First, gather your supplies.

Cut the printable along the dotted lines to create 20 strips of paper.

Find the strip of paper that says "1." Glue or tape the ends together to form a link. (Make sure the illustration is on the outside.)

Thread the strip of paper that says "2" through the link that says "1" to form a chain.

Then thread "3" through "2," and so on and so forth! (As an alternative option, you can also string the strips along some yarn to create a banner.)

20 days before the start of school, start tearing off one paper link for every day that passes. First tear off  "20" then count down from there.

Each day's link features a word that will inspire your child to get creative. So go on, "play," "ponder," and "build" together during your countdown to the Big Day!