Make Pilgrim Bonnets and Hats

Your younger students’ study of  Pilgrims isn’t complete without making hats! Dressing up in 17th century clothing would be a challenge,  but you can make your own versions of their hats with construction paper.

Pilgrim Bonnets

Supplies:

• one 18″ by 12″ piece of white paper
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Stapler and staples or tape
• Ribbon or string

Directions:

1. Measure and mark with your ruler 6 1/4 inches and 7 1/4 inches from the edge on the long side of the paper on each side.
2. Measure and mark 3 inches straight towards the middle of the paper from the 6 1/4 inch marks.
3. Using a pair of scissors, cut straight from the 6 1/4 inch mark to the 3 inch mark above. Then cut from the 7 1/4 inch mark diagonally to the 3 inch mark.
4. Turn the paper so the uncut edge is now facing you. Fold up two inches of the paper towards the cuts to form the front of the bonnet.
5. To finish the bonnet shape, bring the two 6 1/4 marks together so the middle piece between the cuts folds downwards. The bonnet will create a U-shape with the folded edge. Secure with staples or tape.
6. Cut two lengths of ribbon or string long enough to tie the bonnet together under the wearer’s chin and attach them to the bonnet under the folded front of the bonnet.
7. Your bonnet is complete!

Pilgrim Hats

Supplies:

• Black, yellow, and white construction paper
• Glue
• Scissors
• Tape

Directions:

1. Cut out a hat shape from black construction paper, a two inch stripe long enough to go around the wearer’s head, a strip of white paper as wide as the top of the hat shape, a square of yellow, and a smaller square of white.
2. Glue the white strip of paper to the hat on the front just above the brim.
3. Glue the yellow square in the middle of the white strip.
4. Glue the white square in the middle of the yellow square.
5.  Make a ring with the black strip of paper using the tape.
6. Tape the hat to the ring.
7. Your hat is complete!

You can easily add a white yoke over your shoulders out of white paper for the complete Pilgrim ensemble. It’s perfect for reenactment activities, like our Voyage of the Mayflower lesson plan.