• Meet the Authors
  • Write for Us
    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Classroom Freebies

  • PK-2 Freebies
  • 3-5 Freebies
  • 6-8 Freebies
  • 9-12 Freebies
  • Blog
  • Write for Us
  • About
  • Meet the Authors
You are here: Home / PK-2 / Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

December 5, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

All Freebies· PK-2

Ok, you are heading into the Winter Break homestretch!  Yay! 

But many of the students seem to believe that Santa is coming tomorrow!  No! 

And their excitement is bubbling over into your lessons making it a tad difficult to get teaching across. 

How about an idea to at least keep them reminded of the days until Break?

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

I actually made this fun Advent calendar for my nieces, who are of preschool age and were highly upset after decorating for Christmas, watching some holiday movies, and waking the next morning to find…nothing. 

They didn’t understand the concept of time well enough to know we are still almost a month away from the big day! 

I originally saw this fabulous idea on FamilyFun’s Facebook page, and knew right away that it might help them understand better with a visual. 

Here are the directions for the set I made, but as you will note in the directions, you can also adapt this same idea to the classroom and I have some freebies below for you to do just that!

Supplies Needed:

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

  • Metal Muffin Tin (depending on how many days you need and what you want to place inside, it can be 12 or 24 spots.  I used 12 for my example because I have 3 nieces who all needed a little prize for each day and the 24 cup one was too small inside, but if you are placing the reward slips of paper instead for a whole class, grab the 24 cup version so it all fits on one.)
  • Adhesive Magnet Paper (first-choice) or Magnets for the back of business cards (if you can’t find the other)
  • Cardstock
  • Printed Numbers posted below (and laminated if you wish for them to last longer)
  • A Large Nail and Hammer
  • Ribbon
  • Prizes or Reward Slips of your choice (also posted below)
  • Scissors
  • Optional:  A Scrapbooking Hole Punch in the corresponding size of the diameter of one of your muffin tin cups

Directions:

1.  Start by adding 2 holes to one end of the muffin tin.  Just place the nail over the spot where you want the hole, and tap it with the hammer (not all the way in).  It will create a hole for you.

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

2.  String your ribbon through the hole and tie a knot in the back to keep it secured.  You now have a handle that can be used to hang up your creation on the wall!

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

3.  Print off the number cards.  I have included both the 3″ large numbers (for the 12-cup pans) and the smaller 2″ numbers (for the 24-cup pans).  Laminate if you like.

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

4.  If you have adhesive magnetic paper:  Peel off the backing, and add your page of numbers.  Make sure it is securely attached.  Use a scrapbook hole punch in the corresponding size to cut out your new magnetic numbers!  Super easy!  Move on to number seven.

5.  If you could not find magnetic paper (they were completely out everywhere I checked in my town), use your business card magnets and place your already cut out numbers on the backing and trace the shape.  Use your scissors to cut out your shape.

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

6.  Peel off the back and attach to the backside of the numbers.  It serves our purpose fine!  🙂

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

7.  Place all your numbers on the muffin tin in the correct place so you can see it put all together!

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

8.  Last, insert prizes or reward slips into the cups for your students (or own children).  Take them out to share on the appropriate day of the month!  For my nieces’ version, I placed candy, coins, and other small trinkets in the calendar.  For a classroom, I would use the reward slips below.  Cut the strips apart, roll up like a pinwheel, and place inside the cups.  If you students have earned the reward for that day (maybe cut them a little slack – lol) take off the number and celebrate!

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

Hopefully your students will enjoy this fun calendar as much as you will after it is created!  If nothing else, it will serve as a nice visual for knowing how many days of LEARNING are still left in this year.  How else could you use this project in your classroom?  We would love to hear even more ideas in the comments below!

Muffin Tin Countdown Calendar

Enjoy!

~Charity

This post originally appeared at Organized Classroom.

You Might Also Like:

  • Holiday Party Tips!Holiday Party Tips!
  • Kindess BingoKindess Bingo
  • Holiday Traditions Flip BookHoliday Traditions Flip Book
  • Last minute Christmas activities to give teachers a hand! Just print and go to survive the last days before break!Last minute Christmas activities to give teachers a hand! Just print and go to survive the last days before break!

About Charity Preston

A teacher, mom, wife. Featured in Scholastic Instructor Magazine, NEA, TeachHub, and Edutopia, Charity has over a half million fans and followers all over the world. A former K-6 gifted intervention specialist, she has built and managed over 20 educational related websites since 2011, and collaborated with high profile companies, such as eBay, ASCD, and Pinterest. Charity is the CEO of PEN Group Online, Inc. where she has taught her classroom and teacherpreneur business development systems to thousands of fans and members.

« Christmas Quote Coloring Page – Wind Down and Relax
Easy Teacher Gifts »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Pin Us!

Proud Member of:

PEN Group Online, Inc.

SPECIAL COPYRIGHT NOTE
This site is copyright protected. Nothing can be reposted on this site (excluding the button features) without written permission from the author. This includes writing, photographs, images, and downloads. This blog is a collaborative blog written by a group of individuals, and each author owns and is accountable for his/her postings. Disclosure: There may be affiliate links in this post. If you click through and make a purchase, the author may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. For questions about this blog, please use the contact form link located HERE.

*Privacy Policy*

Copyright © 2023 PEN Group Online, Inc.