Manual activity can be easy and fun, an ideal opportunity to bring people together and broaden the imagination. And there is nothing more symbolic, to represent this coming together, than a chain of paper men. With a few tools and a few simple steps, reproducing this decorative chore can make you spend some fun time with the class or family.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Create a Single Figure Chain
Step 1. Cut a long strip of paper
The paper should be cut to the width you prefer: a wider stripe means both more space to draw and a larger figure to draw. If you want to be really precise, try folding the paper and then cutting the strips along the folds. With a ruler, however, you can measure to be more precise.
Step 2. Fold the sheet accordion to create a rectangle
The folds must be as even as possible.
A great trick is to first fold the paper in half several times. Once you have obtained the desired rectangular shape, unfold the sheet, then, taking advantage of the folds obtained previously, fold it like an accordion
Step 3. Draw the outline of a little man in the center of the rectangle
In this step you can choose whether to draw it freehand or with the help of a template. The figure must have the head, feet and hands, which must reach the edge.
Step 4. Cut the figure
In carrying out this step, you can file any imperfections in the design, but remember to cut carefully, to keep the chain intact.
Step 5. Unfold the sheet slowly
The little men in the chain should hold hands.
Step 6. Finish the work
The little men chains are perfect in their simplicity, but with the help of some felt-tip pen, wax or pencil you can draw details on people. Be creative and choose a style, design different clothes, add stickers or apply sequins.
Method 2 of 3: Create a Multiple Figure Chain
Step 1. Cut a long strip of paper
The strip may be wider than the one used in the first method, since you will need a larger surface to draw.
Step 2. Create a rectangle by folding the sheet like an accordion
You will need to get creases that are as even as possible.
The easiest way is to fold the sheet in half several times until you get the desired rectangular shape. Unfold the sheet and take advantage of the creases obtained previously to fold it like an accordion
Step 3. Draw half a person on one edge of the rectangle
The head and torso of the figure will have to be on the edge, while the arm will stretch until it reaches exactly the center of the sheet. Make sure you are precise: you can also measure the center of the rectangle with a ruler and draw a line on it, or use a stencil.
The main feature of the chains of paper men of this type lies in the design: it will give you the opportunity to be more creative, since this chain requires more than one figure
Step 4. Draw the second person on the opposite edge
The second person can be different - try to draw a female figure with a dress. The head and torso must be on the edge, while the arm will stretch towards the center, where the hand will meet that of the other figure. Hands must touch.
Also be a little creative in deciding where your hands will meet: they can also hold various symmetrical shapes, such as a heart, a star, a child …
Step 5. Cut the figures
As you model people, make sure your hands stay attached to each other.
Step 6. Unfold the paper and you will find a man and a woman holding hands
The sequence should be man, woman, man, woman.
This method will give you the opportunity to mix different figures and take advantage of the space of the rectangle. As long as the figures you have drawn are joined together, the final result will be a single chain
Method 3 of 3: Create a Circular Chain
Step 1. Draw and cut a large circle in the center of the paper
Place an inverted bowl in the center of the paper. Trace the outline with the pencil without pressing and cut the circle as precisely as possible.
The bigger the circle, the better the result: you will get a circle of people
Step 2. Fold the circle in half four times
You will need to create a symmetrical isosceles triangle with the short rounded side, just like a perfect slice of pizza.
Step 3. Draw a single person or multiple figures in the center of the triangle
You can draw half a person on either side of the triangle joined by the hand in the center, or you can draw a person in the center of the triangle with their hands touching the edges.
Step 4. Cut out the person
As you cut, you can correct any imperfections - the important thing is to keep the chain intact.
Step 5. Reopen the sheet
You should have obtained a circle of paper men holding hands.
Step 6. Decorate the chain
The advantage of this process is that the chain can stand up on its own. The circular chain lends itself as a Christmas decoration because it not only looks like a wreath but, once standing, also resembles a small tree. With a little creativity you will be able to create unique and beautiful chains of paper men, suitable for any occasion.
Advice
- The number of people in a chain depends on the length of the sheet - the longer it is, the more people you will get.
- Paper man chains can be a simple, non-messy chore that's great for your kid's next birthday party.
Warnings
- Do not cut all the folded edges. Leave at least 5 mm so that the men stick to each other in a chain. If you don't, you will only get a pile of individual paper men, instead of a chain.
- If your child wants to make a chain himself, make sure he uses age-appropriate scissors - other types of scissors may slip out of his hand and cut it.
