Printable Christmas Cards to Color (Free Templates)
Updated November 2026 · 16 free printables
Sixteen free Christmas card templates that kids color themselves: a reindeer, Santa, a kitten in a stocking, a nutcracker, an owl wrapped in lights, a penguin, a polar bear, a puppy in a present, a snowman, a wreath, a string of lights and more, plus two blank templates where the child draws the picture under MERRY CHRISTMAS or HAPPY HOLIDAYS bubble letters. Twelve are half-fold cards (5.5 x 8.5 inches, the classic greeting-card size) and two are quarter-fold minis (4.25 x 5.5 inches) that fold from a single page.
Every card prints on US Letter or A4. The front panel is black-and-white line art with hollow lettering to color, the inside has a short printed greeting, a To: line, ruled writing lines and a From: line, and the back has a small Colored by line so the artist can sign. To fold a half-fold card, color the front while the sheet is flat, then fold along the gray dashed line with the picture outside; the inside page can be printed on the back of the same sheet (choose 2-sided, flip on long edge) or left blank for a handwritten note. Cardstock (65 lb / 176 gsm) makes a card that stands up on the mantel; regular paper works fine for crayons and for cards that go in an envelope. Free for home, homeschool and classroom use.
At a glance
- Pages
- 16 free printables, one PDF each
- Ages
- 3 to 12
- Levels
- Easy, Detailed
- Paper
- US Letter and A4
- Price
- free, no sign-up needed to download
All 16 Printable Christmas Cards to Color (Free Templates), One by One
Here is a closer look at every page in this collection, with who it's best for and a coloring idea for each one.
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1. Reindeer Christmas Card to Color
A sitting reindeer with a jingle-bell collar and a big smile fills the front of this half-fold card, under a MERRY CHRISTMAS bubble lettering to color. Inside: a printed wish, a To: line, ruled writing lines and a From: line. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. Big, open spaces and thick lines make it a great pick for preschoolers and kindergartners. Add white for snow.
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2. Santa Claus Christmas Card to Color
Santa's jolly face with his curly beard, hat and holly is the front of this half-fold card; the HO HO HO letters are hollow so they can be colored too. Inside there is a short greeting and lined space for a note. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. Big, open spaces and thick lines make it a great pick for preschoolers and kindergartners. Add white for snow.
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3. Kitten in a Stocking Christmas Card to Color
A kitten peeks out of a striped Christmas stocking hung from a holly branch on the front of this half-fold card, with HAPPY HOLIDAYS lettering below. The inside has a printed wish and writing lines for the child's own message. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. Big, open spaces and thick lines make it a great pick for preschoolers and kindergartners. Add your name on the cuff.
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4. Nutcracker Christmas Card to Color
A tall nutcracker soldier with a feathered hat, braided jacket and boots stands on the front of this half-fold card, with a big JOY to color underneath. The uniform has many small parts, so this one suits patient colorers. Inside: a printed wish and ruled lines. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. It has lots of smaller spaces, so it suits kids 8 and up, teens and adults. Add white for snow.
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5. Owl Christmas Card to Color
A wide-eyed owl in a scarf sits on a snowy branch wrapped in Christmas lights on the front of this half-fold card, with WARM WISHES lettering to color. Open it to find a printed greeting on the left and writing lines on the right. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. There is plenty to color here, which makes it a good longer project. Add white for snow.
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6. Penguin Christmas Card to Color
A round penguin in a Santa hat holds a present on an ice floe on the front of this half-fold card; LET IT SNOW is written in hollow bubble letters below. Inside: a printed wish, To: and From: lines and room to write. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. Simple shapes keep it relaxing for little hands, roughly ages 3 to 7. Add white for snow.
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7. Polar Bear Christmas Card to Color
A polar bear in a scarf hugs a wrapped present in front of an igloo on this half-fold card, with BEAR HUGS lettering to color. The inside carries a printed wish and ruled writing lines with To: and From:. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. The bold outlines are easy to stay inside, even with chunky crayons. Give each present a different wrapping paper color.
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8. Puppy Christmas Card to Color
A puppy with reindeer antlers pops out of a big gift box on the front of this half-fold card, under the pun HAPPY PAWLIDAYS in bubble letters. Inside: a matching greeting, a To: line, writing lines and From:. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. The bold outlines are easy to stay inside, even with chunky crayons. Make the bows a contrasting color.
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9. Snowman Christmas Card to Color
Two polar bear cubs and their mom build a snowman under the northern lights on the front of this half-fold card, with HOLLY JOLLY lettering to color. The inside has a printed wish and lines for a message. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. It has lots of smaller spaces, so it suits kids 8 and up, teens and adults. Keep the snowman white and color the scarf in bright stripes.
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10. Nice List Christmas Card to Color
Santa checks his long Nice List on the front of this half-fold card, and the bubble lettering says YOU MADE THE LIST. A nice one to give to a classmate or a sibling. Inside: a printed wish and ruled lines. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. Grab colored pencils or fine-tip markers for all the little details. Add white for snow.
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11. Christmas Wreath Card to Color
A leafy wreath with berries, four baubles and a big bow frames the word JOY on the front of this half-fold card; TO THE WORLD runs underneath. Every leaf and bauble is a small space to color. Inside: a printed wish and writing lines. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. It has lots of smaller spaces, so it suits kids 8 and up, teens and adults. Red, green and gold make a classic Christmas palette.
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12. Christmas Lights Card to Color
Three swags of string lights with round and teardrop bulbs hang across the front of this half-fold card, with MERRY AND BRIGHT lettering to color. Color each bulb a different color. Inside: a printed wish, To:, writing lines and From:. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. Big, open spaces and thick lines make it a great pick for preschoolers and kindergartners. Red, green and gold make a classic Christmas palette.
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13. Gingerbread Man Mini Christmas Card to Color
A quarter-fold mini card (4.25 x 5.5 in) with a smiling gingerbread man between two candy canes on the front and SWEET WISHES to color. One single-sided page gives the front, the inside greeting with writing lines and the back. Folded size 4.25 x 5.5 in. Print one page, color, fold the top half back and then the left half back: the picture ends up in front, the greeting and writing lines inside, and the artist's name on the back. Page 2 shows the folds. The bold outlines are easy to stay inside, even with chunky crayons. Light brown cookies with white icing and colorful buttons look sweet.
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14. Ornament Mini Christmas Card to Color
A big bauble with four rings of patterns and a bow on its cap is the front of this quarter-fold mini card, with NOEL in bubble letters. Fold it twice and the greeting and lines are inside. Punch a hole in the corner and it doubles as a tree tag. Folded size 4.25 x 5.5 in. Print one page, color, fold the top half back and then the left half back: the picture ends up in front, the greeting and writing lines inside, and the artist's name on the back. Page 2 shows the folds. Grab colored pencils or fine-tip markers for all the little details. Try a red, green and gold palette.
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15. Merry Christmas Card Template to Color
A blank half-fold card template: MERRY CHRISTMAS in bubble letters at the top of the front, holly in the bottom corners and a big empty frame for the child's own drawing. Inside: a printed Merry Christmas, To:, ruled lines and From:. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. Big, open spaces and thick lines make it a great pick for preschoolers and kindergartners. Add white for snow.
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16. Happy Holidays Card Template to Color
A blank half-fold card template with HAPPY HOLIDAYS lettering to color at the top, snowflakes and a star in the bottom corners and an empty frame to draw in. Works for any winter holiday. Inside: a printed greeting and writing lines. Folded size 5.5 x 8.5 in. Print on US Letter or A4, color the front, then fold the sheet in half along the dashed line so the picture is on the outside. Page 2 is the inside of the card: print it on the back of the same sheet (2-sided, flip on the long edge) or skip it and write your message by hand. Big, open spaces and thick lines make it a great pick for preschoolers and kindergartners. Add white for snow.
Tips for coloring Printable Christmas Cards to Color (Free Templates)
- Color before you fold: a flat sheet is easier to color and the crease will not crack the crayon layer.
- Score the fold with a ruler and the back of a butter knife before folding cardstock; the edge comes out crisp.
- A half-fold card fits a standard A2 envelope (4 3/8 x 5 3/4 in); the mini cards fit a 4-bar envelope or a lunchbox.
- Print the inside page on the back of the same sheet with 2-sided printing (flip on long edge), or print it on a second sheet, cut the right half and glue it inside.
- Washable markers work best on cardstock; on regular paper use crayons or colored pencils so the color does not show through to the inside.
- Let the child sign the Colored by line on the back: grandparents keep these for years.
Fun facts about Printable Christmas Cards to Color (Free Templates)
- The first commercial Christmas card was printed in London in 1843 by Sir Henry Cole, and only about 1,000 copies were made.
- Americans send about 1.3 billion Christmas cards a year, more than for any other holiday.
- A quarter-fold card is folded twice, which is why the top half of the template is printed upside down.
- Hand-colored cards were common before color printing was cheap: Victorian children painted printed outlines, much like these pages.
- Cardstock weight is given in pounds in the US (65 lb cover) and in grams per square meter elsewhere (176 gsm); both mean the same stiff paper.
Fun ways to use your printables
- Class card factory: each child colors one card, and the stack goes to a nursing home or the school office staff.
- Card for Santa: color the Nice List card, write what you did well this year inside, and leave it with the cookies.
- Advent countdown: color one card a day in December and mail or hand out the finished cards before the holidays.
- Mini tree tags: punch a hole in the corner of a folded mini card and hang it on the tree with a ribbon.
- Mix the cards with the Christmas coloring pages for a party table: cards for grandparents, pages to take home.
How to print
Click Download PDF on any page and print it at 100% on US Letter or A4 paper. Use regular printer paper for crayons and pencils, or cardstock for markers and paint. Every page here is free for home, classroom and party use, so feel free to print as many copies as you need.
Frequently asked questions
How do I fold a printable Christmas card?
Color first, while the sheet is flat. For the half-fold cards, fold the page in half along the gray dashed line so the picture is on the outside; run a ruler along the crease. The two mini cards fold twice: top half back, then left half back, and the picture ends up in front. Page 2 of each mini card shows the folds.
What paper should I print the cards on?
White cardstock (65 lb or about 176 gsm) gives a card that stands up and takes markers without bleeding. Regular 20 lb printer paper is fine for crayons and colored pencils, and it folds more easily for small hands. Print at 100 percent (actual size), not fit to page, so the fold line stays in the middle.
Can kids write their own message inside?
Yes. The inside of every card has a To: line, seven ruled writing lines and a From: line, with a short printed greeting on the left page. Younger children can draw inside instead; the lines are light gray.
Do the cards print in color?
No, they print in black and white on purpose: the front is a coloring page and the bubble letters are hollow so they can be colored too. Only the fold marks are light gray.
Can I make my own card design?
Yes. The two card templates have the lettering at the top of the front and an empty frame below it, so the child draws the picture. The Merry Christmas template has holly corners, the Happy Holidays one has snowflakes and works for any winter holiday.
Are the cards free for a classroom?
Yes. Print as many copies as you need for your class, scout group or family. Please link to this page rather than re-uploading the files.