Twelve Days Of Christmas Activities

The 12 days of Christmas Activities with free printable flashcards is the perfect way to introduce this well loved traditional Christmas song.

Twelve Days Of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me,

A partridge in a pear tree.

On the second day ……. Two turtle doves, and a

On the third day ……..Three French hens,

On the fourth day …….Four calling birds,

On the fifth day …….Five go-ld rings!

On the sixth day ……Six geese a-laying,

On the seventh …….Seven swans a-swimming,

On the eighth day ……Eight maids a milking,

On the ninth day …..Nine ladies dancing,

On the tenth day ……Ten lords a- leaping,

On the eleventh day ….Eleven pipers piping,

On the twelfth day …….Twelve drummers drumming,

This is a cumulative song where as you sing each new verse, you repeat the list of items from each previous day – so that the list grows longer and longer with each verse.

 

12 Days Of Christmas Activities

Hunt The Cards

• First print off a double set of 12 days Of Christmas flashcards
• Hide one set of the cards around the room and let the children find them.
• As they find each card, read the words and clap the rhythm of the words together.

Getting To Know The Song

• Then sing the song to the children using the second set of cars to illustrate each verse.
• As you sing the song, the child with the matching card stands up, holding their card.
• This may seem easy enough at first, but of course as each of the 12 days is listed back at the end of the verse it means everyone has to listen very carefully!
• Start slowly and you can pick up the speed once they’ve got the hang of it.
• Of course there’s a lot of bobbing up and down and everyone finds it very funny!

Making It More Challenging

• With older children, who know the song it becomes a memory game, so you don’t use the second set of cards which will make it harder.
• You could also choose an instrument to represent each day – either a triangle, sticks, bells or tambourine depending on what you have available.
• Instead of jumping up and showing a card, they can then tap the rhythm of the words as everyone sings together.
• This requires a great deal of listening and concentration to jump up and play their instrument at the correct moment.
• Again, be prepared for a certain amount of bobbing up and down – but lots of giggles!

Print The 12 Days Of Christmas Flashcards Here – Sheet 1 – Sheet 2 – Sheet 3

Check out our Christmas lesson plan for lots more musical and educational activities to celebrate the season!