Easy Paper Rapunzel Hair Countdown Chain

One of the best parts of a Disney trip is the anticipation. My kids get SO excited for a Disney cruise, and I love to lean into that.

Sometimes it can be hard for a child to comprehend time and what a certain number of days, weeks, or months looks like. A countdown is such a great way to visualize it and build on the excitement!

I have seen these Rapunzel hair countdowns going around and I had to make one for our cruise next month.

They are so easy to make with a simple DIY paper chain - and such a great visible way for even the littlest of kids to understand the countdown!

Easy Paper Rapunzel Hair Countdown Chain

This paper chain countdown is so easy to make and so fun for kids!

Supplies needed:

• Picture of Rapunzel, printed
• Tape or magnets
• Yellow paper
• Scissors or paper slicer
• Stapler (easiest) or clear tape
• Optional: flower stickers OR colored paper to make flowers and glue tape or glue stick to attach

Note: I cannot share a download of a picture of Rapunzel here due to copyright law. But, you can use Google Images - search for Rapunzel "peeking out" if you like the leaning one, or any image you like! If you have Canva or a similar photo software, you can remove the background on the image before printing.

STEP 1: Prep your Rapunzel

The first thing that you need is a Rapunzel to hang on your wall. I already had this Rapunzel from when we have made magnets for our Disney cruise state room door. But, you can print any picture of Rapunzel that you like.

I recommend printing it on card stock. Then you can tape it to your wall.

If you want to reuse it on the door of a cruise state room, I recommend laminating it and adding magnets.

Be sure to read my guide on how to make door magnets for a Disney cruise!

STEP 2: Cut paper strips

Next you need to cut the strips to make your paper chain. I recommend yellow paper for Rapunzel's hair, though my kids went on a long discussion about how once you cut her hair it turns brown so it should really be brown. Ha ha ha!

I used regular 8 ½ x 11"construction paper and just pulled out the yellow sheets. I used a paper cutter, but you can also use a pair of scissors no problem.

I cut five strips from each sheet of paper. Repeat this until you have enough strips for the number of days until your vacation.

STEP 3: Create the chain

Now you're going to create the chain. Take your first strip of yellow paper and roll it into a loop. Use a stapler or clear tape to connect it.

Then take your next strip of paper, run it through the first loop, and staple to create another loop.

Repeat repeat repeat until you have a chain as long as the number of days until your trip.

STEP 4: Decorate

This is optional, but I decided to add some purple flowers to our chain just to jazz it up. Rapunzel often has flowers in her hair, so this is a great fit.

You could use flower stickers, but I just freehand cut some flowers out of scrap construction paper use glue, dots, glue, or tape to attach.

STEP 5: Hang

Now it is ready to hang! I just used clear tape to hang it to the door next to our Rapunzel head. Don't make it too complicated!

If your chain is very long, you might want to have it hanging in multiple spots so it doesn't drag on the floor.

STEP 6: Cut rings daily!

Now comes to the fun part – the countdown! Every day, your family can cut a ring off her hair and count to the trip.

My kids love a countdown, so this was such a hit with them. I hope it's a hit for your family too!