Countdown to Christmas: A Fun, Catchy Counting Song for Kids (With Free Printable!)

It can be fun to learn how to count, especially during the Christmas season when everything is magical. As a former kindergarten teacher and a mother, I've witnessed how music can turn a difficult skill into a fun game.  That's why I made it my goal to write the most entertaining Christmas counting song for kids that helps them learn to count and is catchy enough for the whole family to sing along to.

Over the years, I’ve seen so many children who struggled with rote number memorization suddenly light up when counting becomes a song. Music gives them something to feel, not just repeat and that emotional connection boosts memory in powerful ways.

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!

"Counting Christmas Fun" - An Original Song for Learning

The lyrics are designed to be simple, catchy, and packed with familiar holiday imagery to help with memory and recognition. Sing it to the tune and lyrics of "Deck the Halls" or other upbeat melody you love!

(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!

Songs like this support early numeracy because children learn best when numbers are attached to pictures, movement, and familiar seasonal experiences. This is called multisensory learning, and it’s widely used in early childhood education.

How to Make This Song a Learning Powerhouse

Don't just sing it—bring it to life! Here are my pro-tips from the classroom to maximize the learning:

Add Actions: For each number, do a related action. Hang a pretend stocking for "one," tie a bow for "two," and ring a bell for "three." This kinesthetic learning cements the number-value connection. Movement is especially helpful for children who are active learners or easily distracted — it gives their bodies a job while their brains absorb the numbers.

1. Use Props: Gather 10 small Christmas items (ornaments, jingle bells, candy canes). Have your child hold up or point to the correct number of items as you sing.When children physically handle objects, the concept of “how many” becomes concrete, not abstract — a huge stepping stone toward real math skills.

   
   

2. Sing It Slow, Then Fast: Start slowly to emphasize each number. Once they know it, sing it faster for a fun challenge that boosts cognitive processing.This also helps build auditory memory, which is linked to stronger reading and listening skills later on.

Your Free Printable Lyric Sheet! Christmas counting song for kids

I know it's tough to remember new lyrics on the fly. I've created a beautiful, festive printable lyric sheet for you. It's perfect for taping to the fridge, using in the classroom, or slipping into a holiday busy binder.

[Click Here to Download Your FREE "Counting Christmas Fun" Printable]

Counting Christmas Fun Printable.pdf

Download PDF • 17.06MB

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Many teachers laminate this sheet and place it in their “December learning centers” because the visuals help reinforce number recognition.

Let's Sing It Together!

Now, for the best part! Let's practice the counting chorus together. Is everyone ready?

"One stocking, two presents, three bells ringing, four reindeer, five snowflakes, six elves singing, seven candy canes, eight snowmen, nine angels, ten jingle bells!

Look! It's a lot more enjoyable to count when it's part of a lively, upbeat song.

Children often join in faster when you add excitement to your voice, use gestures, or let them choose a silly “holiday voice” (reindeer voice, elf voice, Santa voice!).

This song does more than teach numbers; it builds confidence, creates joyful holiday memories, and shows kids that learning can be their favorite part of the day.

I'd love to hear from you! What's your child's favorite educational holiday song? Did they enjoy singing our counting song? Share your experiences or your own lyrics in the comments below!

P.S. Don't forget to download your free printable to keep the learning going all season long!

And if your child struggles with counting even after using songs and hands-on tools, speak with your pediatrician or teacher — early support makes a big differ