Find resources / Activities / Paper chains – Ngā mekameka pepa Activity

Why do it? — He aha e mahi ai?

Making paper chains means that tamariki can:

• have an opportunity to create decorations the whānau can enjoy
• make something that can contribute to whānau celebrations
• use and strengthen the fine motor skills used in drawing, cutting and stapling
• enjoy making something simple using everyday materials.

How to do it — Te tikanga mō tēnei mahi

• You’ll need some paper. Wrapping paper works well, so remember to save any from birthday or Christmas presents.
• You also need a ruler, pencils, a stapler or sticky tape and some child-safe scissors.
• If you’re using wrapping paper, turn it over and help your tamaiti to rule lines, marking strips about 1–2 cm wide.
• Help them to cut along the lines to make the strips.
• Measure and cut the strips into lengths of about 20 cm.
• Have a practise at using the stapler. Talk them through it by saying something like, ‘Press hard with two hands and listen for the “click”.’
• Remind them about using the stapler safely. Stapled fingers aren’t much fun.
• Now turn the strips into links by folding the strip into an overlapping loop. Put the stapler across the overlap and staple.
• If stapling isn’t suitable, use sticky tape to secure the chain links.
• Loop another strip of paper into the previous one and keep going like this to make a chain.
• Make the chain for as long as your tamaiti is happy to keep going.