The Ultimate Guide To Sukkah Paper Chains That Won’t Turn Into Wet Linguine

5 DIY decoration ideas for people tired of peeling soggy construction paper off the schach

There are few universal Sukkot experiences quite like this one:

You spend an afternoon making beautiful paper chains.
Everyone’s proud.
The Sukkah looks festive.
The vibes are immaculate.

Then it rains once.

Suddenly your decorations look like they lost a fight with a garden hose.

For generations, Jews everywhere have participated in the sacred tradition of hanging paper chains in the Sukkah and then pretending not to notice when they slowly curl into damp sadness by Chol Hamoed.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

This year, we’re upgrading the classic Sukkah paper chain into something:

• More durable

• More weather-resistant

• Less “elementary school art bin”

• Still fun for kids

• Still charmingly homemade

Because honestly? The paper chain deserves a comeback.

First: Let’s Talk About the Problem

Paper chains were never designed for outdoor living.

The Sukkah, meanwhile, is:

• Outdoors

• Exposed to moisture

• Occasionally windy

• Somehow both humid and dusty at the same time

Classic construction paper enters this environment with the confidence of a main character and exits looking like overcooked pasta.

So the trick is simple:

Keep the charm. Lose the mush.

Option #1: The School Supply Glow-Up

Plastic Dividers Are Weirdly Perfect

You know those translucent binder dividers nobody uses after June?

Congratulations.
They’ve found their purpose.

Plastic dividers are honestly elite Sukkah decoration material because they’re:

• Flexible

• Water-friendly

• Lightweight

• Slightly translucent (which catches light beautifully)

And unlike construction paper, they don’t immediately surrender to humidity.

The thinner, cheaper dividers actually work better here because they drape more naturally. Which may be the first time in history the flimsy school supplies win.

Cut them into strips, loop them into chains, and suddenly your Sukkah has:

“Pinterest mom energy” without the Pinterest meltdown.

Folders, Bottles, and Other Things You Were About to Throw Out

Your Recycling Bin Is Basically a Craft Store

Plastic folders? Great.
Acetate sheets? Excellent.
Old soda bottles? Slightly chaotic but surprisingly effective.

If it’s:

• Flexible

• Wipeable

• Not absurdly stiff

…it can probably become a Sukkah chain.

You can even cut water bottles into rings if you’re committed to the cause. Though this does move the project into “crafting with determination” territory.

Still, there’s something deeply satisfying about decorations that survive rain and reduce clutter.

Very environmentally responsible. Very Jewish mother approved.

Foam Sheets: The Underrated MVP

Dramatic in the Wind, Stable in the Rain. 

Craft foam doesn’t get enough credit.

It:

• Moves beautifully in the breeze

• Doesn’t dissolve

• Holds color well

• Is easy for kids to handle

Will it absorb some moisture? Sure.

But unlike paper, it dries instead of emotionally collapsing.

The chains flutter around the Sukkah in a very cinematic way too. Suddenly your Sukkah feels less “temporary structure in the backyard” and more:

“rustic outdoor holiday installation.”

Which is basically the dream.

Felt: Surprisingly Tough for Something So Cozy

Looks Soft. Secretly Resilient.

At first glance, felt feels like a terrible idea.

“Isn’t that absorbent?”
Technically yes.

But cheap acrylic felt actually dries pretty quickly and holds up much better than expected outdoors.

The trick is using:

• Thin felt

• Sharp scissors

• Colors that work together

And please – for the love of aesthetics – lean into warm autumn tones.

Deep reds. Mustards. Forest greens. Orange. Cream.

Your Sukkah should feel:

• Cozy

• Warm

• Slightly magical

Not like the clearance aisle exploded.

“Can’t I Just Laminate Paper?”

Yes. But There’s a Catch.

Laminating artwork absolutely works…until water sneaks into one tiny opening and turns your masterpiece into soup.

So if you’re laminating:

• Cut first

• Laminate second

• Cut again carefully

And avoid trimming too close to the edges.

Also:

No staples through laminated paper.

That tiny hole becomes a water entrance faster than you can say “why is this squishy?”

Still, laminated watercolor artwork as paper chains? Gorgeous.

This is how you get:

• Handmade charm

• Real color variation

• Decorations that look genuinely artistic

Without sacrificing durability.

The Real Secret Is How You CONNECT Them

Because Tape From the Junk Drawer Is Not Enough

Here’s where most Sukkah chains fail:
Not the material.
The closure method.

You need connections that survive:

• Moisture

• Pulling

• Gravity

• Children “helping”

So let’s rank the options.

Double-Sided Tape

The Preschool-Friendly Hero

This is honestly the sweet spot.

An adult can prep the strips ahead of time with tape tabs, and kids can peel and stick independently.

Which means:

• Less frustration

• Faster crafting

• Fewer sticky fingers somehow glued together

It works especially well on smooth plastics.

Just press firmly so water can’t sneak underneath.

Packing Tape

Not Glamorous. Very Effective.

Regular tape is… optimistic.

Packing tape, though?
Now we’re talking.

Especially if your Sukkah is partially covered and you just need something durable enough to survive holiday weather instead of a monsoon.

It’s not elegant.
But neither is re-making decorations halfway through Yom Tov.

Staples

Ugly? Slightly. Reliable? Extremely.

A stapler is the Toyota Corolla of paper chain construction.

Not flashy.
But dependable.

It’s one of the strongest ways to secure loops  –  especially for heavier materials like felt or folders.

Downside:

• Not ideal for little kids

• Slightly visible

• Less polished look

Upside:

• Your chains remain attached to reality

Tradeoffs.

Hot Glue

The Adult Crafting Lane

Hot glue works brilliantly on porous materials.

It does not work brilliantly with:

• Small children

• Distracted adults

• Anyone saying “I’ll just do this quickly”

But if you’re making a polished, grown-up Sukkah setup? Hot glue is a strong choice.

Just maybe don’t do it while balancing a coffee in the other hand.

Size Matters For Paper Chains

Too short?
Your chains look stiff.

Too wide?
They stop draping nicely.

A good middle ground:

• About 1 inch by 6 inches

Want chunkier loops?
Try:

• 1.5 x 8 inches

The larger the loop, the more dramatic the drape.

And in Sukkah decorating, dramatic drape is a feature, not a bug.

Final Thought: Your Sukkah Deserves Better Than Soggy Chains

The beauty of paper chains is that they’re nostalgic.

They remind people of:

• Childhood

• Family crafting nights

• Last-minute pre-Yom-Tov chaos

But nostalgia doesn’t mean we can’t improve the formula a little.

With the right materials, your Sukkah paper chains can be:

• Colorful

• Durable

• Weather-resistant

• Actually beautiful by the end of Sukkot

And honestly?
That’s a pretty solid holiday miracle.

So go raid the school supply drawer, grab the scissors, and make something that survives longer than the first rainstorm.