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We are counting down the days to Christmas – literally! Growing up, I used to love to create paper chains to countdown to Christmas or other important holidays and events. Now I make countdown chains with my kids in order to build excitement for upcoming events. Plus, I find that countdown chains support the development of a number of important skills!
As part of my Christmas activities for kids series, I’m sharing our countdown to Christmas paper chain activity.
We previously did a paper chain countdown to Halloween. I found that our paper chain countdown gave my kids the opportunity to practice so many skills. My kids also looked forward to tearing off the chain each day. S when I brought up the idea of doing another one for Christmas, my kids were totally on board.
They started by cutting red and green strips of paper. (Way to work on those fine motor skills!)
I numbered the strips, and the kids worked together to assemble the chain. They had to put the strips on in the correct number order. They worked on patterning as we alternated red and green strips.
They also practiced teamwork, as they took turns putting each strip on the chain and taping it down.
As they added more and more chains, my kids kept exclaiming at how tell the chain was getting. They were really excited when they noticed the chain was taller than them!
After all 25 chains were assembled, we counted them all.
In our household, we do a brief calendar time every day at breakfast. The kids will tear the paper chains off during our calendar time. When they do, we look at each number and then find the matching number on our calendar. This continues to reinforce number knowledge. It also teaches the kids a bit more about how calendars work.
How are you counting down the days until Christmas?
More Christmas resources
More Christmas posts from Gift of Curiosity:
- Grow a Christmas tree sponge
- Christmas Montessori activities
- Q-tip painted Christmas tree
- Paper plate reindeer craft
- Christmas sensory bin
- Cinnamon Christmas ornaments
- Candy cane experiment
- Christmas game: What’s in the bag?
- Christmas Printables Pack
- Christmas Bingo
- Christmas do-a-dot printables
- Christmas gingerbread man templates
For more Christmas activities your kids will love, see my Christmas Activities for Kids page and my Christmas Activities for Kids Pinterest board.
Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Christmas Activities for Kids on Pinterest.
