Colouring NestPrintable Countdown Paper Chains
Paper chains that count down to a big day: colour the numbered strips, cut them out, loop them into a chain and tear off one link a day. Each one prints on A4 or US Letter. Print on coloured paper or thin card for a sturdier chain.
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Christmas countdown chains
New Year's Eve
School holidays
Birthdays
Collections: Christmas Activity Sheets
How to use these pages
A paper chain countdown makes waiting easier to see: every link is one sleep, one school day or one hour, and the chain gets shorter until the big day. Children can colour the bubble numbers and pictures first, which turns the making into an activity of its own.
Each strip has a glue tab at one end. Loop the first strip into a ring and glue the tab, thread the next strip through it and glue that one, and keep going, with the highest number at the bottom so it comes off first. Tape works too, and is quicker with small children.
Starting late? Count the sleeps or days left and begin the chain with that number; recycle the strips you don't need. The Christmas activity chain has a small job on every link, from making a paper snowflake to hanging up a stocking.
Frequently asked questions
How long is each strip?
Printed at 100%, each strip is 17.2 cm long and 2.3 cm wide on A4, and 6½ in by ¾ in on US Letter, glue tab included.
When do I start the Christmas chain?
On 1 December: the top strip says "24 sleeps to Christmas" and the last one, on Christmas Eve, says "1 more sleep".
What paper works best?
Plain printer paper is fine. Coloured paper, or thin card (120–160 gsm), makes a brighter chain that lasts the month.
Is there a PDF to print?
Yes. Every page has free PDF downloads for US Letter and A4 paper, with the picture centered inside print-safe margins. Choose "Download PDF (Letter)" or "Download PDF (A4)" on the page and print at 100% (actual size).
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