My 9 Favorite 5th Grade Math Activities for Winter and Christmas

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As the year winds down and the winter holidays approach, it can be tricky to keep students engaged with review. They’re excited for vacation, seeing family, and taking a break for the year. My favorite activities during this time of year incorporate the exciting upcoming holidays into the classroom.

Here are six of my favorites that are perfect for your 5th grade math classroom.

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Expressions & Equations

Wondering how to review expressions & equations with 5th graders around the holidays?

Another great review activity for the winter holidays is Doodle Math. Like Pixel Art, it has an artistic element, but is in print format. Students solve a series of problems, with each correct answer unlocking a series of doodle patterns that they can draw onto a template image.

It’s like color-by-number or color-by-code, but with a bit more creative freedom to pick the colors that they use for the patterns.

Evaluating Numerical Expressions | Doodle Math Color by Number | Christmas

Evaluating Numerical Expressions | Doodle Math Color by Number | Christmas

$1.99

Buy on TPT →

There’s also a version of the order of operations activity that includes 1 set of problems and 5 template pictures for different holidays, for year-round use:

Evaluating Numerical Expressions Holiday | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number

Evaluating Numerical Expressions Holiday | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number

$3.99

Buy on TPT →

Decimals

Wondering how to review decimals with 5th graders around the holidays?

Try my holiday-themed decimal Doodle Math activities, where students complete a series of decimal problems, and unlock winter and Christmas themed pictures.

There's three to try:

Adding and Subtracting Decimals | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number

Adding and Subtracting Decimals | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number

$3.50

Buy on TPT →
Long Division with Decimals | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number

Long Division with Decimals | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number

$3.25

Buy on TPT →
Multiplying Decimals Word Problems | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number

Multiplying Decimals Word Problems | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number

$3.00

Buy on TPT →

And here's them in a money-saving bundle:

Decimal Operations Doodle Math BUNDLE | Twist on Color by Number

Decimal Operations Doodle Math BUNDLE | Twist on Color by Number

$7.50

Buy on TPT →

Looking for a version of this that you can reuse year-round?

I’ve produced a special Doodle Math 6-Holiday Pack for decimal operations. It contains 6 decimal operations problem sets together with 6 template images for different holidays (e.g. Hannukkah, Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day):

Decimal Operations Holiday Pack | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number

Decimal Operations Holiday Pack | Doodle Math: Twist on Color by Number

$15.00

Buy on TPT →

Challenge: Geometry

Wondering how to support fast finisher 5th graders around the holidays?

One of my favorite tools for fast finishers in the classroom is Google Sheets Pixel Art. Students solve a series of problems, and get instant feedback as they go — each correct answer unlocks part of a mystery picture. It's perfect if you have fast finishers, as you can assign Pixel Art to them, and they can work entirely independently.

And better yet, I’ve developed a set of winter-themed Pixel Art activities perfect for the holidays as well as the new year.

Area and Perimeter of Composite Figures Digital Pixel Art

Area and Perimeter of Composite Figures Digital Pixel Art

$3.99

Buy on TPT →
Area and Perimeter of Composite Figures Digital Pixel Art BUNDLE

Area and Perimeter of Composite Figures Digital Pixel Art BUNDLE

$5.99

Buy on TPT →

Stay Tuned

These are just the beginning. I’m continuing to produce more winter activities. Don’t miss them by signing up for my mailing list — you’ll receive sample activities right away and tips for using them too!

Happy holidays!

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Hi, I'm Ping!

I spent 7 years in the classroom working to make math fun and relevant in middle school, by integrating math, art, and technology. I started Congruent Math to share this all with you.

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