Free Printable Christmas Countdown Paper Chain
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Counting down to Christmas is one of the most exciting parts of the holiday season, especially for kids! If your little ones are constantly asking, “How many days until Christmas?” this free printable Christmas countdown paper chain is such a fun way to help them keep track!
This colorful Christmas paper chain is an easy holiday craft that doubles as a countdown calendar. Each day, kids get to remove one paper link as they get closer and closer to Christmas morning!
With adorable Christmas designs, bright festive colors, and 30 numbered countdown links, this printable is a simple way to add a little extra Christmas magic to your home.
Best of all, it’s completely free to download and easy to put together with just a few basic supplies!
Free Printable Christmas Countdown Paper Chain
I love simple Christmas activities that don’t require a ton of preparation, and this printable Christmas paper chain is perfect for that!
Instead of making a traditional construction paper chain and writing the numbers yourself, you can print these festive strips and have everything ready to go.
Our Christmas countdown printable includes:
- 30 numbered countdown strips featuring the number of days left until Christmas.
- Cute Christmas illustrations, including Santa, snowmen, Christmas trees, stockings, ornaments, and more.
- Bright, festive colors like red, green, pink, and turquoise.
- Coordinating patterned paper strips to add even more color and decoration to your Christmas chain.
The numbered strips make it easy for kids (or adults!) to see exactly how many days are left until Christmas, and the patterned links make the finished chain extra festive!
Supplies You’ll Need
You only need a few simple supplies to put together your Christmas countdown chain.
- Our free printable Christmas paper chain PDF
- Printer
- White cardstock (recommended)
- Scissors
- Glue stick or tape
- Stapler (optional)
Printing tip: I recommend printing these pages on cardstock for best results. The thicker paper will help your chain hold its shape and make it a little sturdier for hanging.
How to Make a Christmas Countdown Paper Chain
Putting together your printable Christmas countdown chain is super easy, and it’s a fun activity to do with the kids!
Step 1: Download and Print Your Christmas Countdown
Start by downloading the free Christmas countdown paper chain printable below.
Print the numbered countdown pages and the coordinating patterned strips. You can use all 30 numbered links or start with the number of days remaining until Christmas.
Step 2: Cut Out the Paper Strips
Carefully cut along the edges of each paper strip.
Younger kids may need a little help with this step, but older children can practice their cutting skills and help prepare the chain.
Step 3: Assemble Your Christmas Paper Chain
Take your first strip and bring the ends together to form a loop. Secure the ends using tape, glue, or a staple.
Thread the next strip through the first loop before securing it to create another link.
Continue connecting your paper strips until you’ve made your Christmas countdown chain.
For an extra colorful chain, alternate your numbered countdown strips with the coordinating patterned strips included in the printable.
Tip: Make sure your numbered strips are arranged so that the largest number is the first link you’ll remove, working your way down to one day left until Christmas!
Step 4: Hang Your Christmas Countdown Chain
Once your chain is assembled, find a fun place to display it!
You can hang your Christmas paper chain:
- Along a mantel
- On a bedroom wall
- Across a doorway
- Near your Christmas tree
- In a classroom
- Along a bookshelf or holiday display
Choose somewhere your kids can easily see it each day.
Step 5: Remove One Link Each Day
Now comes the fun part!
Every day, have your kids remove the next numbered link from the chain.
As Christmas gets closer, the chain gets shorter and shorter!
It’s such a simple tradition, but kids will love watching their countdown shrink as Christmas morning approaches.
When Should You Start Your Christmas Paper Chain Countdown?
Since this printable includes 30 numbered countdown links, you can begin your countdown on November 25th if you want to use all 30 numbered strips.
However, you don’t have to start that early!
If you’d rather begin on December 1st, simply start with the strip that says 24 Days Left Until Christmas and work your way down.
You can also start your countdown at any point during December. Just choose the strip that matches the number of days remaining until Christmas.
This makes the printable flexible enough to work for your family’s holiday schedule!
Fun Ways to Use Your Christmas Countdown Chain
There are so many ways to make this simple Christmas paper chain part of your family’s holiday traditions.
Make It a Christmas Morning Routine
Let your kids remove a link each morning when they wake up. It’s a fun way to start the day and build excitement for Christmas!
Add a Daily Christmas Activity
Pair your countdown with a simple holiday activity each day.
You could decorate Christmas cookies, watch a Christmas movie, make hot chocolate, drive around to see Christmas lights, or read a favorite Christmas book.
You could even write an activity on the back of each numbered strip before assembling the chain!
Use It as a Classroom Christmas Countdown
This printable also makes a fun classroom activity for teachers!
Hang the chain somewhere students can see it, and let a different child remove a link each school day. Just remember to account for weekends and school breaks if you’re counting calendar days.
Make a Christmas Countdown for Each Child
If you have multiple kids, print a separate countdown for each one!
They can each make their own Christmas paper chain and hang it in their bedroom or another special spot.
Download Your Free Printable Christmas Countdown Paper Chain
Ready to start counting down to Christmas?
Download our free printable Christmas countdown paper chain and make a fun holiday decoration your kids will love!
The printable includes 30 numbered Christmas countdown strips and coordinating patterned links to create your own colorful paper chain.
Simply download, print, cut, and assemble your chain to get started!
More Free Christmas Printables for Kids
If your family loves this Christmas countdown activity, be sure to check out these other fun Christmas printables from Planning Inspired!
- Christmas Placemat Printable for Kids – Keep little ones busy with fun Christmas activities during holiday dinners and family gatherings.
- Christmas 5 Seconds Game Printable – Bring some laughter to your holiday celebrations with this quick and easy Christmas party game.
- Christmas Checklist Printable – Keep track of all your holiday preparations so you can spend more time enjoying the season.
Make the Countdown to Christmas Extra Special
Sometimes the simplest Christmas traditions are the ones kids remember the most!
This printable Christmas countdown paper chain is an easy, budget-friendly way to build excitement for the holidays while spending a little quality time together.
Whether you start counting down 30 days before Christmas or wait until December 1st, your kids will love removing a link each day and watching Christmas get closer.
I hope this fun little Christmas craft becomes a favorite holiday tradition for your family!
