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Paper Chain Advent Calendar for Kids

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.

Make an EASY Paper Chain Kids Advent Calendar

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 kids advent calendar 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.

Paper chain advent calendar

One of the best things about this calendar 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!

Paper Chain Countdown

Gather These Supplies

Using a ruler and a pen to draw a line on a piece of brown construction paper

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.

Brown construction paper with lines drawn on it and a pair of orange handled scissors

Keep going until the whole paper is sectioned off. You’ll get about 8 – 9 strips per sheet of construction paper.

Cutting strips out of brown constructions paper

Cut out all the strips using your Fiskars Orange-handled Scissors. And speaking of scissors, did you know that Fiskars has sold 1 BILLION pairs of these since 1967? I think a big percentage of those must be my mom who always has her kids taking her scissors (ha)!

But seriously, these are my favorite scissors. They have such sharp blades (never get stuck) and the ergonomic grip fits my hand nicely. I’ve loved these since I was a child!

You’re going to want 26 strips total – 25 rings for the countdown and then one for the head.

Stapling a paper ring using a green stapler

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.

Cutting antlers out of craft foam using scissors

Draw out your embellishments (like antlers or a hat) directly onto the craft foam. Then cut out using the scissors.

The reason for the craft foam is so the embellishments stick up when you glue them to the paper chain. They provide dimension to the project – construction paper will just flop over!

Gluing a mini Christmas wreath onto a snowman hat cut out of craft foam

Add fun embellishments to your paper chain countdown if you want to, like ribbon and a mini wreath (I got that teenie weenie wreath from Michaels!).

Gluing antlers onto a paper chain kids advent calendar

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. Your kids advent calendar is complete!

Paper chain countdown for Christmas

Hang your paper chain countdown on the wall near your tree or in a place where the kids can reach.

Cutting the rings on a kids paper chain Christmas countdown using a pair of scissors

You’ll have them use their scissors to cut off one of the rings every single day! From December 1st through Christmas morning.

All that will be left is the head at the end, which you can save and use for the following year to make a new kids advent calendar!

Yield: 2 calendars

Paper Chain Advent Calendar

Children can assemble their own easy DIY holiday countdown using this kids advent calendar tutorial! Made from construction paper and candy free.

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

Prep Time 10 minutes
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Difficulty Easy

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

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Pen or pencil
  • Ruler
  • Stapler

Instructions

  1. On the construction paper, place the ruler parallel to the short side and trace down the right side of the ruler.
  2. Move the ruler over and place the left side on the pen line, then draw another line down the right side of the ruler.
  3. Keep going until the whole paper is sectioned off. You'll get about 8 - 9 strips per sheet of construction paper.
  4. Cut out all the strips. You're going to want 26 strips total - 25 rings for the countdown and then one for the head.
  5. 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.
  6. Draw out your embellishments (like antlers or a hat) directly onto the craft foam. Then cut out using the scissors.
  7. Add fun embellishments if you want to, like ribbon and a mini wreath.
  8. 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.
  9. Hang your chains on the wall near your tree or in a place where the kids can reach.
  10. You'll have them use their scissors to cut off one of the rings every single day from December 1st through Christmas morning.

Did You Make This Project?

Please leave a rating or share a photo on Pinterest!


If you love this Christmas paper chain countdown, 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:

Emma Jean Wike

Thursday 14th of December 2017

I use Fiskars orange-handled scissors all the time. I love them.

Leanne

Monday 11th of December 2017

Is it weird that I still love countdowns and paper chains. These are so cute!

linda

Friday 8th of December 2017

These are so, so cute! I ADORE Fiskars scissors!

Ginnie

Thursday 7th of December 2017

What a fun idea! This definitely brings me back to making these chains as a kid. :) Such a great alternative to a candy filled calendar!

Trish

Thursday 7th of December 2017

LOVE these! They are just so cute!

xo Trish

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