How to Make Mini Spring Hats From Styrofoam Balls

Spring hats often have flowers and other embellishments.

Making miniature hats with a Styrofoam ball is an easy way to add a whimsical touch to Easter or springtime crafts. Styrofoam is lightweight, therefore it is appropriate to add these hats to wreaths or wall hangings. Miniature hats also add a touch of spring to the kitchen when using them as a refrigerator magnet. Making the hats is simple enough for children, yet is creative enough for adults to add a touch of spring decor to many types of crafts.

Things You'll Need

• Newspapers
• Sharp serrated knife
• Old candle
• Sharpened pencil with clean eraser
• Craft foam sheet
• Drawing compass
• Scissors
• Acrylic paints
• Craft paint brush
• Low-temperature glue gun and glue sticks
• Coordinating fabric ribbon (1/2 inch wide)
• Small silk flowers
• Stickers with a spring theme (optional)
• Faux gems with flat backs (optional)
• Small magnet with peel-off backing (optional)

Instructions

1. Cover the work area with newspapers.

2. Cut the Styrofoam ball in half with a sharp serrated knife. Rubbing a candle over the blade beforehand makes this less difficult.

3. Set the half of the ball on a craft foam sheet with the flat side down. Trace around the ball half with a sharpened pencil, and then remove the Styrofoam. Choose a piece of craft foam that closely matches the acrylic paint color. White, yellow, pink or other pastel paint colors work well for a spring hat.

4. Place the pointed end of a compass in the center of the circle on the craft foam. Adjust the pencil end so it extends 2 inches beyond the circle. Draw a line all around the circumference. This leaves a doughnut shape on the craft foam.

5. Cut out the craft foam with sharp scissors along the outer edge to create a circle. This forms the brim of the miniature spring hat.

6. Paint the half Styrofoam ball with the matching acrylic paint and a craft paint brush. Allow time for the paint to dry. Add another coat of paint if necessary to match the craft foam color well. Wait for the acrylic paint to dry.

7. Set the Styrofoam back into the circle you drew with the pencil. This helps center it in the hat. Glue the brim of the hat to the flat surface of the Styrofoam. Do this with a low-temperature hot glue gun.

8. Wrap the ribbon around the hat where the craft foam meets the Styrofoam. Bring the end of the ribbon around until it slightly overlaps itself. Cut the ribbon with the scissors and then glue it in place.

9. Add tiny silk flowers to the hat. Do this by clipping the stems off with sharp scissors so that only the blossom remains. Glue them anywhere you want on the hat with the hot glue gun.

Tips & Warnings

• Give the hat polka dots if you desire. Do this by dipping the clean eraser on the pencil into white acrylic paint or another pastel color. Press the eraser firmly on the hat brim and rounded section to leave a polka dot. Give it as many polka dots as you desire, and allow them to dry.

• Use spring-themed stickers or glue faux gems to decorate the miniature hat as well if you want. Use the glue gun to add the faux gems.

• Add a small magnet with peel-off backing to the bottom of the hat to use it as a refrigerator magnet.

References

• Styrofoam Brand Foam: Crafting Tips