Christmas tree counting and color-matching activity

Can you decorate the tree one ornament at a time?

Prep · About 5 minutes   Play · About 10 minutes

Gather · A felt Christmas tree and ornaments or a paper tree with paper circles, plus a felt board or tabletop.

1. Sort the decorations. Spread out a small selection of ornaments. Invite children to group matching colors and name each group.
2. Count as you decorate. Ask a child to add one, two, or three ornaments. Touch each ornament while counting, then say how many are on the tree altogether.
3. Give a decorating clue. Take turns giving a clue such as “Put a red ornament near the top.” The next child follows the clue and describes where it went.

Try saying · “You added two ornaments. Let’s touch each one and count. Where will the next one go?”

Make it easier · Offer two colors and ask for one ornament at a time.

Keep it going · Make an alternating two-color pattern. Ask children to choose what comes next and explain their choice.

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