Christmas Counting Song for Kids: Count 1 to 10 With Festive Fun
Updated: Jul 9
Counting can feel much more exciting when it becomes part of a song. During Christmas, numbers are everywhere: one star, two stockings, three bells, four reindeer, and ten little jingle bells.
A simple Christmas counting song can help children practise number words, memory, rhythm, and festive vocabulary in a way that feels playful instead of pressured.
I’m Janerine Watson, founder of Kids Songs Learning Hub, a mother of three, and a BSc Health and Social Care graduate. At home, I have seen how a short song can make everyday learning feel lighter. When children clap, point, sing, move, and count real objects, numbers can begin to feel more meaningful.
This article shares an original Christmas counting song for kids, plus simple ways to use it with toddlers, preschoolers, homeschool families, and early years settings.
A quick note before you begin
This song is for playful early learning. It does not need to be perfect. Some children may sing the words. Some may only clap. Some may point to one object. Some may just listen.
All of that counts as participation.
The goal is not to rush maths skills. The goal is to make counting feel familiar, joyful, and easy to repeat.
You know how hard it may be for kids to remember the order of numbers when they do standard drills. It's not more repetition that's the key; it's more involvement. Music is a great tool because it uses rhythm, rhyme, and repetition, which are the three most important things for young children to acquire. A catchy song helps you remember things.
I took that idea and made a fun, original tune out of it that will make counting from 1 to 10 an enjoyable trip. This is what I made just for you and your tiny elves!
Why Counting Songs Can Help Children
Counting songs can support early maths because they repeat number words in order. When children add movement, pointing, clapping, or real objects, they get more chances to connect the spoken number with something they can see or touch.
Early years maths guidance encourages children to explore, experiment, discover, repeat maths activities, and use numbers to describe things around them.
Counting songs can help children practise:
Number order
Listening
Memory
Pointing
One-to-one counting
Festive vocabulary
Taking turns
Confidence
The Education Endowment Foundation explains that early numeracy approaches can include informal play activities involving counting and mathematical language, and that manipulatives are objects children can move and use to represent mathematical ideas.That is why this song works best when you add props, actions, or pictures.
Christmas Counting Song: Count 1 to 10
Sing this to a simple upbeat tune. Keep it slow at first so children can hear each number clearly.
(Verse 1)
Deck the halls with numbers bright,
Counting up on this merry night,
One stocking hung by the chimney high,
Two presents wrapped with a bow to tie,
Three bells ringing out so clear,
Four reindeer leading Santa here,
(Verse 2)
Five snowflakes falling gently down,
Six elves singing a happy sound,
Seven candy canes sweet and fine,
Eight snowmen standing in a line,
Nine angels singing in the air,
Ten jingle bells ringing everywhere!
How to Teach the Song
1. Start with numbers 1 to 5
For toddlers, begin with the first verse only. Counting to 10 can be too much at once for some children.
2. Add finger counting
Hold up one finger for one stocking, two fingers for two presents, and so on.
3. Use real or paper props
Use safe paper pictures instead of small decorations. You can use a paper stocking, paper present, paper bell, paper reindeer, and paper snowflake.
4. Repeat the same verse
Children often need to hear the same counting song many times. Repetition is helpful.
5. Let children join in at their own level
A child may point, clap, hum, or say only the final number. That is still meaningful.
Action Ideas for Each Number
Use simple actions to make the song more active.
Number | Christmas item | Action |
1 | Stocking | Pretend to hang a stocking |
2 | Presents | Pretend to wrap a gift |
3 | Bells | Ring pretend bells |
4 | Reindeer | Put hands on head like antlers |
5 | Snowflakes | Wiggle fingers downward |
6 | Elves | Clap six times |
7 | Candy canes | Make a curved cane shape with your arm |
8 | Baubles | Draw circles in the air |
9 | Stars | Reach up high |
10 | Jingle bells | Shake hands like bells |
Learning moment
Actions help children connect the number word with movement and meaning. Keep the actions slow and safe.
Safety note
Do not give toddlers small bells, small baubles, tiny ornaments, beads, buttons, batteries, magnets, or breakable decorations. Paper props are safer.
Christmas Counting Prop Activity
You can turn the song into a simple counting activity.
You need
10 paper Christmas pictures
A tray or table
Crayons, optional
How to play
Lay out the pictures.
Sing the song slowly.
Point to each picture as the number is sung.
Ask your child to choose the next picture.
Count together.
Keep it simple
For toddlers, use 3 pictures.
For preschoolers, use 5 or 10 pictures.
Learning moment
This supports one-to-one counting, number order, attention, and vocabulary.
Christmas Counting Movement Game
If your child loves moving, turn the song into a movement game.
Try:
1 big clap
2 little jumps
3 bell shakes
4 reindeer steps
5 snowflake wiggles
6 elf claps
7 candy cane stretches
8 bauble circles
9 star reaches
10 jingle shakes
Safety note
Clear the floor before movement games. Keep jumping gentle. Avoid slippery socks, stairs, sharp furniture, and crowded spaces.
Christmas Counting Quiet Time Idea
Counting songs can also be used calmly.
Try this:
Sit with your child near the tree.
Choose one Christmas picture.
Sing one line softly.
Count slowly on fingers.
Stop before your child gets tired.
This works well before nap time, bedtime, or quiet play.
Free Printable: Festive Counting Songs Printable Pack
To make this Christmas counting song easier to use at home, add the Festive Counting Songs Printable Pack. This printable gives families simple festive counting song pages, activity ideas, and Christmas counting prompts that children can use while singing, pointing, clapping, and counting.
Inside the printable, children will find festive counting activities such as Five Little Bells, Ten Little Elves, Christmas Counting Song, Counting Snowflakes, and a 12 Days of Christmas checklist.
Use it during December learning time, Christmas music activities, homeschool lessons, preschool circle time, quiet play, or family singalong moments.
How to Use the Printable
Print the picture cards.
Cut them out with adult help.
Place them in order from 1 to 10.
Sing the song while pointing to each card.
Let your child colour the cards if they want to.
Keep the cards in a small envelope or folder and use them throughout December.
Important safety note
Adults should handle scissors and cutting. Do not give small cut-out pieces to children who still mouth objects. Use larger cards for toddlers.
Helpful Related Resources
For more festive songs, read Christmas Songs for Toddlers and Preschoolers.
For simple Christmas activities, read Christmas Activities for Toddlers at Home.
For printable learning pages, read Christmas Colouring Pages and Printable Activities for Kids.
For Christmas kitchen fun, read 15 Easy Christmas Kitchen Activities for Kids.
For more free learning pages, visit the Free Preschool Printables Library.
For Learning Christmas Songs Visit Our Christmas Channel
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is this Christmas counting song for?
This song can be used with toddlers and preschoolers, but every child is different. Younger toddlers may only clap or listen. Older preschoolers may count, sing, point, and match pictures to numbers.
Should toddlers count to 10?
Some toddlers enjoy counting to 10, but there is no need to force it. Start with 1 to 3 or 1 to 5 and build slowly.
How can I help my child understand counting, not just memorise numbers?
Use real objects or picture cards. Point to one item as you say one number. This helps children connect the number word with an amount.
Can counting songs help with early maths?
Counting songs can support early maths language and number order when used playfully. They are even more helpful when paired with objects, pointing, movement, and repetition.
What if my child counts out of order?
That is common. Model the number order again gently. Keep it playful and avoid turning the song into a test.
Can I use this song in preschool or Sunday school?
Yes. Use it as a group song, circle time activity, Christmas learning station, or printable counting activity. Keep props large and safe.
Final Thoughts
A Christmas counting song is a simple way to make early maths feel festive and fun. Children can sing, clap, point, move, count pictures, and repeat the same numbers throughout December.
Start small. Use paper props. Sing slowly. Repeat often.
Counting does not have to begin with a worksheet. Sometimes it begins with one stocking, two presents, three little bells, and a child who wants to sing it again.
About the Author
Janerine Watson is the founder of Kids Songs Learning Hub, a mother of three, and a BSc Health and Social Care graduate. She creates music-based learning resources, children’s songs, printable activities, and parent-friendly guides that help toddlers and preschoolers learn through rhythm, repetition, movement, routines, and play.
Through parenting and her background in health and social care, Janerine shares practical ways families can make counting songs, seasonal activities, and early learning moments more playful, realistic, and easier to repeat.
Educational and Child Safety Disclaimer
This article is for general family learning, music, and early maths activity purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional teaching, developmental assessment, childcare advice, or specialist educational support.
Every child learns at a different pace. Counting songs can support playful number practice, but they do not guarantee maths progress.
Always supervise toddlers and preschoolers during singing, movement, craft, cutting, and printable activities. Keep small parts, bells, baubles, beads, buttons, magnets, batteries, sharp tools, cords, broken decorations, and choking hazards away from young children.
If you have concerns about your child’s development, speech, hearing, learning, attention, movement, or early maths progress, speak with your child’s teacher, health visitor, GP, educational professional, or another qualified professional.
Sources and useful guidance
Comments