Children growing up is incredibly bittersweet. One day we will be faced with their graduation from high school and then hopefully college too. But before all of that grown up hubbub we have preschool and kindergarten to think about and enjoy (with maybe a small tear or two). Use this Graduation Cap Tutorial to create a simple, frugal graduation hat and take a few photos of your child when he/she “graduates” preschool or kindergarten. Then in 12 or 13 years you can pull this photo out for a very fun comparison.
Graduation Hat Materials
- Black Poster Board (these are 59¢ per sheet at the Dollar Store)
- Glue or tape
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Ribbon (optional)
Graduation Hat Tutorial
Using a ruler to ensure accuracy, cut a three inch strip from the bottom of the poster board. The strip will be 3″ wide by 22″ long.
Cut 1/2″ slits approximately 2″ apart around one side of the 22″ strip. Fold the strips inwards to create a circle and tape/glue into place. If you are going for perfection or doing this project for a class graduation you may want to measure the head of the child who will be wearing this hat first. For a quick photo shoot on a small child you will be fine with a band that is between 20 and 22 inches long. The average child’s head circumference is 20″ and if you figure in ponytails or hair up for a little girl then you will want a little extra length anyway.
Create a square out of the remaining poster board. An 11″ by 11″ square works perfectly.
** You will have enough poster board to make 2 graduation caps if you create two 11″ squares and two 3″ by 22″ strips. **
Adhere the band to the square by gluing or taping the notches to the square.
Turn the hat over and add ribbon or a tassel to to the top of the hat. Glue, tape, or brad into place.
Have a fun photo shoot! Grab a white piece of paper, roll it, and secure with tape or ribbon and it is the perfect faux diploma! You can use this Graduation Cap craft as a centerpiece or fun decoration. Get creative and add the year, sparkles, or create a white graduation hat and have your child decorate it. There are so many possibilities.
If your child’s class does not have a graduation you could make this craft for all of the children and send it home with the children or ask the teacher if you could have a small ceremony in class (although this is probably a better received idea in preschool than kindergarten).
Don’t miss this adorable Teacher Thank You Collage idea for Teacher Appreciation week!
We love crafting! Be sure to check out our Craft Posts for more ways to create fun, frugal crafts and projects at your house!
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Leandrea is a married mom of two girls, ages 13 and 12, living in Atlanta, GA. She is passionate about helping people save money one coupon at a time. Read more
Thank you for this! Saved me in a pinch for a virtual moving up ceremony. Very clear and easy to follow instructions. I used a lawn bag and some card stock paper. Painted the paper materials black and will decorate with personalized message for my kindergartner.