DIY Paper Chain Advent Calendar Your Kids Will Love

Children can assemble their own easy holiday paper chain countdown using this tutorial! This kids advent calendar is made from construction paper, candy-free.

Skills Required: None. Children or adults of any age can make this Christmas countdown with ease.

When I was little, we looked forward to making our advent calendars the weekend after Thanksgiving. My mom preferred that we have countdowns with no candy, and she always encouraged us to make things ourselves.

Therefore the paper ring advent calendar was born! This idea isn’t original – it’s been around since I was little and I’m sure even before.

I wanted to bring it back for those parents who had maybe never seen it, and show you how easy it is to do! If you and your kids like advent calendar ideas, this is going to be a sure favorite.

One of the best things about this paper chain countdown is your little one can help make it. Of course with any scissors an adult will need to supervise, but a child can do most (if not all!) of the work!

Gather These Supplies

• Fiskars Orange-handled Scissors
• Construction paper – at least four sheets of each color (brown and white)
• Craft foam – black, orange, and brown
• Mod Podge or craft glue
• Adhesive googly eyes
• Ribbon, small wreath, pom poms, or other embellishments
• Pen or pencil
• Ruler
• Stapler

I’d love to hear what characters you and your family think of making for your countdowns.

Get the printable how to card for this project below:

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4.50 from 10 votes

Christmas Countdown Chain

Learn how to make a paper chain Christmas countdown – perfect for all ages, from toddlers to older children. Adapt to many holidays or events!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Active Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 40 minutes mins

Yield: 2 calendars

Cost: $2

Equipment

• Scissors
• Pen or pencil
• Ruler
• Stapler

Materials

• Construction paper at least four sheets of each color, brown and white
• Craft foam black, orange, and brown
• Craft glue
• Adhesive wiggle eyes
• Ribbon small wreath, pom poms, or other embellishments

Instructions

• On the construction paper, place the ruler parallel to the short side and trace down the right side of the ruler.
  
• Move the ruler over and place the left side on the pen line, then draw another line down the right side of the ruler. Keep going until the whole paper is sectioned off. You'll get about 8 – 9 strips per sheet of construction paper.
  
• Cut out all the strips. You’re going to want 26 strips total – 25 rings for the countdown and then one for the head.
  
• Use a stapler to turn 24 of the paper strips into rings, attaching them in a row. Staple the 25th ring but don’t attach it, and leave the 26th paper strip alone.
  
• Draw out your embellishments (like antlers or a hat) directly onto the craft foam. Then cut out using the scissors.
  
• Add fun embellishments to the craft foam with glue, like ribbon and a mini wreath.
  
• To the lone rings, add your embellishments with craft glue (the hat, the antlers, the noses, etc.). Let them dry. Then attach them to the main ring chain with the last paper strip.
  
• Hang your chains on the wall near your tree or in a place where the kids can reach. You'll use scissors to cut off one of the rings every single day from December 1st through Christmas morning.
  

Video

If you love this Christmas countdown chain, let me know in the comments! I’d also love for you to check out these other related kids 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