Birthday Countdown Paper Chain

Celebrating birthdays is a joyful tradition that builds anticipation for the special day. This paper chain craft will offer your child a delightful project to involve the entire family in counting down to the much-awaited celebration! This creative activity is not limited to birthday countdowns; it can also be utilised for any upcoming family outing or event by selecting a date to mark on the calendar and witnessing your child's enthusiasm flourish!

What you'll need:

- Coloured Paper / Card

- Scissors

- Tape or Glue Stick

- Coloured Pens

(Optional - Decorations)

Step 1:

Select the date of your event and calculate the total number of days on a calendar until event day.

This exercise presents an excellent opportunity for young children to not only enhance their counting skills but also to practice reciting the days of the week in order. It can be a fun and interactive way for kids to engage with the concept of time and calendars, fostering their understanding of how days are organised and counted leading up to a special event.

Step 2:

To create a vibrant chain, start by rotating your paper vertically. Next, grab a ruler and pencil to carefully measure and draw 1-inch strips on a sheet of construction paper. Once you have completed this step, it's time to cut out the strips. Make sure to cut the same number of strips as the number of days remaining until your special event. For an extra touch of creativity, consider using a variety of colours to make your chain truly eye-catching and colourful!

Step 3:

Begin by writing the number "1" in the centre of the first strip of paper. Continue this process, numbering each day in order, until you reach the final numbered day. It's important to plan ahead if you intend to use multiple colours, ensuring that you lay out your desired pattern before you start writing. Additionally, don't forget to incorporate some cool patterns on each strip to make them visually appealing and unique. We like to also write a question on the inside of each strip to ask the special person each time they take a strip off. This is a great way to hear about their ideas and get to them better.

Step 4:

Begin by attaching each paper strip in order, starting with number "1", using either tape or a glue stick. This will create a visually appealing and lengthy chain that can be customised to your liking. To add a personal touch, consider writing a meaningful quote or drawing a  picture on a separate piece of paper that will be fastened to the top of the chain. This could be something like "Countdown to My Special Day!" Use tape to securely attach the chain to this paper, and then let your child decide where they would like to proudly display it.

Step 5:

Once you finish the project, begin by removing a single link from the chain at the base the following day (for instance, you would eliminate day 10). Remove one link from the chain each day.