Amusement Park Hat (wear the Fun on Your Head!)

Have you ever wanted to go somewhere, but you just can't get it out of your head? I'm dying to go to an amusement park! And I think this hat demonstrates it perfectly!

This is a crazy hat inspired by amusement parks and some of their most popular rides!

Here's how to make it!

Includes a section for food and drinks!.

1. Cardboard box
2. Silicone sticks (several)
3. Hot glue gun
4. Scissors
5. Utility knife (cutter)
6. Wooden sticks (8)
7. Ruler
8. Measuring tape
9. Rubber band
10. Small plastic tube or hose (straw-sized, 50 cm long)
11. Paintbrush
12. Paints (black + your favorite colors)
13. Pencil, pen, or marker (for marking)
14. Small disposable cup (not visible in the photo)
15. Empty bottle (not too big, not visible in the photo)

1. Take the head measurement:

Use a tape measure to measure around the head — either your own or the person the hat is for.

2. Placement:

The tape should go above the ears and eyebrows, forming a slightly sloped, straight line when viewed from the side.

3. Accuracy matters:

Make sure not to tighten or loosen the tape too much.

Too tight = the hat won’t fit.

Too loose = the hat will fall off.

1. Calculate the diameter of your head circle:

Use your head measurement — in this case, 58 cm (22.8 in).

Now divide it by pi (3.1416) to get the diameter.

→ Example: 58 ÷ 3.1416 = 18.5 cm (rounded).

2. Draw the inner circle:

Set your compass to the result (e.g., 18.5 cm) and draw a circle on your cardboard.

Leave extra space around it — you’ll need it for the brim.

3. Add the brim width:

To make the brim, add 12 cm (4.5 in) to the original diameter.

→ Example: 18.5 + 12 = 30.5 cm total diameter.

Draw that larger circle around the first one.

4. Cut out the ring:

Cut out both circles to create a ring (the brim) with a width of 6 cm (2.25 in).

Tip:

Try the ring on your head.

If it fits well — perfect!

If it's too tight, widen the inner circle slightly for comfort.

1. Measure and draw the rectangle:

Take your head measurement — in this case, 58 cm (22.8 in).

Draw a rectangle that's 20 cm tall (7.9 in) by the length of your measurement.

→ Example: 20 cm x 58 cm (7.9 in x 22.8 in)

2. Cut and attach:

Cut out the rectangle and glue it to the inner edge of the brim using a hot glue gun.

And just like that, most of your hat base is done!

1. Cut the cardboard strip:

Cut a strip of cardboard measuring approximately 7 cm x 26 cm (2.8 in x 10.2 in).

On one of the short sides, mark 1.5 cm (0.6 in) and fold it down — this will help with support.

2. Shape and fit it into the hat:

On the opposite end, begin to fold the strip gently as you insert it into the hat. Adjust it until you find the right spot and size to fit your bottle.

The strip should be glued in at a slight angle, since that’s where your small, long bottle will sit.

(In this example, a hydration bottle is used.)

3. Prepare the bottle:

While the support is being glued, make a small hole in the bottle cap.

Insert a straw (or a small tube if you don't have one), and seal it with hot glue for safety and leak prevention.

4. Create the straw path:

Make a hole in the lower part of the support wall to pass the straw through.

Then, make another hole in the brim of the hat, positioning it in a comfortable spot where you’ll be able to drink.

5. Prevent spills:

At the end of the straw that hangs down, bend it into a 'U' shape to avoid spills when the hat is tilted.

You can use a rubber band or small hose to hold the straw in place, leaving the tip free so you can sip your drink easily.

1. Trace the base of the cup:

Take a disposable cup and trace the outline of its base on the right side of the hat, leaving about 4 cm of space from the top edge.

2. Cut and insert:

Cut along the traced line and insert the cup diagonally, pushing it in until it touches the water bottle inside the hat.

3. Adjust the fit:

If parts of the cup stick out beyond the surface of the hat, no problem!

Mark the excess, remove the cup, trim the edges, and insert it again at the same diagonal angle.

4. Glue it in place:

Once it fits properly, secure it with hot glue — and that’s it!

You now have your very own snack holder built into the hat.

Once this is finished, it's time to glue the top of the hat.

Tip: If the bottle gets in the way, just cut a small flap so it fits properly.

Before moving on, paint the outside of the hat.

Let it dry completely before continuing.

1. Draw and cut the circles:

Start by drawing a 12 cm diameter circle on cardboard.

Inside this circle, draw two more concentric circles: one with a 9 cm diameter and another with a 6 cm diameter.

You’ll end up with three rings.

Cut out the middle ring (9 cm) like a window — not completely — leaving small cardboard bridges to keep the outer and inner rings connected.

2. Cut the side supports:

Draw an isosceles triangle with two sides of 9 cm and a base of 6 cm.

Cut out two of these triangles — they’ll be the stands for your wheel.

3. Connect the circles with skewers:

Take 8 wooden skewers:

Use 7 around the outer edge to connect both circles.

Use 1 skewer through the center for added support.

Leave a 2.5 cm gap between the circles.

Secure everything with hot glue, let it dry, then trim any excess skewer.

4. Attach the triangles:

Glue the triangles to each side of the wheel, placing the tip at the center of the circle.

Make sure both sides are aligned so the wheel stays balanced.

5. Decorate and attach:

Paint your Ferris wheel however you like!

Finally, glue it to the brim of the hat, on the opposite side of your snack and drink holder to balance the weight.

1. Make the track:

Cut a strip of cardboard measuring 1 cm x 80 cm (0.4 in x 31.5 in).

Glue one end of the strip to the top of the hat, then shape it with loops and curves, just like a real roller coaster.

2. Make the car:

Cut a small rectangle of cardboard: 1.3 cm x 5 cm (0.5 in x 2 in).

This will be your roller coaster car — glue it anywhere you like on the track.

And just like that, your extreme attraction is ready!

1. Make the main tube:

Cut a rectangle of cardboard measuring 9 cm x 12 cm (3.5 in x 4.7 in) and roll it into a long tube.

Secure it with glue.

2. Add the top structure:

Make a 1 cm tall ring and glue it around the top of the tube.

On top of that, glue a 1 cm wide ring to give it dimension.

Finish it by adding a small cardboard circle as a lid.

3. Paint and attach:

Paint and decorate your ride however you like,

then glue the bottom of the tube to the brim of your hat.

1. Create the sign:

Cut a rectangle of cardboard measuring 12 cm x 8 cm (4.7 in x 3.1 in).

Write the name of your park or simply "Amusement Park", like I did.

You can decorate it however you like — choose your favorite font, colors, or even cut the edges to give it a custom shape!

2. Attach it to the hat:

Once decorated, glue the sign to the front of the crown of your hat.

And that’s it! Your amusement park hat is complete and ready to wear!