Christmas Game Ideas for School: Number Match 0-30

Christmas Number Game – Printable Cards for Math Practice 0-30

I put this number game together for the last couple of weeks before winter break, mostly because I needed something that would get them practising numbers but also let them move and talk a little. The idea is really simple: they each get a card, and there’s one card in the middle — and the goal is to find the one number that both cards have in common. That’s it. No complicated rules, and they pick it up within seconds.

What surprised me was how into it they got. Even the students who usually aren’t that focused during math were engaged. They were shouting out numbers, helping each other, and asking to play again. I’ve played it in pairs, small groups, even whole class with two teams — and it worked every time. The Christmas designs give it a nice seasonal feel, but it’s still clearly a math activity. The cards go from 0 to 30, and there are a few different versions you can print — I made round ones at first but ended up using the square version because it was quicker to cut.

Some of my students struggled with number recognition at the start of the year, and I noticed that after a few rounds of this, they started to recognise the numbers faster. It’s a bit of sneaky learning — they just think they’re playing a game, but the repetition really helps.

I usually print on regular paper, sometimes heavier paper if I want to reuse the set. It doesn’t take long to prep — I just cut the cards in the evening, put them in an envelope, and that’s it. It’s become one of my favourite December math go-tos because it keeps the class busy, learning, and having fun — without any chaos.

📍 Happy teaching,

Heike from Lernfitness

Did You Know?

I teach with a certified therapy dog, and together we focus on creating a positive and inspiring learning environment.