How to Make Simple Paper Hats
Paper hats are a fun and inexpensive way to add flair to any celebration. Hats can be given to guests as a party favor or made as an activity at a party or in the classroom. These hats are simple to make and can be decorated for any occasion or to match any theme. Children will love to make paper hats, and will wear them with pride.
Things You'll Need
- For the paper plate hats:
- White paper plates
- Crayons and markers
- Stickers and other embellishments
- Tape
- Hole punch
- Ribbons, yarn or elastic string
- Scissors
- For the paper crown hats:
- 11 by 14-inch construction paper
- Chenille stems (2 per crown)
- Pencil
- Stapler
Instructions
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Paper Plate Hats
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1
Find the center of a paper plate. Cut a slit from one side to the center. With a pencil, mark 1 to 2 inches in from the slit and draw a line from the edge of the plate to the center. This area will be covered when the hat is shaped.
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2
Decorate the hat with stickers, glitter, markers and crayons. Add stick-on crystals or gemstones. Feathers and ribbons can also be attached. Let the hat-makers use their imagination.
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3
Slide one side of the plate over the other side where you cut the slit. This will make the plate into a cone. Fit to the head of the person who will be wearing the hat. Tape the edges of the plate in place.
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4
Punch holes in the plate so the holes are above the ears of the person wearing the hat. Tie ribbons, string or elastic through the holes to hold the hat in place.
Paper Crown Hats
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5
Cut construction paper into 4-inch-wide strips lengthwise. You should be able to get two strips per sheet of paper. Wrap the paper around the child's head and trim to fit but do not tape yet. The hat should not be too tight but should fit snugly near the tops of the ears.
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6
Decorate the paper with the embellishments. Take the chenille stems and wrap around a pencil in a spiral. Remove the pencil and the stems will retain the spiral shape. Add stickers or pictures to the ends of the stems using staples.
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7
Place the decorated contruction paper band around the child's head once again. Staple or tape in place. Remove the hat and staple the chenille stems inside the hat to the front or sides of the hat.
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1
Tips & Warnings
It is easier for young children to decorate their hats before they are shaped, as they can easily crush the paper shape. Allow them to decorate with their paper flat first.
The paper crown hats do not need ribbons or elastic to hold them in place.
Do not tie the ribbons or elastic too tightly.
Supervise young children with scissors.
References
- Photo Credit Party hats image by Lucian Muset from Fotolia.com
