How to Make a Paper People Chain

Co-authored by Nicole Bolin

Last Updated: May 4, 2023 Fact Checked

Craft time can be fun and easy. It's a great chance to bring everyone together to be imaginative. And on top of that, paper people chains are sure to brighten up any room they're hung in! With a few supplies and simple steps, creating this decorative craft can be a fun time for the classroom or the family.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Creating a One-Figured Chain

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Cut the paper as wide as you want; a wider strip means both more drawing surface and a bigger figure to draw. If you wish to be really precise, try folding the paper and then cutting the strips on the creases. If you have a ruler, you can measure to be exact.
2
Fold the paper accordion-style to make a rectangle. Make the folds as even as possible.^{[1]
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- A good trick is to first fold the strip in half multiple times. When the desired rectangle size is met, unfold the paper. Using the creases made from the folding, fold it accordion-style.
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For this step, you can draw it free-hand or use a stencil. Draw the person with the head, feet, and hands touching all the edges.^{[2]
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4
Cut out the person. As you cut, you can trim out any imperfections from the drawing. Cut carefully in order to keep the chain intact.
- If you do not want to cut with scissors, you can use an Exacto knife to cut paper.
The chain of people should be holding hands.
6
Work with the finished product. Paper-people chains are neat in and of themselves, but with some markers, crayons, or color pencils, you can draw details on the people. Be creative and pick themes, draw different clothing, add stickers, or glue some glitter.
- If you are putting it on a bulletin board, be careful about the thickness of the corkboard.
- Ensure that the thumbtacks do not go through the board and into the wall.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating a Multi-Figure Chain

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The strip can be wider than the first method because you'll need more drawing surface.
2
Fold the paper accordion-style into a rectangle. Make the folds as even as possible.
- A good trick is to first fold the strip in half multiple times. When the desired rectangle size is met, unfold the paper. Using the creases made from the folding, fold it accordion-style.
3
Draw half a person on one edge of the rectangle. The person's torso and head will be on the edge. The arm will extend out to exactly the middle of the paper. Be sure to be precise. You can use a ruler to measure the middle and draw a line, or use a stencil.
- The drawing will be the main difference for this type of paper-people chain; it'll allow more creativity be giving you the option to use more than one figure for the chain.
4
Draw the second person on the opposite edge. The second person can be different. Try drawing a girl with a dress. Her head and torso will be on the edge. Her arm will extend out to the middle with her hand meeting the other person's. The hands must be touching.
- You can be a bit creative with where the hands meet. The hands can hold different symmetrical figures such as a heart, a star, a small child, etc.
As you trim out the people, make sure the hands stay connected.
6
Unfold to reveal a boy and a girl holding hands. The chain should be boy-girl, boy-girl.
- This approach gives you the chance to mix different figures and explore the space on the rectangle. As long as the figures you draw connect, the final product will be a unique chain.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a Circle Chain

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1
Draw and cut a large circle in the middle of the paper. Place a bowl with its rim down on the middle of the paper. Trace it lightly with a pencil, and cut out the circle as perfectly as possible.^{[3]
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- The bigger the circle, the better. The final product will be like a wreath of people.
You want to create a symmetrical isosceles triangle with the small side rounded. It will roughly resemble a perfect slice of pizza.
You can draw half a person on both edges of the triangles with their hands holding in the middle, or you can draw a person in the middle of the triangle with the person's hands touching the edges.
As you cut, you can trim out any imperfections from the drawing. Cut carefully in order to keep the chain intact.
A circle of paper people should be holding hands.
The benefit of this style is that the chain can stand on its own. The circle chain lends itself for Christmas decorating because it not only resembles a wreath but also a mini tree when it stands. With some creativity, you can create unique and wonderful paper-people circle chains for any occasion.

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Question

How do I make a girl and a boy together without the boy coming out with a bumpy head?

Community Answer

Cut it clean, and crease it less.

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What material can I use to make my paper chain waterproof?

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Cover it in plastic or use transparent tape like and cover it in that too. You can also laminate your chain.

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Question

How do I cut out the #40? I want to make a 40 chain for a birthday.

Community Answer

One four chain and a smaller zero chain inside, or make the middle end of the four touch the zero, same as Method Three.

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The number of people in the paper chain depends on the length of the paper: the longer the paper, the more people.

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These can be used as a no-mess, easy craft at your child's next birthday party.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Try out different paper weights to find the one you like best. Sturdier paper will hold up better as a finished product, but is more difficult to cut. Lighter paper can make cutting out big chains easier, but is more likely to rip.
Draw on faces, hair, and clothes after you’re done to give your people more character.
You can make chains of any symmetrical design with this process, like hearts or stars.

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Warnings

Do not cut all of the folded edges away. Leave at least a quarter of an inch so that the people remain attached to each other in a chain. If you do not do this, you will end up with a lot of small individual paper people instead of a chain.

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If your child is going to make this on his or her own, make sure he or she uses child-safe scissors. Other types could slip and cut your child whilst they cut.

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