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Paper Chain Countdown to Christmas

Age: 3–5 years · Time: 45 min (or split into two sessions) · Level: Easy

The chain has 24 rings – one for each day from December 1 to Christmas Eve. Kids also practice the numbers 1–24.

Materials

• red, green and white paper
• ruler and pencil
• child-safe scissors with rounded tips
• glue stick or tape
• marker

Steps

1. An adult draws 24 strips, 2 cm (about 3/4 inch) wide and 15 cm (6 inches) long. The child can cut with the child-safe scissors.
2. Write the numbers 1 to 24 on the strips, one number on each. An adult can help.
3. Bend the strip with the number 24 into a ring and glue the ends together.
4. Thread the strip with the number 23 through the ring and glue it shut.
5. Keep going down in number order until the strip with the number 1 is at the bottom.
6. Hang up the chain. Starting on December 1, tear off one ring each day, beginning with ring 1.