Patriotic Parade Hat

A tall red, white, and blue Uncle Sam-style hat is the ultimate Fourth of July craft-to-wear. Children assemble and decorate a paper cone or cylinder hat and wear it proudly in a parade or outdoor celebration.

What You'll Need

• Red, white, and blue construction paper
• Star stickers — lots!
• Glue and tape
• Red and white crepe paper streamers — for the hat brim
• Elastic cord — for a chin strap

How to Do It

Step 1: Make the hat body. Roll blue paper into a cylinder tall enough to sit on the head. Tape. Add a white paper band around the base.

Step 2: Add a red brim. Cut a large circle from red paper, cut a smaller circle inside it, and slide it up the hat body like a rim. Tape in place.

Step 3: Decorate. Cover with star stickers. Add red and white stripes made from paper strips glued to the body.

Step 4: Add streamers. Tape streamers to the back of the brim for extra festivity.

Step 5: Add elastic. Punch holes on each side of the brim and thread elastic for a chin strap.

🎓 Skills Your Child Will Develop

3D construction — Making a wearable cylinder hat is genuine three-dimensional crafting.

National symbols — Uncle Sam's hat connects to American folklore and patriotic iconography.

Tips & Variations

• Make a tiny version to put on a stuffed animal.
• Add a paper eagle cutout to the front.

My Two Cents

Size the cylinder loosely — it's better to have a hat that's slightly too big than one that won't go on. Add a few pieces of tape inside the cylinder to tighten it for smaller heads.