Update to the Classic Paper Chain

I had some unexpected surgery last week. This has given me the gift of 4-8 weeks off of work and that much more time to spend with my kids at Christmastime.  Keeping a toddler and preschooler busy with the same project can be challenging - but I think I have found one that works!  Classic paper chains.  Who doesn't have great memories of creating these chains in elementary school?  I found that my kids love them and my 4 year old is very proud of his ability to create such a massive craft.

Here's our final product.  We did this craft 2 times yesterday, resulting in about 20 feet of chain. 

Age: 1 - 100
Time: 20 minutes +, depending on decoration and length of chain
Mess/Cleanup:  Not that bad.  We used all of the paper we cut up.  The paint was washable.

What You Need:

• Any type of paper (We just used a mix of office paper).  About 6 pieces.
• Dot Paint (I have ones similar to these.  Except my paint is also glittery).  Who can't resist glittery, fruit scented paint?  Not my toddler.  She applied it as lip stick.  Good thing it's washable!  And this paint is really easy to get off: teeth, lips, eyes, etc. It even gets out of clothes easily.
• Stapler
• Scissors
• Substitutions
• Any other decoration - glitter, stickers, paint, glitter-glue, pom-poms
• Tape instead of a stapler
• If you're looking to do something with old "art-work", use that as paper for the chain.  I think we'll probably do this again with colored-coloring book pages.

Why I like this Craft:
Both of my kids can do the craft at the same time.  I found out that my toddler LOVES dot paint.  I think she painted for a full 40 minutes.  This can also give me another craft to make out of the millions of pieces of "artwork" I have floating around my house.

Step 1:  Suit up the kids in smocks.  It just makes clean up easier. I have these cover all bibs from Ikea and this apron from Constructive Playthings.

Step 2: Cover a table with lots of paper.  We used 3 colors - orange, pink, and blue.  Bring out the dot paint or whatever you would like to do to decorate the chain paper to-be.  I think glueing some small pom-poms on the paper could make a cool chain. 

Even with a double ear infection, dot paint makes her smile!

I learned my lesson.  Anytime paint is introduced, a smock is really needed.

Step 3:  Let your little ones go wild on all of the paper.  6 pieces of paper will make a pretty decent length (maybe 6 feet) of chain.  This is the part where my toddler excelled.  She loved this!  She was also very upset when it was time to clean up.  This step makes this craft adaptable to the little ones.

The scented paint smelled so good!  And this paint dries rather quickly.

Step 4: Cut the paper into about 1-inch strips, using the short side of the paper.

Even a 4 year old can do this step!

Step 5: Make a loop out of the paper strip and staple to close the circle.  Continue interlocking strips to create a chain.  I think we all remember how to do this part.

Grandmom and Mom helped with this step.  But my preschooler loved using the stapler!

Enjoy!
-Rose @-}--