How to Make a Paper Chef Hat for a Toddler

If your toddler loves to play with pots and pans, make him a chef’s hat that he can wear while pretend cooking. You can make one of these hats out of paper – it doesn’t require any sewing or gluing and only takes 15 minutes to make. This hat will also be great as part of a Halloween costume.

Things You'll Need

• 5 sheets of white paper, 8 ½ by 11 inches
• Clear tape
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut one sheet of paper lengthwise into thirds. You should now have three separate pieces.

2. Tape the short edges together to make one long strip. This will be the band. Set this piece aside.

3. Lay the other four pieces next to each other to form a 17-by-22-inch rectangle. Tape the four pages together. You should now have one large sheet.

4. Sketch a 7-inch circle lightly in the center of the large sheet. Use a ruler to measure the diameter of the circle; don't worry if you're slightly off within an inch.

5. Draw lines extending from the circle to the outer edges of the sheet.

6. Beginning from the outer edge, cut on the lines that lead to the center circle, and stop the cut once your scissors meet the circle. Continue cutting this way, until all extending lines have been cut.

7. Wrap the long strip that you set aside earlier around your child's head.

8. Tape the edge of the band to form a circle that should fit perfectly on your child's head. Cut off the excess. Set the band aside.

9. Get your large sheet, and make sure the sketching is face up. Gather the cut strips in groups of threes. Tape the gathered strips of the large sheet, to the inside of the band. Continue doing this, until all the gathered strips are taped to the band. Tape them together in groups of three.

10. Reinforce with extra tape as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Once you cut the lines on your pattern, trim the edges to form a large circle. This will make it easier to attach the top of the hat, to the band.

• Maintain your paper chef hat, by stuffing the band with newspaper to keep it's shape. Store it resting on the band's bottom edge.

• With regular play and proper storage, your paper chef hat will last between 30 minutes and 1 week!