How to Make a Newspaper Pirate Hat

Every year, "Talk like a Pirate Day" is celebrated on September 19. However, you do not need to wait for this holiday to play a swashbuckling buccaneer. Before you recycle that Sunday newspaper, save a few sheets and have fun playing Long John Silver or Captain Hook with your favorite little sea bandit wannabes. These paper hats are also a fun activity that does double duty as a party favor for a pirate-themed birthday party.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Full sheet of newspaper
• Tape or glue (optional)
• Markers or paint (optional)

1. Place a sheet of newspaper flat and unfolded it on a clean, even surface. Lay it lengthwise, as though you were going to read it.

2. Grab the top of the sheet of newspaper and fold it in half. It should now be shaped like a horizontal rectangle.

3. Fold each top corner into the center of the sheet, leaving an inch or two unfolded at the bottom of the sheet. The two corners should meet in the center of the sheet and it should now resemble a sailboat.

4. Fold the front flap at the bottom of the sheet up and over the bottom of the triangular area of the sheet of paper. Turn the paper over and fold the other flap up in line with the first one.

5. Open the bottom of the hat and place it on your head. If desired, use tape or glue to hold it in place, although it should stay folded well without it. Decorate the hat with paint or markers if you choose.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a telescope out of an empty paper towel roll for even more pirate fun.
• Use caution if placing the paper on light-colored fabricsm such as a tablecloth, as the ink may come off and stain the material.

Resources

• Talk Like a Pirate Day Site

[Merriment]

on 2/11/2009 How fun!

[Alishamitchum]

on 1/14/2009 Great article. Looks like a lot of fun!

[sixstring2slim]

on 1/11/2009 Too Cool! I remember doing this last year for my students... I couldn't believe how many of them had never done this! Thanx for the reminder! ~ Carson