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DIY Birthday Hat for less than $5 in 15 minutes

Can’t find the perfect party hat for the big bash? Don’t fret! Make your own DIY birthday hat in no time using this tutorial for how to make a party hat out of paper! It’s super easy using the provided party hat template!

As you all probably know by now, there is a big birthday party to be had. Baby girl is turning one. Of course, she must have a party hat. I would not settle for your typical birthday hat you can buy at a party store. Those are fine and dandy, but no, no, no. I wanted something that she would really hate me for later in life. That’s how I roll. So, along with all the other DIY party decorations, I made this birthday party hat for her.

DIY Birthday Hat using Party Hat Template - Rain on a Tin Roof

Yes, this should do. This birthday hat was surprisingly VERY simple to make. Here’s how to do it…

How to Make a Birthday Hat

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Materials Needed:
  • Birthday Hat Template (can be found here)
  • Scissors
  • Cardstock Paper in Color / Patterns of Your Choice
  • X-Acto Knife
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Items for decorating the hat (optional) – I used a pom pom maker to make pom poms for embellishing the hat.
  • Ribbon or Elastic String

Steps

Step 1

Print the party hat template noted above, then cut out the template.

Party Hat Template - Rain on a Tin Roof

Step 2

Place the template over the paper you are making your party hat out of.

How to Make a Party Hat Out of Paper - Rain on a Tin Roof
I found this super cute blue glitter dots scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby.
Trace around the template onto your party hat paper, then cut it out.
DIY Party Hats using a Birthday Hat Template - Rain on a Tin Roof
Use the X-Acto knife to make slits on the cardstock paper where the template notes.
Step 3
Wrap the scrapbook paper into a cone shaped hat and stick the tab in the slot. I did have to make my slot a bit longer than the template had. I also hot glued under the tab to secure it once it was in the slot.
Step 4
If you want to embellish your birthday hat further, then do so now.
I used my Pom-Pom maker to make pom poms to add to the hat.
How to Make a Birthday Hat - embellishing with pom poms - Rain on a Tin Roof
Some people make these with forks, but I have always used my makers. I used the large green one for the pom-pom on top of the hat. I also made 6 small poms with the pink one to place around the bottom edges of the party hat. I just hot-glued those bad boys right on the hat.
Step 5
For our straps, I bought some pink ribbon and made a small slit on each side of the party hat. I tied a knot on the inside of the hat to secure the ribbon.
How to Make a Paper Party Hat - Rain on a Tin Roof
You could also hot glue the ribbon or elastic string to the inside bottom edge  to secure the hat onto the party guy or gal.
Make a party hat using cardstock - Rain on a Tin Roof
And of course, we had to give the first birthday hat a test run…
Yep, you can already see the disbelief and resentment in her face. Score.

Any DIY Party Hats in your future?

See another version of this party hat here and loads more party ideas are here. Make sure you don’t miss this easiest ever and cheapest ever DIY party backdrop using plastic tablecloths either!
Want to come back here later? Just pin the image below!
Birthday Party Hat DIY - Rain on a Tin Roof
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Comments

  1. Susan D says

    Your daughter is so cute! I can’t believe she wore it, my daughter won’t even wear hair clips.
    I think I am going to get me a Pom Pom maker with a coupon because making them on a fork is not the easiest.

    Reply

  7. J says

    Hi! Found you at Diana’s party – the hat is so cute and very professional looking for a fraction of the cost. Your daughter is adorable – but I think she will LOVE you for this hat!

    Reply

  11. Shelley says

    Adorable hat!! Adorable baby girl! I hope she has a lovely first birthday!!! I am visiting from the party “Anything Blue” at the dedicated house! I would LOVE for you to link this party hat up to my Monday link party “Party In Polka Dots!” http://www.piggyinpolkadots.com It would be a great fit for my party and cake blog!

    Shelley

    Reply

  12. Shannon Eyer says

    This is adorable! My daughter’s first birthday is in July, and I’ve not been impressed with any of the party hats in stores, so this is perfect! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply

  17. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    Oh how precious is she, love the hat, what a creative idea. Thanks so much for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, marty

    Reply

  18. Kathryn Ferguson Griffin says

    Oh, goodness, she is too cute! I miss those days. The hat looks great on her. Thank you for sharing this at the Anything Blue Friday party at The Dedicated House. Hope to see you again on Friday. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    Reply

  19. Angie Generose says

    How cute! My daughter’s birthday is on Saturday – I can’t wait to make this for her! Thanks for sharing at my link party last week 🙂

    XO
    Angie @ Easy Living Mom

    Reply

  21. Sarah says

    How much yarn should I buy to make one of these hats? I just ordered the pom pom maker, but i’m at a loss as to what kind of or how much yarn to buy. I have no idea what I”m doing! Help! Thanks!

    Reply

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