Paper chains are a fun and easy decoration for students to make. This activity is perfect for adding some fun fall and festive decor to your classroom or for students to create and bring home to decorate their own houses!
Students can create Thanksgiving-themed paper chains using any of the fun imagery on Storyboard That. Textables, scenes, and characters can also be used to make stories within the chains. Use the filters for cool effects, like removing color or greyscale, and have students color in the images! There's so many options to customize this project that it's sure to be a fun activity for your students.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Plan a class-wide paper chain display by assigning each student or group a section of chain to design. Collaboration encourages teamwork and helps students feel ownership of the classroom decor.
Explain the theme, size, and materials to use for each chain link. Clear expectations help students stay focused and produce cohesive decorations.
Give each group a specific Thanksgiving symbol or tradition to illustrate on their links, such as turkeys, gratitude, or autumn leaves. This ensures variety and sparks creativity.
After each group finishes, connect all the chains to create one long collaborative decoration. Display it prominently around the classroom door, windows, or bulletin board for everyone to enjoy.
Invite students to share their design choices and what they learned about Thanksgiving. This reflection builds community and reinforces the meaning behind the activity.
Making Thanksgiving paper chains is easy: have students select festive images or patterns, print or decorate strips of paper, and loop them together to form a chain. For added creativity, use themed imagery or let students color their own designs before linking them together.
You'll need colored or white paper, scissors, glue or tape, and markers or crayons. For themed chains, print images from resources like Storyboard That, or let students draw their own Thanksgiving designs.
For younger students, use pre-printed images and simple assembly. For older students, encourage them to design their own strips with stories, messages, or more detailed art before creating the chains.
Try using textables, scenes, or characters to tell a Thanksgiving story across the chain, write messages of gratitude on each link, or experiment with filters like greyscale for a coloring activity.
Paper chain crafts are quick, low-prep, and encourage creative expression. They foster collaboration, fine motor skills, and let students personalize their classroom with festive, hands-on decor.