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Paper Chain Advent Calendar

Math & Sciences

3–5 years

Countdown the days! This activity will help develop your child’s fine-motor skills and generate enthusiasm for the festivities to come.

Materials

  • Coloured construction paper (feel free to adapt and customize colours to express your special day)
  • Pen or pencil
  • Marker pen
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Stapler
  • Sticky tape

Set-up

  1. Discuss with your child, how many days ahead you would like to count down to your special day.
  2. Create a link for each day you would like to countdown by tracing and cutting 2″ wide strips (lengthwise) of construction paper.
  3. Decide what special shape best represents your special day. This will be at the top of your calendar.
  4. Write a special message to your child behind the special shape. This will be the surprise your child receives once they reach the end of the countdown.
  5. Use your stapler to turn the paper strips into closed links; interlocking each link to create a chain.

 

Let the countdown begin

  1. Ensure your calendar is positioned at a reasonable height, this will make it easier for your child to remove the higher links.
  2. Remove one link each day. You can tear the link by hand or cut using scissors.
  3. When you reach your special day, remove the final link with the advent calendar topper to reveal the hidden message on the back.

 

At Learning Jungle, we believe all children are capable, confident and full of potential. Co-learning empowers your child to take initiative. Encouraging child participation and engaging in open-ended, thought-provoking conversation throughout play is important for healthy child development.

Fun Fact

The first known advent calendar was made in Germany in 1851 to allow children to countdown the days until Christmas.

Conversations with your child

  • Would you like to help cut out the links?
  • Where should we hang your calendar?
  • Can you remove today’s link?
  • How many more days until our special day?
  • Can you guess what the special message is?

We would love to meet you

We currently have 51 locations in 5 countries. Our child care facilities offer tours throughout the year.
We invite you to visit a location near you.