Paper Chain Christmas Countdown

What you need

• Paper, 3 to 5 sheets
• Paper, 3 to 5 sheets
• Paper, 3 to 5 sheets
• Kid scissors, 1 pair
• Glue stick, 1
• Crayons or markers, a handful
• Calendar, 1

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Gather red, green and white paper, scissors, tape or a glue stick, crayons and a calendar, and clear a table to work on.

1. Count the days left until Christmas on the calendar.
   Ask: How many links do you think our chain will need?
2. Cut one paper strip for each day, in red, green and white. Ask for help if you need it
3. Write or draw a small fun activity on each strip.
4. Curl your first strip into a loop and tape it shut.
5. Push the next strip through the loop and close it.
6. Keep linking strips, switching between red, green and white.
   Ask: What color pattern will you make? What comes next?
7. Hang your finished chain near a window or door. Ask for help if you need it
8. Each morning, pull off one link and do its activity.
9. Now invite a friend or a grandparent to share a link with you!
   Ask: Which link are you most excited to find, and who will you do it with?

Play it again

• Secret links: a grown-up writes surprise activities and folds them inside each loop.
• Any countdown: make a chain for a birthday, a trip or the last day of school.
• Kindness chain: every link is a kind thing to do for someone else.