify the objects and point out the shapes or details that helped them find a match. Questions such as “Which shadow has a bow on top?” or “Can you find the stocking with the toe pointing this way?” encourage careful looking without turning play into a quiz.

Use it at home or in a classroom

For a preschool center, put a selection of cards on a tray so children can see the available matches. You could start with the cookie set and bring out the other Christmas pictures in a later session. At home, spread a few pairs on a table for a short, quiet activity during a busy season.

Keep the number of cards suited to the child and the setting. A small group can make it easier to focus on the shapes; a larger set offers more comparisons once children are familiar with the activity. Either way, the cards can support independent play or give an adult and child something to discuss together.

Get the printable

Download the free Christmas shadow matching printable, then print the pages that fit your plans. Choose a few pairs for a quick activity, or prepare a full set for repeated use.

For more printable activities, see Fruit and Vegetable Shadow Matching, Printable Crayon Letter Matching, Printable Apple Letter Matching and the Printable Popsicle Matching Game. Browse more free printables for additional preschool center ideas.