Advent calendars are such a fun way for kids to countdown to Christmas and build their excitement! No reason that a little learning can't come along for the ride. momstown's got a great way for kids of all ages to participate in the countdown, with our paper-chain advent calendar!

 

advent chain

What you need:

  • Construction paper (red and green)
  • Glue or stapler
  • Scissors

advent chainThe idea behind this is that for every day leading up to Christmas, you add to the paper chain. (OR you can make it ahead and have the kids rip off a chain each day for the countdown) If you alternate red and green you can practice patterning skills!

 

Cut strips of paper out long enough to be able to loop over and either glue or staple to make a link. Write (or have your child write) the number 1 on the first link.

 

Each day, add another link to the chain with the corresponding date number.advent chain

 

 

 

It will grow longer and longer as you go from December 1 to 25!

 

Alternatively, you can make and hang the whole chain with 25 numbers, and remove one each day so that the chain gets shorter as you count down.


Find a festive spot to hang your chain - you can have a few chains (one for each child) and hang them over a door, strung along a window - or wherever helps decorate the house for the holidays!

 

Here's a cute rhyme to go along with the chain:

 

How many days till christmas?

It seems a long, long spell,

But with this little chain

There's an easy way to tell

Each morning from the bottom,

one link take away,

and when there's only one link left,

It will be...................CHRISTMAS DAY!


 

momstown's got a few other advent ideas for you:

Turn baby socks into an advent calendar

Wrap up books for advent storytime

Posted by Teacher Mom on 11/24/2011 - 19:49
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