Don't buy hats for your next
party. Let the kids make their own party hats. You will be
surprised by the amazing results using the ideas in this craft activity.
When my son was born, we planned a birth
party for him. Actually the party was an activity to keep my older
daughter happy and busy. At the last minute she realized we didn't have
hats for the party. We made simple cone hats and decorated them. My son is
now two, and she still thinks these are the best party hats we've ever
had.
Materials
Paper (12"x18 is best)
Decorations (see ideas below)
glue
scissors
Use the 12" side as the
height and the 18" to go around the head. To make the
cone shape, draw a wide triangle, then change the bottom from a
straight line to a curved shape.
You may want to experiment using
newspaper to get the shape right.
Use whatever craft material you have on hand
for the children to decorate the party hats.
While the party hats are drying, put a line of
white glue down one side of the triangle. Then rolled it into a cone
shape. Use a paper clip on the top and bottom to hold it together
until the glue dries.
This party hat may not last as long, but is
much easier to fit.
Draw a triangle in the center of
the page, with a rectangle that runs the length of the paper
at the bottom.
Cut out the hat.
Have the child decorate one side with
craft materials, and
let dry.
To fit the party hat to the child's head, use the
rectangle as a headband. Measure for size, then tape, glue
or staple the hat.
The triangle is the front of the hat,
with the band running around the child's head.
Ideas for Decorating
If you aren't using colored
paper, paint or spray paint the paper first.
Use glitter glue to draw designs
on the paper.
Glue on yarn, ribbon, pom poms,
fancy buttons, sequins, or whatever you have on hand.
Use markers or crayons to draw
designs on the party hats.
Cut out shapes from the left
over paper and glue on.
Let the kids come up with more
craft ideas.
These hats are larger than the traditional
birthday hats that need elastic to stay on. You can add ribbon or string
to tie the party hats on if the kids want ties on their hats.
Follow the idea for Sombrero Hats but create
different shapes.
Push a bit more paper up in the center before
winding the masking tape. Use scissors to cut the brim to create
a Top Hat shape.
Similar to a Top Hat, you could make a Stetson
Hat. After cutting the brim, use gently pressure to create the
crease in the center of the top. Use glue or tape to bring up
the sides of the brim.
If you don't want to paint your party hat, use colored
tissue paper to create your hat.
Here's a tip from on of our visitors.
"We had a great time making the paper hats. We made a cowboy hat for the boys and English Ladies hats for the girls and used ribbons and paper flowers to decorate them.
Also, coated the final hat with a thin layer of white glue mixed with water - it makes the hat a little more durable and gives it a slightly shiny finish."
Kay L.
Send in your ideas for different variations. Let us
know if your kids have fun making their own party hats using the ideas in
this activity. Send us a note if you have any
questions.
Children love making gifts for their parents and other adults who
are important to them. But what can they make that will delight the
person they are giving the gift to?
Here's how you can quickly and easily get lots of simple, high quality
gift ideas that you children can make. Guaranteed to be fun the
children making the gift, and a delight for the person receiving it.
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