Kids can craft their own simple holiday paper chain countdown using this guide! This children’s advent calendar is created from construction paper, devoid of candy.
Required Skills: None. Both children and adults of any age can easily create this festive countdown.
As a child, I eagerly anticipated creating our advent calendars the weekend following Thanksgiving. My mother preferred that we have countdowns free of sweets and consistently motivated us to craft things on our own.
Thus, the paper ring advent calendar was conceived! This concept isn’t new – it has been around since my childhood, and I’m certain well before that.
I aimed to revive it for those parents who may have never encountered it and demonstrate just how simple it is to create! If you and your offspring enjoy advent calendar concepts, this will surely be a favorite.
One of the most delightful aspects of this paper chain countdown is that your little one can assist in its creation. Naturally, with any scissors, adult supervision is required, but a child can accomplish most (if not all!) of the tasks!
Collect These Materials
I would love to know what characters you and your family contemplate crafting for your countdowns.
Obtain the printable instructional card for this project below:
Christmas Countdown Chain
Discover how to create a paper chain Christmas countdown – ideal for all ages, from toddlers to older kids. This can be adapted for various holidays or occasions!
Preparation Time10 minutes mins
Active Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Total Duration1 hour hr 40 minutes mins
Yield:
2 calendars
Expense: $2
- Construction paper at least four sheets of each hue, brown and white
- Craft foam black, orange, and brown
- Craft adhesive
- Adhesive wiggle eyes
- Ribbon small wreath, pom poms, or other decorations
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On the construction paper, align the ruler parallel to the shorter side and trace along the right edge of the ruler.
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Shift the ruler over and position the left edge on the pen marker, then draw another line down the right side of the ruler. Continue this until the entire sheet is divided. You should receive about 8 – 9 strips per sheet of construction paper.
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Eliminate all the strips. You will require 26 strips in total – 25 rings for the countdown and one for the head.
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Utilize a stapler to convert 24 of the paper strips into rings, fastening them in sequence. Staple the 25th ring but don’t secure it, and leave the 26th paper strip as is.
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Sketch your decorations (such as antlers or a hat) directly on the craft foam. Then cut them out with the scissors.
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Adorn the craft foam with embellishments using glue, such as ribbon and a mini wreath.
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To the solitary rings, attach your decorations with craft adhesive (the hat, the antlers, the noses, etc.). Allow them to dry. Then connect them to the primary ring chain with the final paper strip.
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Hang your chains on the wall close to your tree or in an area accessible to the children. You will cut off one of the rings each day from December 1st until Christmas morning.
If you appreciate this Christmas countdown chain, please inform me in the comments! I would also love for you to explore these additional related children’s Christmas crafts you’re going to enjoy:
Christmas Countdown Chalkboard • Coca-Cola Santa and Elves Gift • DIY Kids Christmas Wreath • Dollar Tree Christmas Crafts • Handprint Ornament • Kids’ Christmas Photo Frame • Paper Plate Christmas Crafts • Poinsettia Canvas • Recycled Christmas Tree Craft • Santa’s Magic Key • Wood Snowman Advent Calendar
