Paper Chain Links Project to Help "Count Down" our Return from Japan

My husband and I are going on a Once on a Lifetime trip Overseas. I am having major anxiety at the idea of being away from my kids for two weeks. Especially considering I haven't been away from them longer then 1 to 2 nights!! So to help them cope with missing us we are making a "Count the Days" paper link chain.

We kept this project super simple, so we don't drag out the longing and missing that will be going on. We kept it positive and used the crafting time to talk about our feelings and the fun things they will be doing at grandmas house.

What you need:

-scrap paper, we used colorful construction paper
-kids scissors, one per child
-markers and crayons
-a ruler
-a pencil
-a glue stick

1. Mom used the ruler to draw out straight lines on the long side of the paper - roughly 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch wide pieces. Each child would get a piece and start cutting along the line. My 7 year old son showed me his "creative wave cuts" he learned in art class. The 4 year old cut the same wave lines, however unintentional.

2. Then my oldest and I wrote "messages" to each other and things as dictated by my younger son. They each colored "art" onto 1-2 strips as well.

3. Last we glued the paper strips into loops with the words facing out. Then I explained to the boys that Each day we are away from them they will rip off one loop and read the message.

4. ** *Little MATH BONUS * **
- We needed to count on the calendar how many links, or many days, mom and dad will be away.
- Then we started cutting the strips, and half way thru cutting, we guesstimated how many more we would need.
- I explained that after they rip off one link, they can count how many days are left until mom and dad return from their trip.
- Another math bonus is the kids started measuring the length of the chain compared to their height.

5. Then we estimated how many links it would take to get to their respective heights. It was a wonderful sidebar of learning.

6. What my kids don't know is I included a fun activity message in two of the strips to encourage they (and grandma) have some extra fun. One strip has a "nature scavenger hunt" (from Pinterest) activity paper clipped in and the other tells them to use there glow sticks that night.

Some of our messages/reminders to each other and include:

"I wonder if mom bought my Fan and Sumo Wrestler toy yet?"
"Baby girl, don't pull your brothers hair!"
"Mom, we love you!"
"Go on a Nature Scavenger Hunt! Mom included your checklist."
"We probably miss our Babcia and Ciocia at home, let's call them and see how they are doing."
"Mom and Dad Love you and Miss You Bunches! We can't wait to see you soon!"
"Go to the beach today. And if you did already/did that yesterday, then go eat ice cream instead."

7. we tool pictures along the way of our fun. A Surprisingly a wonderful coincidence, the Paper Chain is as tall as my young son.

I am certain we will all enjoy our time away from each other. And I will certainly enjoy returning home to my darling kids. In the meantime, I think this Paper Chain will keep them remembering a fun project with mom!

"The Days are Long, the Years are Short."