Paper Chain Christmas Countdown Craft

Remember the fun of the Christmas holidays in school? I hope you have as many fond memories as I have. One of my favorite things to do was to make paper chains (okay, so I was born before cable TV and video games). Here is a Christmas craft that keeps kids busy, productive plus practices many different skills from tracing, measuring, cutting, writing, reading and inventing.

Using one sheet of red and one of green colored construction paper,

Measure and mark off each half inch along the length of both edges of both papers
Cut strips.
On an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet, you should get 17 strips from each one for a total of 34.
Alternate strips of color to make a pattern to teach counting by (2's, 3's, 4's or whatever your student needs to practice). For example, let's say your child is
learning her 4's times tables. Make a chain pattern with 3 green and one red. Every read is a multiple of 4.
You will put one link on the chain for each day until Epiphany (January 6).
On each link, write a different activity for the child to do. See the different lists below for ideas.
Attach links to form chain.
Hang on tree and remove one link each day.
Read what it says and do it.

Silly List: (Here are some samples; let children invent some more).

Touch your tongue to your nose and sing Jingle Bells.
List all of Santa's reindeer alphabetically.
Close your eyes and find the tree by smell.
Sing Rudolph backwards.
See how many words you can make from the word 'Christmas'.
Do holiday puzzle from Christmas printables sites included.
Put a paper plate on your head and draw Santa.
Sing the 12 Days of Christmas.
Tell your funniest Christmas memory.
Tell about your best gift.
Tell the funniest gift you ever received or asked for (our oldest daughter asked for a wheelchair).
Play Christmas carol charades.
Make up Christmas carol riddles.
Say 'Merry Christmas' in another language.

Works of Mercy list (or Special Someone; put all names in classroom or family - mom and dad included, in a hat. Each person draws a name and has to do secret acts of that person until Christmas without them finding out who their Secret Santa is).

Write your SS a nice note.
Make their bed.
Slip your SS a little gift.
Do a job for your SS.
Pick up after your SS.
Leave your SS a treat.
Write a note telling three things you like about them.

Scavenger hunt List (these can get creative!)

Find a bell.
Find the word 'holiday.
Find three cookies.
Find a candle.
Find an ornament.
Find a reindeer.
Find a Santa hat.
Find 6 stars.
Find a wise man.
Find an angel.

This chain should help eager youngsters have some fun as well as giving them a visual to see 'how many more days'.