How Make Paper Birthday Hats

Conical paper birthday hats have been a staple at children's birthday parties for decades. But they can be expensive to buy, especially if you have a large number of guests. Instead, you can make your own and even involve the party guests in the process if you like. The process is surprisingly easy and takes very few supplies. The most important thing is to use poster board instead of regular computer paper so the hats don't fall apart when guests take them on and off.

Things You'll Need

• One sheet of poster board for every four guests
• Stapler and staples
• School glue
• Elastic or ribbon (about 1 foot per guest)
• Scissors
• Embellishments of your choice
• Compass and pencil
• One-hole punch
• Compass

Instructions

1. Use your compass to draw a circle on the poster board that is 7 inches in diameter. Cut out the circle and fold it exactly in half. Cut down the center line to create two half circles. You now have the body of your first two hats.

2. Begin at the left edge and start rolling the paper toward the right edge. Because of its shape it will naturally form a cone. When you have the bottom opening at the correct size, staple the right edge to left edge by overlapping them about a quarter inch. One staple should be sufficient.

3. Turn the hat so that you are looking at the side furthest from the seam. Then put one hole on the left and one on the right of this side using your one-hole punch. You want the holes about a quarter inch from the bottom of the hat so there is no risk of the paper tearing through. These holes are for the ribbon or elastic you will attach later.

4. Decorate the hat. There are dozens of ways to do this. You can use markers, stickers, crayons and even glitter pens. To make a "fancy" hat, use school glue to add feathers, lace, plastic sequins and cotton balls. Don't forget to write "Happy Birthday" front and center.

5. Leave the hat on the table for about five minutes to allow the glue to dry, if necessary. Then place the hat on the wearer's head. Put one end of the ribbon or elastic in each hole and tie them so that the hat fits the wearer comfortably. You want the wearer to be able to take it on and off, so don't make it too tight. It should fit directly under the chin. Cut off any excess length.

6. Complete steps one through five for the remaining partygoers. Then make a hat for yourself and start your celebration.

Tips & Warnings

• Let guests help decorate their hats as the first activity at a child's birthday party. If you don't have a one-hole punch, staple the ends of the ribbon or elastic into the inside of the hat.

• Never use a hot-glue gun on poster board hats. The glue could burn the paper.