Paper chains are an easy and uncluttered craft to make. You can hang paper chains as festive party decorations or make them just for fun. This is a safe, repeatable craft for both children and adults. Read this article to learn how to make a simple paper chain!
Step
Method 1 of 3: Cutting Paper
Step 1. Choose a paper type
The color and thickness of the paper will depend on the reason you are making the paper chain. Consider choosing colored paper that matches the theme of the upcoming celebration: red and green for Christmas; white and blue for winter; orange, black, and purple for Halloween; pink, blue, yellow, and pastel colors for Easter. You can buy colored cardboard or color it yourself.
- If there's no celebration in the near future, feel free to make plain white paper chains-or use a variety of natural colors. Create a pattern of alternating colors that complement or contrast.
- Do not use thick paper that is difficult to bend. Almost any cardboard can be used, but not paperboard that is thicker than that. Remember: the paper is not only bent, it must remain in a bent position!
- Try using special seasonal paper. For example, for Christmas, use gift wrapping paper.
Step 2. Make long strips of paper
Use a ruler and scissors to make several rectangular strips of paper. Each strip of paper will form a chain “ring”, so arrange it accordingly. Each new piece of paper must be the same size as the other paper. If you are cutting standard paper for a computer printer, try making it 2.5 cm wide and 21 cm long. In this way, a sheet of paper can produce 11 equal cuts.
- Try using a rotary cutter to get large pieces of paper. This tool can be used more quickly than scissors.
- The thicker and narrower the paper cut, the smaller the error. When in doubt, make sure the piece of paper is thinner and not wider.
Step 3. Consider making a “paper doll chain”
This craft is similar in size and model to a regular paper chain. However, a doll chain requires a series of paper “dolls”, each doll connected by hand. You'll need the same materials and they shouldn't be any longer than a regular paper chain– so study the options and decide what you're looking for.
Method 2 of 3: Creating a Chain
Step 1. Make the first “ring”
The materials needed are plaster, glue, or fasten the ends of each piece of paper with a stapler into rings. Try adjusting the sides so they are even. Plaster and stapler will speed up the process, but the glue will take longer because it needs to dry.
- If using glue, hold the edges of the paper until the glue dries. Make sure the edges of the paper are not skewed.
- You don't need to staple it more than once or glue more than one strip of tape to make a ring. Make sure the ring is strong and not torn.
Step 2. Add a second ring
When a strong ring is created, insert a long piece of paper into the center of the ring. Now, connect the ends of this second long piece of paper with tape, stapler, and so on. The edges of the two wide, flat rings should be parallel, but the rings should be at a 90-degree angle-like a chain!
Step 3. Keep adding the rings
Continue in the same pattern until the chain is the desired length. In theory, there is no limit to the length of the paper chain you can make, as long as you have enough paper, tape, and time. If you want to hang the chain somewhere, measure the length of the chain at that location every now and then to check if the chain is long enough.
Step 4. Connect the chain (optional)
You can leave the chain long and straight with a ring at each end or join the ends with a long piece of paper. To do this: wait until the number of rings in the chain reaches an odd number, then connect and glue the last long piece of paper on the two rings at the ends of the chain. Now: You have a large chain of paper rings.
If you try to glue a chain that has an even number of rings, the arrangement of the rings will not balance
Method 3 of 3: Decorating with Paper Chains
Step 1. Hang the paper chain on the wall or ceiling
If the chain is allowed to unravel, you can mount it in that location for fun. Hang the chain a little loosely so that it hangs in the middle. Try crossing one chain over another, alternating the colors, or even linking long chains together into very large chains.
If you're having a party, use waist- or chest-high paper chains to cover “private areas” like stairs, entryways, or backyards. Paper may not be a strong barrier, but it does serve as a gentle deterrent to naughty guests
Step 2. Decorate for the celebration
You can hang paper chains for birthdays, parties, or big celebrations. Match the colors of the chain with the theme of the party or with colors related to celebration. Be creative!
Step 3. Make a “flower necklace
If winter or Christmas is approaching, try making a faux garland using one or more paper chains. For a simple design: use green cardboard, then connect the last chain into a large circle. You can add small concentric green rings to fill the "flower necklace." For an added effect, make a “butterfly ribbon” out of red paper or string and tie it at the front of the necklace.
Hang garlands on doors, walls, fences, or trees. Paper garlands should be light and easy to stick with tape or tie
Step 4. Use the chain as a paper necklace
Tie a series of rings (preferably small ones) into a large ring that fits around your neck. For best results, make the rings rather small: no more than 1.2 cm wide and no more than 5 cm long. Here's an idea: connect a series of brightly colored rings into a “lei” – a traditional Hawaiian flower necklace. Try connecting a long chain consisting of a series of strong gold-colored rings into a “gold chain”–perhaps even two chains!
Tips
- Paper chains are made for festive children's birthday party decorations. Use it with paper tape and balloons to make the party extra special!
- Use different colored strips of paper to make chains of different colors.
- For a festive festive decoration, use patterned or glossy paper. Place a paper garland on a Christmas tree as an added accent or make a white paper chain that looks like snow!
- Make sure the long strips of paper are the same size, unless you want to vary the sizes for an artistic effect.
Warning
- Make sure the paper garland doesn't start a fire; do not hang directly over lamps, candles, or fireplaces.
- Be careful when using scissors or a stapler, especially if you work with children.
