Paper Pirate Hat

Fold an origami pirate hat from a big piece of paper for an easy paper folding craft idea perfect for summer fun or a learning activity.

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Children and adults alike are fascinated by pirates. Although there is certainly a lot about them that wasn’t good, there’s something about sailing on adventures, sword fights, and treasure that’s so exciting!

If you’re planning a pirate-themed week of activities, you can’t skip making a simple origami hat with the kids that they can wear. Finish out the pirate outfit with a loose white shirt, dark pants, and accessories like a pair of boots and a big belt.

What kind of hat does a pirate wear?

There are a couple of different hats there were common for pirates to wear, depending on when and where they lived. The “Golden Age” of piracy that kids recognize from movies was between the 1650s and the 1730s, mostly in the Caribbean.

The hat you’re most likely familiar with is called a tricorn hat, named because it had 3 corners. It was popular for pirates, sailors, and gentlemen to wear in the 1700s and 1800s.

This one we’re showing you how to make today is a bicorn hat because, as you might guess, it has 2 corners. It was worn in the same time period as the tricorn hat, but more common among navy sailors.

Both tricorn and bicorn hats are styled by taking a regular hat with a wide brim and folding up the edges.

A pirate might have also worn a tied scarf or other common types of hats to protect their head from the sun and weather.

How to make an origami pirate hat

Supplies

• large rectangular piece of kraft paper, newspaper, etc. with a roughly 2:1 ratio
• Scotch tape
• pencil
• black marker

Instructions

1. Fold the paper in half.

We used a piece of kraft paper that measures approximately 13×24-inches. A page of a newspaper also has good proportions. Start by laying the paper horizontally, then fold it in half to make a square.

2. Fold down the triangles.

Turn the paper so that the folded side is at the top (away from you) and then fold down each top corner to make a triangle.

3. Fold up the bottom edges.

Take the bottom flap and fold it all the way up so that it lines up with the bottom of the triangle. Flip the hat over and do the same to the other side.

4. Fold down the edge of the hat.

Finally, fold the end of the bottom flap in half, tucking it inside the brim. Flip the hat over and do the same on the other side.

5. Secure the ends and decorate.

The hat will hold its shape pretty well, but you can put clear Scotch tape over either end of the brim to make it more secure. Decorate the hat however you like! We drew a classic pirate skull and bones.

Printable instructions

More fun ideas from Backyard Summer Camp:

• 18 Pirate Books for Kids – Fiction and Nonfiction
• 10 Educational Pirate Activities for Kids
• 24 Sand and Beach Themed Activities for Kids