What you need:*paper plates
*paint, crayons or markers (or colored plates)
*scissors
*scrap paper in long strips
*pipe cleaners (optional)
*tape, white glue
*stapler or hole punch
*ribbon, string, yarn or twine
scrumdilly-do it!
Set out your supplies on a splat mat or other mess friendly surface. Each kidlet should get one paper plate to transform. If your plates are white, have your wee ones paint, color or draw on them to fancy 'em up a bit. I painted mine. Do this to both sides so make sure to allow time for side one to dry.
Have your wee ones pick a side to be the top of their hat. (You may want them to do this before they paint as the top of the plate will make for a better surface to stick things on. At least, it will keep the glue from dripping everywhere!) They are going to fancy it up with long paper strips that have been cut or torn by your or them. They may dribble glue all over the top and then add their paper scraps or they may use tape to secure them. It all depends on what type of sticky your kidlet prefers. As your wee ones fancy up their hats, have them think TALL. Bend one end of a strip of paper and adhere to the plate then let it loop a little before securing the other end or maybe don't secure it at all. 
If you are using pipe cleaners, make sure the tape is out. Pipe cleaners are not exactly glue friendly and that can be frustrating for your wee ones. 
If your wee ones are not so wee, you can up the ante on this project and have them do a sort of weave to decorate. You will need to cut a bunch of slits in the plate using an exacto knife or blade. NEVER let your wee ones near an exacto blade! Do this as soon as their plates have dried and with your wee ones far away from your sides. Then, your kidlets can slip the paper into the slits to anchor each side. Once all their bits of pipe cleaners and paper are arranged, flip the plate over and secure with tape. This is a little more hands on but it allows for some good moments of hand to eye coordination, problem solving and small motor skills.
Once their hats are all fancied up, set aside so that the glue may dry if glue was used. Otherwise, you can either staple two strings of ribbon, yarn or twine, one to either side of the plate or you can punch a hole in each side and knot a stand of ribbon on each side. It is all up to you and your wee ones.
Place a hat on top of a head and tie under the chin and viola! Fancy hats! If the hat is slip, slip, slipping about, tape a small square of foam or felt to the center of the bottom of the plate. This will help a wee bit with all the sliding. Make sure to take pictures! Not every kidlet likes the feel of something tied under their chin!
Happy Hat Day!
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