Free Printable Pictures of the 12 Days of Christmas – Looking for free printable pictures of the Twelve Days of Christmas? These festive images—coloring pages, flashcards, posters, and wall art—make it easy to celebrate the classic carol at home, in the classroom, or as holiday decorations. Perfect for U.S. families, teachers, and crafters, free printables let you bring the song’s charming gifts to life without spending a dime.
This guide explains the tradition, lists the twelve gifts, and points you to legitimate, high-quality free resources you can download and print right away.
What Are the Twelve Days of Christmas?
The Twelve Days of Christmas refer to the period from Christmas Day (December 25) through January 5, ending with Twelfth Night and leading into Epiphany on January 6. The well-known English carol is a cumulative song that describes a series of gifts given by a true love on each of those days. First published in the late 18th century, the song became especially popular in its modern form after Frederic Austin’s 1909 arrangement.
In the United States, many people enjoy the song simply as a fun holiday classic, while others use it for educational activities that teach counting, ordinal numbers, and memory skills. Free printable pictures turn the lyrics into visual aids kids (and adults) can color, display, or use in crafts.
The Twelve Gifts in the Song
Here are the gifts in the most common modern version of the carol:
- A partridge in a pear tree
- Two turtle doves
- Three French hens
- Four calling birds
- Five golden rings
- Six geese a-laying
- Seven swans a-swimming
- Eight maids a-milking
- Nine ladies dancing
- Ten lords a-leaping
- Eleven pipers piping
- Twelve drummers drumming
Printable pictures typically illustrate each of these so you can create a full set for counting activities, a gallery wall, or a daily countdown.
Where to Find Free Printable Pictures?
Several trusted educational sites offer free, ready-to-print resources featuring the Twelve Days of Christmas. These are designed for personal or classroom use and work well on standard U.S. letter-size paper.
- Super Simple provides a free set of coloring pages that introduce the characters and gifts from the song. The pages are kid-friendly and easy to print. Download them here: Super Simple 12 Days of Christmas Coloring Pages.
- The same site also offers free flashcards covering all twelve gifts—ideal for learning vocabulary, sequencing, or memory games. Get the PDF here: Super Simple 12 Days of Christmas Flashcards.
- First-School.ws is a long-running educational site with free printable coloring pages, wall-decor posters, and related number activities based on the carol. These work especially well for preschool and kindergarten. Explore the full collection here: First-School Twelve Days of Christmas Printables.
Always check the site’s terms for personal or educational use only. Print on regular paper for coloring or cardstock for more durable posters and flashcards.
Free Printable Pictures of the 12 Days of Christmas
Practical Ways to Use Your Printables
Print the full set and display one picture each day from December 25 to January 5 for a simple family countdown. Kids can color the pages as you sing the corresponding verse. Teachers often use the flashcards or posters for number recognition and sequential order activities. You can also turn mini prints into gift tags, ornaments, or a homemade book.
For best results, use a color printer when available, or let children add their own color with crayons, markers, or colored pencils. Laminating finished pages helps them last through multiple holiday seasons.
Brief FAQ
Are these printables really free?
Yes. The resources linked above are offered at no cost for personal and classroom use. Some sites may ask you to enter an email for access or recommend Adobe Reader for best results, but no payment is required.
What paper size do they use?
Most are formatted for standard U.S. letter (8.5″ × 11″) paper, making them convenient for home printers.
Can I use them for classroom or party decorations?
Yes, as long as you follow each site’s personal/educational-use guidelines. They are not intended for commercial resale.
Where can I learn more about the song’s history?
A clear overview is available on Wikipedia: The Twelve Days of Christmas (song).
Free printable pictures of the Twelve Days of Christmas are an easy, budget-friendly way to enjoy the carol’s whimsy. Download a set today, print them out, and start counting the days with festive illustrations that the whole family can enjoy.