Longest chain from one sheet

You will make linked paper loops using a single sheet and hand tears. Narrow strips give more loops, but they can tear when you pull their ends together.

Build
Starter
About 20 minutes

Grown-up needed: yes for setup, nearby supervision and clearing spills or loose pieces

What you need

One sheet of paper
A flat table
Your hands

The rule

One sheet. That is all.

How to do it

Fold the sheet into eight equal long bands.
Tear carefully along the creases to separate the bands.
Curl one band into a loop with overlapping ends.
Fold the overlapping ends together twice to close the loop.
Thread the next band through that loop before closing its ends.
Repeat with the remaining bands and lift the chain gently.

Why it works

Each loop passes through another, so the chain does not need a long unbroken strip. Folding the overlapping ends makes a small rolled joint that holds through contact and friction. It is a temporary paper connection rather than a glued bond. Thin bands make more links from a fixed sheet, but they leave less paper across each joint. Pulling hard can unfold the ends or start a tear, which is why a longer chain may be fragile.

Make it harder

Make ten narrower bands.
Use shorter overlaps without pulling hard.
Find a fold closure that holds the chain with fewer rolled layers.

Ask Taz

Why do narrow links tear more easily?
Why do folded ends come apart when I pull?
Why does a longer chain need stronger joins?

Ask Taz

For grown-ups

This version uses hand tearing and folded closures to keep preparation free of cutting tools and glue. Help with stubborn creases without adding another material. The links may come apart, giving a useful comparison of closure shapes. Ask at dinner: “Which mattered more for your chain: the number of links or the strength of their ends?”

Taz is an AI and can be wrong, so stay close by. Read how safety works on Taz.

Show us yours

Film your hands and what you made, not your face or name. Ask a grown-up before posting anywhere else.

Questions parents ask

Do we need special equipment?

Use the household items listed above. Begin with a small attempt on a clear surface before trying any harder version. The listed time is an estimate, so leave room to rebuild or repeat without rushing.

What if the first attempt does not work?

Notice where the result first changed. Alter one feature, keep the rest similar and try again. An unsuccessful attempt can still give you a useful question.

Do we have to post the result?

No. You can show it to a grown-up at home. Online sharing is optional and needs the permissions in the privacy line above.

More to try

See all Taz Challenges, or look through the science labs. One place for every why. Ask for early access at aitaz.com