Summer is almost here and with it the chorus of "I'm bored" gets louder and louder.  But when it's 102 degrees outside "go out and play" just doesn't always work.

Well, we have the mother of all Boredom Busters to help you out -- have your kids join the "Chain Gang".  Remember making paper chains as a child?  What about gum wrapper chains in elementary school?  Whatever the chain, you'll find this activity will keep your kids occupied for hours at a time.

Below we've supplied you with chain making projects for all different ages and stages.  Once they've started, you'll find they'll be begging you to get them back on the Chain Gang.  



Babies
LINKS

These Lively Links from Sassy were by far my kids' favorite toy when they were both babies.  The links come off. The links go on.  Shake the links.  Teethe on the links.  Throw the links.  Each link is textured for a different tactile experience.  Great to attach to stroller, car seat or high chair.  


Toddlers
SNAP-LOCK® BEADS

Snap them together and pull them apart -- over and over again! Toddlers love these brightly-colored beads, creating chains and necklaces which they proudly wear around the house.  You'll need at least 2 sets in order to have enough beads to make a necklace, but at $5 a set it's worth it.


Nursery Schoolers
PAPER CHAINS

Paper chains were a big thing when I was a kid.  According to my kids they still are. This Super Chain Strip set is filled with gummed strips which your child simply licks and then links together to create a chain.  Encourage your child to create a pattern and repeat it throughout the chain.  Great pre-math exercise.  Even older kids will love to get in on the fun.


Younger Elementary School Kids
PAPER CLIP CHAIN

Kids this age are really into "the tallest", "the biggest " and "the longest" type exercises and this really fits the bill.  Hand over a big bucket of paper clips and challenge them to make a chain that wraps around the living room, or the car or even the house!  Using colored paper clips will also encourage a little creativity in their chain.  Builds small motor skills as well.


Older Elementary School Kids
GUM WRAPPER CHAINS

As a kid, I spent hours sitting in my room folding and connecting gum wrappers to create a chain that eventually wrapped around the entire perimeter of my room.  Grouping the wrappers by colors or brands made for interesting designs and combining chains with friends created a special friendship bond.  Deciding whose house the chain would "live" at for the upcoming week was always a big decision (with visiting rights, of course).

It wasn't until after we went on this little nostalgic trip down memory lane that we realized that gum manufacturers have discontinued the outer paper wrappers  --  they only use foil.   So instead of gum wrappers, we discovered that you can use colorful Tootsie Roll® wrappers.  Use the flavored, as well as original Tootsie Roll®  wrappers to create a colorful chain (see photo below)!  Once your kids get started, you may have to keep them supplied with a steady stream of wrappers but these tasty treats can be easily found in bulk.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Cut or tear wrapper down center lengthwise (one wrapper creates 2 links for the chain.

2. Fold wrapper into thirds lengthwise  (see photo).

3. Fold ends in to meet in center.   Fold in half (see photo).  This completes one link.

4. Make second link with remaining half of wrapper.

5. Slide prongs of first wrapper into slots on prongs of second wrapper (see photo).

6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 to continue your chain.