Paper Chain Decoration
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Description
Cut strips of colored paper, then work together to loop and tape them into a chain - each link added by your child, growing longer as you go. Hang the finished chain up as decoration.
What to prep
- colored_paper
- scissors
- tape
Play guide
- 1Cut paper into strips roughly 2cm wide and 15-20cm long. This is the parent's job; prepare 20-30 strips before starting so your child has plenty to work with.
- 2Show your child how to loop a strip into a circle and hold the ends together. You tape it closed.
- 3Thread the next strip through the first loop before taping it closed. Repeat.
- 4Let your child do the looping and holding; you do the taping. For older children (5+), they can tape independently.
- 5Keep going until the chain feels done. Hang it up somewhere visible.
Success signals
Your child loops strips and holds them for taping for at least 5 minutes without losing interest. The chain grows to at least 10 links. They show interest in how long it's getting and want to keep going.
If it's tricky
Loops keep slipping before they're taped: Have your child pinch the ends firmly while you tape quickly. Your child wants to do the cutting too: Give them blunt scissors and pre-scored paper so they can "finish" a cut you've started. The chain breaks: Reconnect the links - a break is easily fixed with tape, and showing this models problem-solving. Interest drops quickly: Count the links together as you go - turning it into a counting game extends the session.