Paper Plate Hat Crafts

If you have leftover paper plates from a party or picnic, don’t just stash them away in your closet. Aside from serving food, paper plates are perfect for making creative paper hats. The crafts require few art supplies and make an entertaining activity, with the added benefit of the kids being able to put on their hats to show off their artwork.

Party Hat

Use a ribbed paper plate at the base for your party hat. Decorate the rim of the plate with different-colored crayons and markers. With a pair of scissors, poke a hole in the middle of the plate. Cut several oval or triangle shapes out of the inner circle, so one edge of each shape is on the rim of the plate. When you finish cutting the shapes, fold them upward. They will stick up when you wear the hat. Decorate the shapes with crayons, markers and glitter.

Poke a hole in the center of a paper plate. From the center point, cut several slits that go to the edge of the inner circle of the plate (to the ribbed rim). Cut two vertical slits, two horizontal slits and four diagonal slits, forming eight pie-piece shapes. Bend each pie piece upward, forming the points of the crown. Paint or color the crown green. Take some construction paper and cut out some small flowers in different colors and shapes. Glue the flowers onto the points of the crown. The flower crown is great for celebrating spring or Easter. As a variation, make a Valentine’s Day crown by coloring it red and making hearts instead of flowers.

Cut out the entire inner circle of a paper plate, leaving just the rim as a band for a child’s head. Take the round center and fold it in half. Cut along the fold to form a half-circle. Staple the shape to the front of the band to form a sun visor. Decorate the hat with crayons, markers and glitter.