Free December Reading Log Printable

The December reading log has been a favorite in our home for making holiday reading extra special.

Each time my child finishes a book, they excitedly grab their crayons to color in one of the 12 gingerbread men on the page.

It’s not just a way to track their progress, it’s become a fun and creative tradition that keeps them motivated to read throughout the festive season.

With space to add their name and the option to print extra pages, this simple activity grows with their enthusiasm, turning reading into an engaging holiday challenge we look forward to every year.

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Track holiday reading with a gingerbread chart

The gingerbread-themed reading log printable is a delightful and engaging way to inspire kids to read during the holiday season. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• 12 Gingerbread Men to Color: Each gingerbread man represents a completed book, giving kids a tangible way to celebrate their progress.
• Personalized Touch: Kids can add their name at the top, making the chart feel uniquely theirs.
• Fun Book Tracking: At the end of the month, kids can tally up their colored gingerbread men to see how much they’ve read.

With its simple and festive design, this chart is perfect for young readers, particularly those in early elementary school. Parents and teachers alike will find it an effective and cheerful way to encourage a love of reading during the holidays.

How does it work?

The holiday reading tracker makes tracking books simple and fun for kids:

• After finishing a book, kids color in one of the 12 gingerbread men on the page, turning each achievement into a creative moment.
• Each gingerbread man serves as a colorful reminder of their progress, motivating them to keep reading.
• At the end of the month, kids can count their gingerbread men to see how many books they’ve read. For avid readers, printing additional pages extends the challenge and keeps the excitement alive.

Whether at home, in the classroom, or as part of a holiday reading club, this activity offers an enjoyable way to celebrate reading milestones throughout December.

Benefits of the December book tracker

The book log transforms reading into an engaging and rewarding experience:

• Encourages Goal Setting: With a 12-book goal, kids learn to work toward achievable milestones, while extra pages let enthusiastic readers aim even higher.
• Boosts Creativity: Coloring the gingerbread men adds a playful, artistic element, allowing kids to personalize their log with unique designs.
• Builds Confidence: Watching their progress grow boosts self-esteem and fosters a sense of accomplishment.
• Develops Fine Motor Skills: Coloring improves coordination, especially for younger children still mastering these abilities.

By turning reading into a festive challenge, the reading progress chart helps children build positive habits and a lifelong love of books.

Tips for parents and teachers

Encourage a love of reading this holiday season with these simple tips to make the December book log even more effective and enjoyable:

• Choose winter or holiday-themed stories to make the activity more exciting.
• Offer small rewards, like a holiday treat or a new book, to celebrate completed logs.
• Discuss the books your child has read to enhance comprehension and spark thoughtful conversations.
• Use the log in classrooms or book clubs to turn reading into a shared, festive activity.

The printable coloring page suits all kinds of readers. Reluctant readers are drawn in by its fun design and sense of achievement, while avid readers can extend the challenge with extra pages.

Its flexibility ensures every child can enjoy and benefit from this festive reading tradition.

For younger readers, check out our favorite Christmas books for kindergaten to pair with the December reading log.

Top 3 festive books to pair with the reading log

Encourage cozy winter reading with these festive favorites that perfectly complement the holiday season:

• How to Catch a Gingerbread Man: This fun and interactive story follows the mischievous gingerbread man on a wild escape. It’s a delightful tale that kids will love, especially as they try to “catch” him alongside the creative traps.
• The Polar Express: A timeless classic, this magical tale of a train ride to the North Pole captures the wonder of Christmas. Its heartwarming message about believing in the magic of the season makes it perfect for family reading.
• Little Red Sleigh: This sweet and beautifully illustrated story follows a tiny sleigh on a big adventure to prove she can bring Christmas cheer. It’s an inspiring tale about perseverance and believing in yourself.

These books not only make reading fun but also tie in wonderfully with the festive themes of the holiday reading chart.

For even more holiday magic, include one of our favorite elf books for younger kids.

More Christmas themed worksheets

Add some extra holiday fun to your child’s learning routine with these Christmas-themed worksheets.

Each activity is designed to keep kids engaged while encouraging creativity, fine motor skills, and literacy development:

• Christmas dot to dot printables: These fun puzzles challenge kids to connect the dots and reveal festive images like Santa, reindeer, or Christmas trees. They’re perfect for building number recognition and fine motor coordination.
• Christmas writing prompts: Inspire your young writers with seasonal prompts like “What would you ask Santa for if you were one of his reindeer?” or “Describe your dream Christmas morning.” These prompts encourage storytelling and creative thinking while practicing writing skills.
• Christmas alphabet worksheets: Help early learners reinforce their ABCs with festive-themed alphabet activities. Kids can trace and write letters, match uppercase and lowercase letters, or identify letters hidden in holiday scenes.

Need to print later? Add this to your Pinterest board or share it on Facebook. You’ll have it handy whenever you’re ready to use it!

Grab the free gingerbread reading log coloring page here!

To get your free printables for kids, simply add your name and email address to the form below.

Last Updated on 3 December 2024 by Clare Brown