How to use it
Pick your big day and how many days are left.
Print the chart and hang it where your child will see it each morning.
Fill in or sticker one shape each day, starting from the biggest number.
For a paper chain, cut out the strips, loop and tape them together, and tear off one link a day.
Questions parents ask
How many days should we count?
For younger children, ten days or fewer can be easier to follow. You can always start with the full countdown and only use the last stretch.
When should we start?
Start on the day that matches the top number. For a 25-day Christmas countdown, that’s December 1.
Can we count down to something else?
Yes. Change the title and the big day to anything: a visit from family, a new baby, or the first day of school.
Is my child’s name saved anywhere?
No. A name you type stays in your browser so it can print on the sheet. It is never sent to us.
Is it really free?
Yes. One email unlocks this and every other tool in the library, and you can print as many as you like. Your email also brings one short story each Tuesday, and you can leave anytime.
Read it with a story
This is a simple visual support for everyday routines, not a therapy or a treatment. If your child works with a teacher or therapist, they can tell you how it fits with what they already do. Picture symbols: Mulberry Symbols, CC BY-SA 4.0.