Introduction:
Making wearable art with young children is always fun. It affords them the unique opportunity to practice their coordination skills with scissors and glue while experiencing a level of self awareness. In this lesson I will introduce a couple of different patterns for hats you can make out of paper.

Materials:

Directions:

1. The Peter Pan/pirate hat is a staple of childhood imagination. I remember countless days with the newspaper folding hat after hat. It makes an attractive pirate¡s hat and can be further folded into a paper boat that will float down any stream. Decorate it with one long feather for the ultimate adventurers hat. (See Klutz book, 2nd to last page)



2. Also a cornerstone of childhood play is the simply rolled cone hat. This hat is a wonderful accessory for the mighty wizard, the swooning princess, or the goofy clown. A dark colored paper decorated with glitter or metallic paint is appropriate for the magician. Glue a streamer or a piece of delicate fabric to the top of a pink cone for princess mode. Glue raffia, cotton balls or strips of paper to the inside of the headband portion of a cone made of patterned paper to add excitement to any clown costume.



3. No play time would be complete without the quintessential crown which can be made of all manner of materials, from the plastic 2 liter bottle, to metallic paper. Decorate your crown with glitter, plastic jewels, confetti, or sequins. (See Klutz book)



4. Top hats are also necessary for a complete costume repertoire and are simple to make. One piece of paper, a couple of snips with the scissors, and some tape and voila! The Magician has somewhere to hide his rabbit!



5. For more of a challenge try the cowboy hat. This hat is made with a template and involves a bit of cut and paste work. It is an instant winner with most kids. It can be accompanied by a feathered Indian headband, completing the cast of characters for an afternoon of "Cowboys and Indians."



6. For more of a challenge, try making the "Sun Hat" which takes a little practice and involves some fancy folding. It looks great when done with decorative paper and does afford protection from the sun. It can even double as a hat for a French Foreign Legion or Lawrence of Arabia costume! (see Jackson book, pg. 51-53)

Resources:
Jackson, Paul. Festive Folding; Decorative Origami for parties and Celebrations. Chartwell Books, New Jersey. 1991.

Make Believe: A Book of Costume and Fantasy. Klutz Press, California. 1993.

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