Christmas Color by Number – 30 Free Printable Worksheets
Christmas is celebrated on December 25, and in Germany the gifts come a day earlier, on Christmas Eve. Whatever your family’s tradition, a quiet hour with crayons fits the season. This collection of 30 free printable Christmas color by number worksheets has festive pictures to fill in, one numbered area at a time. Pick a sheet, match each number to its crayon in the color key, and watch the picture appear.
All 30 Christmas Color by Number Worksheets
All worksheets are free. Click any picture to open the PDF, which prints cleanly on A4 and US Letter paper. The sheets are sorted from easy to hard, so you can start simple and work up. Every worksheet has a color key at the bottom, and page 2 of each PDF shows the colored solution.
Easy Color by Number (13–25 Areas)
Five-Pointed Christmas Star with Rays (13 Areas)

One big five-pointed star sits in the middle of the page, with ten straight lines fanning out from its tips and notches to the edges. This splits the background into wedge-shaped sections. The star is a single open area for a bright yellow or gold, and the wedges suit alternating sky colors. It’s an easy sheet with no fine detail.
Round Ornament with Zigzag Bands (17 Areas)

A big round bauble fills the page, crossed by four zigzag bands and topped with a ringed cap. Behind it, a fir tree stands on a snowy hill, and a scalloped bush sits at the left. The five stripes between the zigzags are wide and open, so this is an easy sheet for beginners.
Smiling Reindeer Face with Antlers (17 Areas)

A front-facing reindeer with a big round nose, wide smile and two large eyes with highlights sits between a pair of curly antlers. Small details include a tuft of hair on the forehead, inner ear shapes and a fluffy chest patch. The nose is a natural spot for red, and the smooth antlers take brown well.
Polar Bear in Santa Hat and Scarf (18 Areas)

A sitting polar bear with a smiling face wears a Santa hat with a round pom-pom and a striped scarf whose end hangs down the front. Two wide curved bands run behind it. The big, open shapes suit a white bear, a red hat and a scarf in two alternating colors.
Smiling Gingerbread Man with Three Buttons (19 Areas)

A front-facing gingerbread man with a round head, big oval eyes and a wide smile stands with arms and legs spread. Three round buttons run down his belly, and wavy icing lines trim his wrists and ankles. The body is one large open area that suits warm browns, while the buttons and icing bands are small.
Christmas Bell with Holly and Bow (20 Areas)

A large bell seen from slightly below, with its round clapper showing inside the wide rim. Three holly leaves with pointed edges fan out behind a bow, and a cluster of three berries sits at the knot. Curved hill lines run across the background. The bell body is one big open area, while the berries and bow tails are small and need a steadier hand.
Nutcracker Soldier with a Drum (22 Areas)

A front-facing nutcracker soldier in a tall top hat with a wide band holds a drum with two vertical seams in front of his body. He has dot eyes, a curly mustache and a pointed beard, and three horizontal lines run across the background. The big, simple shapes suit a red coat, a gold hat band and a blue drum.
Elf with Toy Hammer (22 Areas)

A smiling elf stands facing front in a tall pointed hat with a round pompom. One mittened hand holds a big square-headed wooden hammer, and a wide double belt crosses the tunic. Three horizontal lines run behind him. The large, open shapes are easy to fill, and the hat and tunic could take two shades of green.
Fireplace with Three Stockings and Clock (25 Areas)

A round wall clock sits above a mantel, and three matching stockings with cuffs and curved heel lines hang beneath it. An arched opening below holds a fire with two flames and two crossed logs. The flames suit orange and yellow, and the stockings can each get a different color.
Medium Color by Number (26–52 Areas)
Snow Globe with Cottage and Fir Trees (26 Areas)

Inside a round glass globe, a snow-capped cottage with a chimney, two square windows and a door stands on a hill. A winding path leads to it, and two fir trees with scalloped snow layers flank the house. The globe rests on a wide, tiered base. The roof and the trees are big, open areas that take green and brown well.
Gift Box with Big Bow (27 Areas)

A square wrapped present seen from a corner angle, with ribbon stripes down each side and a large two-loop bow with two pointed tails on top. A thin string rises from the bow knot, and a soft hill line runs behind the box. The wide, open shapes suit a color-by-number sheet well, and the ribbon and bow could take a bright red against a green box.
Smiling Angel Holding a Star (27 Areas)

Color by number sheet of a smiling angel with wavy hair who holds a big five-pointed star in both hands. Two layered wings with three feathers each spread to the sides, and rows of scalloped clouds fill the background. The long gown has a center panel that suits a pale shade, and the wing feathers each take a different color.
Penguin in Scarf Beside a Gift Box (29 Areas)

A round-faced penguin in a striped scarf stands on a snowy hill next to a tall gift box with two vertical ribbon bands and a two-loop bow. Two wide arcs cross the sky above, and soft drifts roll across the foreground. The big, open shapes make this an easy sheet.
Window with Two Candles and Snowy Fir Trees (29 Areas)

Two tall pillar candles with teardrop flames stand on a windowsill, framed by curtains that flare toward the sill. Behind the cross-bar panes, two fir trees rise over rolling snow hills. Large candle bodies and flames make easy shapes, and the hills are good for blue-gray shades.
Santa’s Sleigh Loaded with Three Presents (31 Areas)

Santa’s sleigh with curled front and back ends sits on a wide oval runner, carrying three wrapped presents. Each present has a ribbon band and a round-centered bow with three loops, and a horizontal line runs behind the sleigh. The tall middle box is a good place to try a bold red and green pairing.
Village Church with Two Cottages (31 Areas)

A church with a tall pointed steeple and a cross stands on a snowy hill between two cottages with chimneys. A winding path leads up to its arched door, and two puffy clouds float above. The wide hills and clouds are big, open areas that take a smooth, even color well.
Christmas Tree with Ornaments and Star (34 Areas)

A tiered fir tree with scalloped branch edges stands in a flowerpot, topped by a five-pointed star. Twelve round ornaments with little caps hang on it, and three curved garland bands sweep across the layers. A big arc cuts through the background behind the tree. The wide garland bands and the ornaments are easy to fill in different colors.
Holly Wreath with Big Bow and Berries (35 Areas)

A round wreath with a scalloped, fluffy edge is topped by a large bow with two long tails. Three holly leaves and three clusters of dotted berries sit around the ring, and straight lines split the background into four sections. The bow and berries suit red, while the leaves and ring take green.
Crossed Candy Canes with Bow (36 Areas)

Two candy canes cross in an X, with their curved hooks at the top and a big bow tied where they meet. Curved stripes wind down each cane, and the bow has two loops and two notched tails. A thin string runs up from the knot, and soft hill lines cross the background. The wide stripes would suit alternating red and white, with a green bow.
Fox and Fawn by a Star-Topped Fir (37 Areas)

A sitting fox with a big bushy tail and a young deer with small antlers stand on snowy hills in front of a scalloped fir tree topped with a star. Four round baubles hang on the tree, and two plain pines rise behind it. The fox’s jagged tail tip and the rolling hills make good spots for contrasting colors, such as orange against white snow.
Striped Christmas Stocking with Star (38 Areas)

As a color-by-number sheet, a large Christmas stocking with a banded cuff, curved stripes and a star in the middle, with a candy cane, a small wrapped gift with a bow, and a holly sprig with three berries poking out of the top. The star and the berries are small areas, so they suit a bright accent such as yellow or red.
Hot Cocoa Mug with Marshmallows and Star Cookies (38 Areas)

A big cocoa mug with three marshmallows poking out of the top has three bands of patterns: fir trees, hearts and stars, three of each. Two star-shaped cookies sit in front, and vertical stripes fill the background. The marshmallows suit soft cream or white shades, and the mug bands each work well in a different color.
Gingerbread Houses with Lollipop Trees (41 Areas)

Two gingerbread houses with thick frosting roofs sit on rolling hills, and a winding path leads up to the larger one’s arched door. Candy-striped pillars flank each house, and a round lollipop tree with a swirl stands behind each. As a color-by-number sheet, the frosting roofs could be white and pink, with red and green for the candy stripes.
Tower of Five Gift Boxes (44 Areas)

Five gift boxes stack into a tower that gets wider toward the bottom, with a vertical ribbon down the middle and one big bow on top. The boxes carry hearts and stars in alternating rows, and wavy bands run across the background. The ribbon strip and the wave bands each take a contrasting color.
Christmas Cookie Plate with Glass of Milk (49 Areas)

A oval plate holds three cutout cookies, a heart, a star and a fir tree, next to a tall glass of milk on a tiled tabletop. Behind them, a four-pane window shows a round moon and two rolling snowy hills. The tiles and window panes are big, open shapes, and the milk could stay white against a deep blue night sky.
Santa’s Sleigh with Two Reindeer over Rooftops (51 Areas)

Santa waves from a curly-runnered sleigh pulled by two leaping reindeer with collars and curly antlers. A big round moon hangs in the sky, and three snow-capped houses with chimneys and four-pane windows line the bottom. A red suit and a deep blue night sky would stand out nicely.
Mom and Boy Decorating Christmas Tree (52 Areas)

A smiling woman with wavy hair places a star on top of a scalloped fir tree while a laughing boy on a step ladder hangs a bauble. Four round ornaments hang on the tree, and two open cardboard boxes and a tree stand sit on the floor. The sweaters, trousers and tree tiers are large open areas.
Hard Color by Number (71–118 Areas)
Toy Shelves with Teddy Bear, Rocket and Drum (71 Areas)

Two wooden shelves hold six toys: a smiling teddy bear, a striped beach ball, a toy car, a rocket with a round porthole, a spinning top and a zigzag drum. Floorboards run across the bottom. The wide boards and shelf panels are large areas that take a flat, even color well.
Living Room Christmas Tree with Gifts (114 Areas)

A tall fir tree with a star on top and nine round ornaments sits on a round rug, with three wrapped gifts at its base. A stocking hangs from the mantel, a wreath hangs on the wall, and an armchair stands by a curtained window with snowy fir trees outside. The tree could take green, while the ornaments get bright, varied colors.
Christmas Market Stalls with String Lights (118 Areas)

Two snow-roofed market stalls with striped awnings face each other under a string of six round lights. The left counter shows a gingerbread man, a star cookie and a heart cookie, and the right one three wrapped gifts, one with polka dots. A star-topped fir tree stands between them. The awning stripes and scalloped edges are fine, repeating areas that suit a steady hand.
More Color by Number
All themes in one place: our main color by number page with 48 worksheets.
Similar themes: Winter Color by Number, Thanksgiving Color by Number, Halloween Color by Number and Fall Color by Number.
Prefer coloring without numbers? Try our Christmas Coloring Pages.
Why Color by Number Is Good for Kids
A color by number sheet looks like a simple coloring page, but it asks a child to do a bit more than pick a favorite crayon. Each numbered area is a small task with a clear answer, and finishing a whole picture gives a real sense of accomplishment. Here is what children practice along the way.
Numbers and Colors
Every worksheet has a color key at the bottom. Each entry is a colored dot with a number inside, so a child connects a numeral with a color and then finds that numeral in the picture. This matching step builds number recognition in a playful way, and it works for children who are still learning their numbers as well as for those who are ready for a bigger challenge. Christmas pictures also lean on the traditional palette of red, green, gold, and white, which makes the colors easy to name and talk about.
Pencil Control
Filling in an area means staying inside the lines, and that takes steady hand movement. Small shapes call for careful strokes, while larger shapes let younger children practice smooth, even coloring. Over time, a child learns to hold a crayon or pencil with more confidence, adjust the pressure, and work in one direction. These are the same skills that later help with handwriting.
Patience
The picture only comes together when every area is colored, and that rewards children who slow down. They learn to work through a sheet step by step, check the key, and keep going until the last number is done. The surprise of seeing the finished image appear is a gentle lesson in patience, and many children are proud to hang their result on the fridge or give it as a card.
Which Level Is Right for Your Child?
The worksheets are sorted into three levels by the number of areas on the page. More areas mean smaller shapes, more numbers to track, and more time at the table.
Easy Color by Number (13 to 25 areas): These pages use large, simple shapes and a short color key. They suit preschoolers and kindergartners who are just starting to match numbers with colors, and anyone who wants a quick, relaxed sheet.
Medium Color by Number (26 to 52 areas): The pictures have more detail and a longer key. They are a good fit for early elementary students who recognize numbers confidently and can color neatly in smaller spaces.
Hard Color by Number (71 to 118 areas): These sheets have many small areas and call for focus and a sharp pencil. They work well for older children, teens, and adults who enjoy a longer, calming project.
If you are unsure, start with an easy sheet and move up when your child finishes it without help and asks for more. There is no need to rush, and going back to an easier page is perfectly fine.
Tips for Printing and Coloring
A few small choices make the sheets look better and color more easily.
- Paper: Plain printer paper works well. If your child presses hard or likes to blend colors, a slightly heavier paper holds up better.
- Print settings: Choose A4 or US Letter and print at actual size, or “fit to page” if the edges are cut off. Page 1 is the worksheet and page 2 is the solution, so print only page 1 if you want to keep the answers hidden.
- Black and white is fine: Page 1 prints perfectly well on a black and white printer. The color key shows each number inside a dot, so your child can still read it clearly.
- Crayons or colored pencils: Crayons are great for younger children and large areas. Colored pencils give more control on the medium and hard sheets.
- Light colors first: Begin with yellow, gold, and other light shades, then move on to darker ones like red and green. This keeps dark pigment from smudging into light areas.
- Check the key: Lay out the crayons in the order of the key before you start, so each number has a color ready to go.
The decorated Christmas tree has been loved around the world since the 19th century, and it began in German-speaking regions. If your child colors a tree, it is a fun moment to mention that. Gold and white make good choices for ornaments and stars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these worksheets really free?
Yes. Click any picture in the gallery to open the PDF, then print it as often as you like for home use.
What age are the worksheets for?
There is a level for most ages. The easy sheets suit preschoolers and kindergartners, the medium sheets suit early elementary students, and the hard sheets suit older children, teens, and adults. Let your child’s comfort with numbers and small spaces guide the choice.
How many colors do we need?
That depends on the picture. The color key at the bottom of each sheet lists every color used, with a number inside each dot. Check the key before you print, and set out the crayons or pencils you need. Red, green, gold, and white show up often in Christmas scenes.
Where is the solution?
The solution is on page 2 of every PDF. It shows the finished, colored picture, so you can see how the sheet is meant to look or check a tricky area. You can also compare it with the preview in the gallery.
Can I use the worksheets in a classroom?
Yes. They work well as a quiet activity, a center, or a calm break before the holidays. Pick a level that matches your students, and give those who finish early a harder sheet. Keep page 2 for the teacher if you want to use it as an answer key.
Should we use markers or pencils?
Both work, but colored pencils and crayons are usually the best choice. They give good control and are less likely to bleed through the paper. Markers can look bold and bright on large areas, but they may soak through thin paper and cover the numbers, so test one on a spare sheet first.
Matthew Matthysen is an educated multidisciplinary artist and illustrator. He successfully completed his art degree at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, majoring in art history and contemporary drawing. The focus of his thesis was to explore the philosophical implications of the macro and micro-universe on the human experience. Matthew uses diverse media, such as written and hands-on components, to explore various approaches that are on the border between philosophy and science.
Matthew organized various exhibitions before and during his years as a student and is still passionate about doing so today. He currently works as a freelance artist and writer in various fields. He also has a permanent position at a renowned online gallery (ArtGazette) where he produces various works on commission. As a freelance artist, he creates several series and successfully sells them to galleries and collectors. He loves to use his work and skills in various fields of interest.
Matthew has been creating drawing and painting tutorials since the relaunch in 2020. Through his involvement with artincontext.org, he has been able to deepen his knowledge of various painting mediums. For example, watercolor techniques, calligraphy and lately digital drawing, which is becoming more and more popular.
Learn more about Matthew Matthysen and the Art in Context Team.
Cite this Article
Matthew, Matthysen, “Christmas Color by Number – 30 Free Printable Worksheets.” Art in Context. October 26, 2026. URL: https://artincontext.org/christmas-color-by-number/
Matthysen, M. (2026, 26 October). Christmas Color by Number – 30 Free Printable Worksheets. Art in Context. https://artincontext.org/christmas-color-by-number/
Matthysen, Matthew. “Christmas Color by Number – 30 Free Printable Worksheets.” Art in Context, October 26, 2026. https://artincontext.org/christmas-color-by-number/.









