Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Christmas Dot-To-Dot
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- FormatPrintable PDF
Christmas Dot to Dot is a free printable activity sheet for young children. They join the dots in order to bring three festive figures to life. It needs only a pencil and a steady hand, and children can work at their own pace.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company. Print both pages and give page 1 to your child. Page 2 is for the grown up, with notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children join the dots to create three festive figures. They start at the first dot and move to the next one, then the next, keeping the pencil line going in the right order. As the line grows, a picture appears. There is no need to guess what is coming. The dots lead the way, so the sheet rewards careful, patient work.
Why dot to dot is worth doing
Dot to dot looks like a simple puzzle, but it asks a lot of a young child. They must find the next dot, move the pencil to it and keep a steady line. Each join is a small decision followed by a small movement. Doing this again and again builds the hand control that later helps with writing and drawing.
It also suits the season. In December, children are busy with cards, decorations and stories, and a Christmas picture feels familiar. A calm pencil activity gives a break from the noise and excitement. It works well at the table at home, in a quiet corner of the classroom or while waiting for something else to begin.
Skills and curriculum link
- Pencil control
- Following a sequence
- Hand and eye coordination
- Concentration
- Visual attention
- Patience
Ideas to help your child
- Find the next dotBefore each join, ask your child to point to the dot they are heading for. Pointing first helps them look ahead and gives the pencil a clear target.
- Keep a light touchA gentle line is easier to control and easier to rub out. Encourage your child to hold the pencil lightly and move slowly.
- Use a finger guideIf the dots are close together, a child can rest a finger of their other hand on the last dot. This stops them losing their place.
- Take a short breakThree figures can feel like a lot. It is fine to do one figure, stop, and return to the next later.
Key words
- DotA small round mark. On this sheet, each dot is a point to join.
- SequenceThings that come one after another in a set order.
- JoinDraw a line to connect one point to another.
- OutlineThe line around the edge of a shape or picture.
- FigureA person or character in a picture.
- FestiveConnected with a celebration, such as Christmas.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has notes for you.
- Sharpen a pencil and sit somewhere comfortable. Ask your child to look at the whole sheet before they begin.
- Show your child how to start at the first dot and move to the next one, keeping to the right order.
- Let them work at their own pace. Ask them to point to each next dot before they draw to it.
- When a figure is finished, talk about it. Your child can colour it in if they like, then move on to the next figure.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Cover the part of the sheet your child is not using with a piece of paper, so there are fewer dots to look at. Let them point to the next dot with a finger before drawing. Do one figure at a time and take a break between them.
To stretch confident children
Ask your child to design their own dot to dot on plain paper. They draw a simple festive shape, add dots around the outline, and put the dots in order. Then a friend or family member joins them up to see the picture.
Make it a game
Before joining the dots, ask each player to guess what the figure will be. Draw a few joins, then guess again. Keep going until someone is sure. Check the guess when the figure is finished. Take turns being the one who draws.
Talk about it
- What do you think this figure will look like when you have joined all the dots?
- How do you know which dot comes next?
- Which figure was the trickiest to draw, and why?
- What colours would you choose for each figure?
- What do you like best about Christmas?
- If you could add one more festive figure to the sheet, what would it be?
Take it off the page
Draw a Christmas card
Fold a piece of paper in half and draw a festive picture on the front. Write a short message inside for someone you know.
Playdough figures
Make festive figures from playdough. Roll the dough into shapes and press them together. This builds hand strength.
Paper chain
Cut strips of coloured paper and loop them into a chain. An adult can help with the scissors. Count the loops as you go.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first few joins, then let them lead. Praise careful work rather than speed. If they lose their place, help them find the last dot they joined and carry on from there.
Teachers
Use it as a calm activity in the weeks before Christmas, as a settling task or for early finishers. It gives practice in pencil control and following a sequence. Children can colour their figures for a classroom display.
Home educators
Use it as a quiet seasonal activity alongside other Christmas crafts. It is easy to fit into a busy day, and children of different ages can sit together, with older ones helping younger ones. Print extra copies for repeat practice.
Where this fits
Before dot to dot, children usually enjoy scribbling, tracing lines and copying simple shapes. These early activities build the grip and arm control that dot to dot depends on.
After this sheet, children can move on to more detailed dot to dot pictures, tracing letters and numbers, and drawing from memory. Each of these builds on the same skills of control, attention and following a set order.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Christmas Dot to Dot for?
It suits younger children who are learning to control a pencil. Some may need a grown up beside them at first. Older children can enjoy it as a quick, relaxing activity, or use the stretch idea on page 2.
- Do I need anything other than a printer?
Yes, you need a pencil. Have one ready before your child starts. Colouring pencils or crayons are a good extra if your child wants to colour in the figures once they have joined the dots.
- What if my child joins the dots in the wrong order?
Stay calm. A dot to dot works by following the order, so go back to the last correct dot and carry on from there. Rubbing out a light pencil line is easy. Gentle lines make fixing a slip simple.
- Can I print it in black and white?
Yes. The sheet works well in black and white, which saves colour ink. Children can add their own colours afterwards with pencils or crayons if they would like to.
- How can this help with writing?
Joining dots practises holding a pencil, moving it with control and stopping at a set point. These are skills children use when forming letters. It is not a replacement for handwriting practice, but it is a friendly way to build the same control.
- Can I use it in a classroom?
Yes. It works as a settling activity, a calm task for early finishers or a seasonal display piece. Print one copy for each child. Page 2 has notes and ideas to help you support children who find it hard.
- What should I do if my child finds it frustrating?
Take a break, then try one figure at a time. Cover the dots they are not using, and let them point to each next dot before drawing. Praise effort. Return to the sheet later if needed.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.