Some paper projects are really just an excuse to play with one simple idea over and over again. This is one of them: fold a sheet, cut it into strips, glue each strip into a ring, and link the rings together. That is the whole technique, and once you have made two or three loops you will be turning out a chain without thinking about it.

The fun part is how quickly it scales. Two rings make a small hanging charm; twenty make a garland long enough to cross a window. Mix up the colours, or keep everything in one shade for something quieter. Do note that this is one of the few projects here that needs scissors and glue, which makes it a good one to do alongside a child rather than hand over completely.

STEP 1. Fold the origami paper in half along the dotted line.

STEP 2. Fold it in half along the dotted line again.

STEP 3. Fold it in half once more.

STEP 4. Open the paper out flat.

STEP 5. Cut along the creases with scissors.

STEP 6. Apply glue to one end of one strip and form it into a ring.

STEP 7. Thread the next strip through the first loop.

STEP 8. As with the first strip, apply glue to one end, form it into a ring and press the ends together.

STEP 9. Link as many rings as you like and the ring decoration is complete.