How to Make Sombrero Hats Out of Paper

Make a colorful sombrero using newspaper.

Making a sombrero out of paper is an appropriate project for kids when they are learning about Mexico or Cinco de Mayo. Parties with a Mexican theme are popular with young and old, and creating sombreros for each guest is a simple art project. Make the hats ornate with lots of bold colors and fringing or keep it plain. You are only limited by your imagination and artistic abilities.

Things You'll Need

• Newspaper
• Masking tape
• Fabric ribbon
• Fabric fringe or pompoms
• Spray paint
• Glitter or sequins (optional)

Instructions

1. Give each person two sheets of newspaper at least 3 feet long. Place the newspapers on top of each other in a criss-cross fashion. It should make a make an eight-point star.

2. Center the newspapers on top of the head of the person for whom you are making the hat, and use your hands to press down around the crown of his head to give the sombrero a domed section that will fit properly.

3. Wrap masking tape around the bottom of the dome shape, which should be right around the person's ears. You may need to wrap tape around the newspaper dome two or three times to make a sturdy dome.

4. Remove the sombrero from the person's head. Roll and scrunch up all the edges of the newspaper to finish the sombrero shape, according to Creative Kids at Home. Keep in mind that sombreros are typically quite large and droop to provide protection from sunlight.

5. Spray the sombrero with tan spray paint--or a more colorful color--and allow it to dry for an hour.

6. Create fringing along the edge of the sombrero by attaching fabric fringe or making fringe from pieces of yarn. Add colorful yarn pompoms to add more of a Mexican look.

7. Add sparkly sequins or glitter with white school glue and allow the decorations to dry.

Tips & Warnings

• You can cover the masking tape with fabric ribbon with a Hispanic theme or any bright color, leave it plain or paint over it.

References

• Creative Kids at Home: Paper Party Hats

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish