Halloween Countdown Calendar

I have been slightly obsessed with counting down to Halloween in the past few years! As kids, we never did this. In fact, Halloween wasn’t a thing growing up in the 80s-90s in the UK.

If you head to any department store close to Halloween, you will find loads you can buy. But that’s boring, and as a mum obsessed with crafting, I just had to make a new one for this year!

Take a peek at my Pinterest account, and you will notice a pastel Halloween board. I am totally in love with the cuteness. Something I never thought I would be into, to be honest. I believe it is my eldest daughter’s influence, with her love of pink and pastels (she recently dyed her hair pink!). Either way, I am embracing a bit of pastel love into my life.

There are only a few months before October 1st, so it’s time to get your countdown ready, or at least think about it. Last year I created a Halloween envelope activity countdown and filled it with fun things for the family to do in the build-up to Halloween. We are all so busy this year, so I have opted for a simple paper chain style countdown. I may decide to throw in some activities later on if I think we will have time. I did plan ahead and made an editable page for anyone who wants to include some activities.

Don’t you love these cute characters? The soft pastel colours are something a little different; I’m a convert. If you want something more traditional, take a look at my Halloween countdown envelopes from last year.

I have included a larger printables of the characters. Use them to decorate around the paper chain. Perhaps you want to make a larger chain? You’ll find a blank chain in the kit; print out and use it to make more chains to decorate your home.

MATERIALS FOR YOUR HALLOWEEN CALENDAR

• Printer paper – bright white is best.
• The Printable Halloween calendar.
• Scissors or paper cutter.
• Glue or Stapler.

Printing your Halloween calendar onto bright white paper will give you the best results. Some cheaper copy paper is a little grey, so your printout will be dull. That being said, my kids never notice if the print is a little dull, and my hubby definitely never notices, haha. 

Halloween is definitely one of my favourite holidays to make crafts for, with Christmas being right up there alongside the spooky season. If you are anything like me, you are going to love getting your DIY fix on right now!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Download your printable Halloween countdown kit.
2. If you want to add activities, you can use the blank editable page or handwrite on the reverse of each chain link.
3. Fire up and printer and print out your calendar.
4. Cut out each of the strips.
5. Glue, tape or staple the chain links. Continue attaching each strip to the chain, repeating until you have a completed paper chain!
6. Set up in pride of place in your home, sit back and enjoy your handiwork. 

Making the calendar is super simple and is an excellent craft you can create with the little’uns in your family. You can even get them to include their own fun ideas and have them write on the reverse of each strip or use the editable paper chain in the kit.  

IDEAS FOR YOUR PAPER CHAIN STRIPS

• Bake Halloween cookies
• Have a hot chocolate
• Go to a pumpkin patch
• Watch a Halloween movie
• Learn the Thriller dance
• Decorate a Halloween Tree
• Build a spooky gingerbread house
• Make a Halloween playlist
• Have a game night
• Go out to buy Halloween candy.

Instead of writing activities on each strip, you could have a Halloween joke. Or keep it as a regular countdown. Once you’ve completed your Halloween paper chain calendar, you can hang it up with pride in your home. On October 1st, cut the first ring off. Remember to cut off a ring each day throughout October until Halloween.

Other Halloween Activities

Looking for some more Halloween fun. Take a look at some of my other fun Halloween ideas. I’m positive you’ll find something to make your Halloween that little bit more special. I highly recommend you take a look at my witch escape room game. I’m a sucker for these kinds of activities though so I may be a smidge biased. Give it a go.

• Witch Escape Room
• Halloween Secret Code Treasure Hunt
• FREE Halloween Photobooth Props
• FREE Halloween Meringue Ghost Treat Snowglobe Template
• FREE Halloween Envelope Countdown

Grab your Free Halloween Countdown

I hope you jump on in and grab this paper chain Halloween calendar, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram or share them with me on Facebook. I can’t wait to see your creative Halloween calendars!

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