Paper Chain - How to Make a Paper Chain

Paper chains are fun and easy paper ornaments for children of all ages to make. This classic craft activity is often forgotten or overlooked. An easy to make paper chain is a great way decorate for special events or holidays. By tailoring your color choices to the event or holiday, you can have a perfectly themed decoration. This is a great craft activity to do as a family, and even young children can easily participate. Involving children in this project can help them develop their hand-eye coordination as they measure, draw lines and cut. It is also a great activity for pattern recognition. For many small children, making easy paper ornaments is the perfect way to introduce a ruler and scissors to them.

Supplies Needed to Make Paper Chain Decorations
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• 9" X 12" Construction Paper
• 12 inch Ruler
• Scissors
• Pencil or pen
• Glue stick, craft glue or stapler and staples
• Markers or crayons(optional)
• Glue (optional)
• Sequins, Buttons, Beads, Confetti, Glitter glue (optional)

Paper Chain - How To Make Paper Chain - The Instructions!

Paper Chain - How To Prepare Your Strips

1. First, decide how wide you want your paper chain links to be. You will want to measure out your paper strips to this width. One inch is a good width. It is large enough for small hands to handle, and small enough to easily link the loops. Adjust the size to fit your tastes and project.
2. Measure your strips along the long side of the construction paper, so that the strips are each 12 inches long. Mark the bottom and top of your paper at your measured width, and then use the ruler to draw a straight line the length of the paper.
3. Repeat this measuring process for the entire width of the paper, using the line you just drew as your new edge. Continue until you have enough strips or have reached the end of your paper.
4. Cut along the lines you have drawn to create your strips. Even small children can be a part of this cutting activity. Be sure to provide them with blunt tip scissors, and supervise them as they cut.
5. Repeat this process to create more strips, or to make strips of a different color.

Paper Chain - How To Tips For Decorating Your Strips

• Decorate your strips however you would like.
• Remember that you will be covering about 1/2 inch of the end of each strip when assembling the links.
• If you decide to use glue to add decorations, or glitter glue, you will need to allow time for the strips to dry before assembling your chain.

Paper Chain - How To Assemble Your Paper Chain

1. Create your first link by overlapping the ends of a paper strip so that it forms a circle. Make sure the decorated side is facing out. Use glue, tape, or staples to affix it in this position.
2. To link the chain together, assemble the next link by running the next paper strip through the first link. Form this strip into a circle with thte decorated side facing out. Secure in the same manner as the first.
3. Repeat this procedure until your paper chain is the desired length.

Paper Chain - How To Tips & Suggestions

• When using two colors, alternate them to create the most appealing chain.
• Use several different colors and create a pattern for your child to reproduce.
• To calculate how many links your chain will need, assemble five or six links and measure the length they create. Calculate how many times this length will need to be used to cover your desired space, and mulitply by how many links are in your original lenngth.
• A finished paper chain is perfect to wrap around a banister or over a door frame. It can also be wrapped around a tree (such as a Christmas tree).
• Another creative use for your paper chain is as a replacement for streamers.

Paper Chain - How To Tailor Your Colors

• Try Red and White for a Valentine's Day chain.
• Green, Orange, and Yellow are a great combination to make a spring chain!
• Pastel colors are perfect for Easter.
• Use Mom's favorite color(s) for Mother's Day.
• Use your school's colors for end of year celebrations, or school sporting events.
• Use Dad's favorite color(s) for Father's Day.
• Red, White and Blue make a great 4th of July or Memorial Day chain!
• Red, Orange, and Yellow are a great Fall theme.
• Orange and Black are classic for Halloween.
• Brown, Orange, and Yellow are perfect for Thanksgiving.
• Red and Green are the classic combination for Christmas.
• Try a Blue and White (Silver) chain for an alternate Christmas or winter idea.
• A Rainbow theme is great for birthdays.
• Pastel Pink and Blue are perfect for baby showers.

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