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12 Easy St Patricks Day Hat Craft Ideas Kids will Love
Looking for a St Patricks Day hat craft ideas for kids that’s easy, affordable, and actually fun for kids? Whether you’re planning a classroom party, decorating your home, or organizing a themed craft center, leprechaun hat crafts are one of the most iconic and engaging St. Patrick’s Day activities for children.
From printable hat crowns and recycled toilet paper roll hats to wearable felt designs and mini decorative garlands, this guide brings together the best St. Patricks Day hat craft ideas for preschoolers, kindergarteners, and elementary students. Each craft supports fine motor skills, creativity, and hands-on learning while keeping prep simple for parents and teachers.
If you’re celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day at school or at home in the United States, Canada, Ireland, or beyond, these hat crafts align perfectly with common classroom themes like shamrocks, rainbows, leprechauns, and pots of gold.
Inside, you’ll find:
- Quick printable hat crafts for large groups
- Recycled material hats that teach sustainability
- 3D wearable top hats for costumes and parades
- Mini decorative hats for garlands and magnets
Let’s dive into creative, kid-approved St Patricks Day hat craft ideas that are simple to set up—and unforgettable to wear.
Table of Contents
What Is the Easiest St Patricks Day Hat Craft for Kids?
The easiest St Patricks Day hat craft for kids is one that uses simple materials, minimal prep, and clear step-by-step assembly. Printable crowns and basic paper constructions are usually the fastest to set up—especially for classrooms or group activities.
The best St Patricks Day hat crafts can be divided into four simple themes:
- Paper & Printable Hat Crafts – Quick crowns, paper plates, and origami hats that are low-prep and classroom-friendly.
- Recycled Material Hats – Creative leprechaun hats made from toilet paper rolls, paper cups, and craft sticks.
- 3D & Wearable Hats – Taller, customizable top hats and soft felt options perfect for costumes and parades.
- Decorative Mini Hats – Small-scale hat crafts designed for garlands, magnets, ornaments, and festive displays.
Each category helps you choose the right St Patricks Day hat craft depending on time, age group, and available materials.
Paper & Printable St Patricks Day Hat Crafts
1- Printable Leprechaun Hat Crown
A classic green leprechaun crown with a bold buckle and shamrock accent—perfect for classroom parties and quick St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Materials Needed
- Printable hat template
- Green cardstock
- Crayons or markers
- Scissors
- Stapler
How to Make It
- Print and color the template.
- Cut out the crown and headband strip.
- Adjust size and staple together to fit.
Why It’s Great
- 5-minute assembly
- Easy to scale for 20–25 kids
- A parade-ready favorite in US classrooms
2- Paper Plate Leprechaun Hat
Turn a simple paper plate into a wearable leprechaun hat. The plate becomes the brim, and a toilet paper roll forms the crown.
Materials Needed
- Paper plate
- Toilet paper roll
- Green paint
- Black and yellow construction paper
- Glue
How to Make It
- Cut the center out of the paper plate to form the brim.
- Paint the plate and roll green; let dry.
- Glue the roll to the center and add a black band with a yellow buckle.
Why It’s Great
- Made from recycled materials
- Sturdy enough to wear or display
- Can double as a fun tambourine with coins inside
Discover more St Patricks day Leprechaun Crafts for kids in our detailed guide.
3- Origami Leprechaun Top Hat
A no-cut folding craft that transforms green square paper into a mini leprechaun top hat.
Materials Needed
- Green square paper
- Shamrock sticker
How to Make It
- Fold the paper to create the hat base.
- Shape the crown and brim with careful creases.
- Add a shamrock sticker for decoration.
Why It’s Great
- Builds origami and fine motor skills
- No scissors required
- Perfect size for finger puppets
Recycled Material St Patricks Day Hat crafts
4- Toilet Paper Roll Leprechaun Hat
A tall decorative hat made by stacking 2–3 toilet paper rolls.
Materials Needed
- 2–3 toilet paper rolls
- Green paint or paper
- Black ribbon
- Glue
How to Make It
- Cover rolls in green paint or paper.
- Stack and glue securely.
- Add a ribbon band and buckle detail.
Why It’s Great
- Zero-waste craft
- Stands alone as festive table décor
5- Popsicle Stick Hat Frame
Create a 3D leprechaun hat frame using craft sticks and paint.
Materials Needed
- 12 craft sticks
- Green paint
- Yellow paper
- Glue
How to Make It
- Glue sticks into a rectangular brim and triangular crown.
- Paint the structure green.
- Add a yellow buckle detail.
Why It’s Great
- Encourages 3D geometry awareness
- Easy to convert into fridge magnets
6- Paper Cup Mini Top Hat
Invert a paper cup to create a mini wearable top hat.
Materials Needed
- Paper cup
- Cardstock circle
- Green paint
- Pipe cleaner
How to Make It
- Paint the cup green.
- Glue onto a cardstock circle to form the brim.
- Add a shamrock made from pipe cleaner.
Why It’s Great
- Party-favor sized
- Can attach to a headband for costumes
3D & Wearable St Patricks Day Hat Crafts
7- Cardstock Shamrock Top Hat
A tall, wearable cylinder hat decorated with shamrock accents.
Materials Needed
- Green cardstock
- Scissors
- Tape
- Glue
How to Make It
- Cut and roll cardstock into a cylinder.
- Attach brim and shamrock decorations.
- Tape a headband strip inside.
Why It’s Great
- Adjustable height
- Space to write each child’s name
8- Felt Leprechaun Hat with Buckle
A soft felt hat that can be made without sewing—just glue and decorate.
Materials Needed
- Green felt
- Black ribbon
- Gold fabric paint
- Fabric glue
How to Make It
- Cut felt into crown and brim pieces.
- Glue pieces together.
- Add ribbon band and paint a gold buckle.
Why It’s Great
- Reusable costume piece
- Quiet craft ideal for classroom centers
9- Pool Noodle Hat Ring
Slice a foam pool noodle into a mini hat base and decorate.
Materials Needed
- Pool noodle slice (2″)
- Acrylic paint
- Shamrock topper
- Hot glue (adult use)
How to Make It
- Slice a 2-inch ring from the noodle.
- Paint green and add details.
- Glue a shamrock on top.
Why It’s Great
- Durable foam texture
- Engaging sensory experience
Decorative Mini St Patricks Day Hat Crafts
10- Mini Paper Roll Hats (Garland)
Tiny painted paper roll hats strung together for festive décor.
Materials Needed
- TP rolls cut into ½” pieces
- Acrylic paint
- Twine
- Glue
How to Make It
- Paint mini roll sections green.
- Add small brims and buckle details.
- String together to create a garland.
Why It’s Great
- Perfect for classroom door decorations
- Easy bulk craft
11- Milk Jug Lid Hats
Recycled milk jug lids transformed into miniature leprechaun hats.
Materials Needed
- Milk jug lids
- Green paint
- Chenille stems
- Glue
How to Make It
- Paint lids green.
- Twist chenille stems into shamrocks.
- Glue and display.
Why It’s Great
- Teaches recycling concepts
- Lightweight for ornaments
12- Button & Foam Hat Magnets
Mini hat shapes made from craft foam with button buckles and magnets.
Materials Needed
- Green craft foam
- Buttons
- Magnets
- Glue
How to Make It
- Cut hat shapes from foam.
- Glue button as buckle detail.
- Attach magnet to back.
Why It’s Great
- Fine motor practice
- Fridge-ready keepsakes parents love
Tips for Perfect St Patricks Day Hat Crafts for Kids
Tips for Parents
- Keep it simple and kid-led: Choose hat crafts with basic shapes and big pieces (paper plate hats, printable crowns, TP-roll hats) so kids do most of the painting, sticking, and decorating while you just handle cutting and hot glue.
- Turn craft time into connection time: Craft alongside your child—make your own “grown-up” hat, let them pick colors and decorations, and use the time to chat about leprechauns, rainbows, and what “feeling lucky” means in your family.
- Prep smart, clean fast: Lay down a cheap plastic tablecloth, pre-pour paint into small plates or muffin tins, and keep a “clean-up basket” nearby with wipes, paper towels, and a trash bag so you can reset the space in under five minutes.
- Use what you already have: Before buying supplies, raid your recycling and junk drawers—paper plates, cardboard boxes, bottle lids, scrap ribbon, and old buttons all make great hat decorations and keep the project budget-friendly.
- Make it wearable and photo-ready: Add elastic, yarn, or a simple paper headband to turn any flat hat into a wearable one, then snap photos of your child in their creation for a sweet St. Patrick’s Day memory or yearly tradition.
Tips for Teachers
- Choose hat crafts that scale for a whole class: Pick 1–2 core projects that use the same base materials (paper plates, cardstock strips, simple buckles) so you can prep in batches and manage 20+ kids with minimal chaos.
- Set up hat-making stations: Create stations (paint, cutting, decorating, fitting) and rotate small groups through each one; this keeps lines short, reduces spills, and lets you give focused help where scissors or glue guns are involved.
- Pre-cut, then let kids customize: Cut the hat bases, buckles, and brims ahead of time (or print templates) and let students take ownership with markers, stickers, shamrock punches, and their names so the craft still feels personal and creative.
- Tie crafts to learning goals: Use hat bands for pattern practice (green-gold-green-gold), write sight words or names on the hat brim, or have students write a short sentence on a strip about “Why I feel lucky” to integrate literacy.
- Plan for storage and parades: Label hats with names before crafting, have a dedicated drying/display area, and schedule a quick “Leprechaun Hat Parade” around the classroom or hallway so students get to proudly show off their work.
Final Words
St. Patrick’s Day hat crafts for kids are an easy way to turn a regular March day into something playful and memorable, whether you’re at home, in a classroom, or homeschooling. By choosing simple, scalable hat designs and matching them to your kids’ ages and skills, you’ll get fun costumes, cute photos, and plenty of chances to sneak in learning—all without needing a complicated supply list.
FAQs
What’s the best St. Patricks Day hat craft for young kids?
Printable leprechaun hat crowns and paper plate hats are among the easiest—they use basic coloring, gluing, and stapling, and can be finished in one short session.
How can I make St. Patricks Day hats comfortable and actually wearable?
Use lightweight materials like cardstock or foam, avoid making hats too tall or heavy, and add soft elastic or wide paper bands that fit loosely so kids forget they’re even wearing them.
What supplies do I need for basic St. Patricks Day hat crafts?
Green paper or paint, paper plates or cardstock strips, black and yellow paper for the band and buckle, scissors, glue or tape, and optional extras like shamrock stickers, glitter, and cotton balls are usually enough.
Are there good St. Patrick’s Day hat crafts for bigger kids too?
Yes—older kids can tackle more detailed projects like 3D cardstock top hats, popsicle-stick hat frames, or felt hats with stitched or glued-on buckles and shamrocks.
Can I reuse these hat ideas for school events or parties?
Absolutely; simple hat templates and plate hats work well for classroom parties, family events, parades, or even school spirit days when you want a quick themed costume piece.
