Hats*

To make hats for plays or Halloween costumes—or just for fun—you will need: lightweight cardboard or newspaper; scissors; glue, tape, or stapler; and any optional materials that you choose.

Crown

1. Cut 4″ (10 cm) strip of cardboard long enough to go around child’s head and overlap at least 1 1/2″ (3.8 cm).

2. Cut scallops along one edge of headband. (Measure scallops with overlap held in place before cutting to be sure design will be symmetrical.)

3. Draw on designs with crayons or colored markers, or decorate with beads, buttons, gold or silver braid, etc.

4. Glue, tape, or staple overlap.

Indian Headdress

1. Cut 2″ (5 cm) strip of cardboard long enough to go around child’s head and overlap at least 1″ (2.5 cm); glue, tape, or staple overlap.

2. Draw feather pattern and use it to make enough cardboard feathers to attach around headband.

Clown Hat

1. Fold sheet of newspaper—about 12″ x 24″ (30.5 cm x 61 cm)—in half; cut out quarter circle (see illustration), then open into half circle.

2. With rounded edge at bottom, roll into cone that is just a little larger at bottom than child’s head.

3. Glue, tape, or staple overlap, then tuck under edge where bottom edges don’t meet; glue, tape, or staple tucked edge.

4. Optional: Paint with bright colors; affix cotton balls, bells, ribbons, stickers, etc.

• Needs older person’s help