Many people tend to think of paper chains as a Christmas craft activity; however they can be made throughout the year and adapted to any theme that you like. paper chains tend to be very simple for children to assemble, and they are generally suitable for lots of age ranges and abilities. If you are planning to make paper chains with children, perhaps to create decorations for a party, it should be easy to find the craft supplies that you need. There are many craft kits which will include a variety of pre-glued paper strips that children can wet with a sponge or envelope moistener and stick together. Many paper chain kits will be festively themed, and you may find that lots of ready-to-make kits will contain strips decorated with festive motifs and themes.

If you want to make paper chains for another occasion, then you may need to buy decorated or coloured paper and cut out your own strips to glue or stick together. If you intend to do this, then it is important to find a template or measurements to help you cut out the strips. They will need to be long enough to create substantial hoops, and thick enough to support other hoops when they are linked together. Thin paper hoops can break easily, so checking measurements before you start cutting will ensure that your paper chains will be strong enough to hang up once they are completed. If you choose to make your own themed chains, then it is also worth considering how you will stick the paper together to form each hoop. Traditional PVA glue can take a while to dry, and it may get a little messy! Small pieces of tape can work well, as can paper clips. There are also some paper chains designs which allow each link to be fitted together with no need for glue; examples and templates of these can be found online, or you may prefer to buy a ready to assemble kit.

Personalising paper chains for any occasion is easy with the vast range of papers and decorations which are available. Coloured papers are always easy to find and if you fancy something a little different then you could choose a patterned or textured paper to make your links. There are even metallic and glittery papers available if you want to make your chains sparkle! Do also consider adding extra decorations to your chains once they are completed. For a summer beach party you could add paper shells and starfish, or a pink girly party may suit extra sequins and sparkles stuck on. You could also hang things from the links of your chain, such as small paper or plastic bats and spiders for a Halloween party! The options for personalisation are endless and there are lots of arts and crafts materials available to help you create bright, eye catching and personalised designs for any occasion. Always keep in mind the ages and abilities of the children who will be making decorations when choosing the craft supplies.