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Paper Mache Hats

When it’s too hot to go outdoors and play, what’s there to do? Making paper mache hats is a fun activity that you can do with your children during these dog days of summer. It’s pretty easy to do and costs very little. And there is no limit to the variety of styles and shapes you can make. Your children will love wearing paper hats that they have made themselves!

How to make Paper Mache Hats for a fun summer project! | hip Homeschool Moms

What you will need:

1. Measure the circumference of your child’s head. You can use a string if you don’t have a measuring tape.

2. Blow up a balloon to the same size as your child’s head. Then, holding the balloon upright on cardboard, trace around the balloon. How to Make paper mache hats. | Hip Homeschool Moms

3. Cut a hole in the cardboard. Then cut again making a circle rim for the brim of the hat. Cover it with plastic wrap and cut a hole in the middle. (The plastic is so that when the paper mache dries it will be removable from the brim mold.)

4. Place balloon in the middle of the brim; leave plastic wrap intact.

5. Take strips of newspaper and soak them in liquid starch. Remove excess liquid and place the strips on the hat in a crisscross pattern. Also cover the brim.

Paper Mache Hats- Can be mamde using ballon, liquid starch and newspaper. | Hip Homeschool Moms

*Note: Be careful not to let the rim slide down. This may make the opening of the hat too small to fit your child’s head. You don’t want to disappoint your child after she’s  worked so hard on her creation. It’s better for it to be a little too big than too small.

You can shape your paper mache hat while it's still wet to make the style you want. | Hip Homeschool Moms

To make different styles, shape your hat accordingly. For a sun hat, leave off the brim. For a cowboy hat, flip up each side while it’s still wet. You can also flip up just one side for girls who want to add ribbons and flowers later. For a baseball cap, fill only one side of the brim and trim once it’s dry.  And don’t forget helmets for boys!

Paper mache helmets are perfect for boys and offer hours of imaginative play. | Hip Homeschool Moms
For this helmet, omit the cardboard brim and put paper directly onto balloon. Paint and add embellishments later.

6. Be sure to make your hat thick enough to be strong and sturdy. Let it dry over night. Trim the brim (if needed) to make a smooth rounded edge.

7. Once it’s dry, give the hat a base coat of white tempera paint. A decent quality tempera is usually opaque enough to cover most of the newspaper text, and it should serve as a decent primer for painting. Paint paper mache hat white as a primer. | Hip Homeschool Moms

8. Once dry, paint your hat any way you like. Your child will love this part! Paint hats in different colors and designs. | Hip Homeschool Moms

 

9. Last, after it’s completely dry, use hot glue to attach flowers, sequins, ribbons, and more! Tissue paper flowers also create a terrific look!

 

Paper Mache Hats for Summer | Hip Homeschool Moms Watch your child have fun wearing her hat!

 

Add a twist:

  • I used this lesson to teach about painter Mary Cassatt and color harmonies.
  • For something easier and less messy, make paper wizard hats! There’s no need for a mess. Just make a cone of several sheets of paper, roll the bottom, and tape!
  • Paint and decorate with stickers! To omit painting, use large sheets of colored paper.

Kids really love to dress up and let it inspire their play. What is your child’s favorite dress up costume right now? What kind of paper mache hat would he or she enjoy making?

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