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You are here: Home / Gross Motor Activities / 12 Days of Christmas Game

12 Days of Christmas Game

December 14, 2016 by Amy Smith

Do you need a quick and easy kids’ Christmas game that incorporates movement and learning in a festive way? Try out this “12 Days of Christmas Game” which is sure to be a hit at school, home, and holiday parties!

Incorporate movement, exercise, learning, and fun into this 12 Days of Christmas Game that goes along with the 12 Days of Christmas song. Try it with your kids!

The concept of the game is very simple…. Jump your feet to the corresponding number when you hear it in the “12 Days of Christmas” song.  There are lots of numbers mentioned in the song, so its a challenge to jump to each number as its sang.  Finding the numbers will help to reinforce number recognition (which is an early math skill).  The game can be modified by adjusting the distances between the numbers and the speed of the song (there are lots of different speed variations of this song) so that kids of all ages can enjoy it!

Watch this short video on how to play: 

Materials Needed:

Tape

The “12 Days of Christmas” song

12 Index Cards

12 Days of Christmas

How to Play:

Tape down 12 index cards approximately 2 feet apart from each other (adjust closer or further away depending on the age/skills of your child)

Label each note card with a number beginning at 1 and ending at 12

Have the kids start with their feet on card #1

Play the “12 Days of Christmas” song and instruct the child to jump to the corresponding number once its said in the song.

The kids will jump forwards and backwards as the song counts up to 12 and back down again

Benefits of this Game

Great exercise

Develops number recognition (early math skills)

Develops gross motor skills  (hopping on 2 feet)

Develops body coordination

Develops visual motor skills

Facilitates fun and laughter!!

12 Days of Christmas Game

Give your kids the gift of spending quality time together by playing this fun and festive “12 Days of Christmas Game”!

 

 


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Related

Filed Under: Gross Motor Activities Tagged With: Christmas games, learning activities, movement activities

Disclaimer

Kids Play Smarter is a blog about general ideas, theories, and concepts related to the field of occupational therapy and the growth and development of all children. The information presented on this blog is not intended to serve as or replace occupational therapy services for your child. The information on this blog is for entertainment, informational, and educational purposes only. This blog is not meant to replace formal professional consultation or evaluation from a qualified clinician. All children need to have the approval of a physician to participate in physical activities, including those described on this blog. In addition, children need to be supervised by a responsible adult at ALL times when completing activities that are illustrated and described on this blog. The author of this blog is NOT responsible or liable for any damage, injury, accident, illness, death, or adverse reaction due to participation in the activities described on the website.

Comments

  1. Pam Perilman says

    December 16, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    adorable! GREAT ideas!

Welcome to Kids Play Smarter

Amy Smith I am an occupational therapist with over 10 years of experience working with children. I created this website to offer parents, teachers, and therapists FREE ideas, strategies, and activities that they can do with their children to improve their fine and gross motor skills, handwriting, academic learning, and regulate their sensory system all while "playing" (just playing smarter)! Read More…

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