Many of the activities on these pages may require adult supervision.
Be sure to tell a grown-up about what you're planning and ask for permission before getting started.

King

To make a crown: cut a pointed design along a strip of cardboard. Fold around your head and tape so it fits you. Reinforce with staples. Cover crown with aluminum foil.

Cape: Fold a small blanket in half. Tie it loosely around your neck with a rope. A royal-purple, royal-blue, or wine-red blanket is best.

Scepter: Cover a stick with foil. Stick it into a round ball of foil. Tie a ribbon beneath the ball.

Queen

You can be dressed like the king, but if you want to be different, here are two more ways to make a crown:

(1) Measure around your head, then cut a strip of cardboard 5 inches high and 1 inch longer than your head measurement. Cut a fancy design out of the cardboard, then spray the crown gold. Glue on feathers, fake jewels, stones, and braid. Staple the crown closed.

(2) Make a cylindrical hat like a wizard's hat and paint it. Hang a scarf from the end of it. This kind of hat is called a hennin.

Wizard

A wizard has a cape, a long staff, and a pointed hat. To make a wizard's hat, draw a 2-foot circle on a big piece of oaktag. Cut a line into the center.

Fold the circle around to make a tall pointed hat. Try it on. Tape the hat to fit your head. Paint astrological symbols on your hat.

Witch's Hat

A witch's hat looks hard to make, but it really isn't. Try it. Once you learn how, you can use this way of making hats for any other kind that needs a brim.

1. Make a cone hat, like the wizard's hat above. Make sure it fits right. Then set it on a piece of cardboard and trace around it.

2. To make the brim, draw a circle 2 inches wider all around. Then draw a circle 1 inch smaller. Cut out the brim on these two new lines (not the line you first traced). Snip the inside of the brim almost to the traced line but not quite.

3. Slip the brim over the cone hat. Push it almost but not quite to the end. Tape the tabs upward so the brim is secure. Paint the hat black. If necessary, tape or staple a piece of elastic to each side to hold it on your head.

Skeleton

Using as large a paper bag as you can find, cut a hole in the top for your head and holes in the sides for your arms. If the hole at the top is too small, cut a little slit in the back so that it opens up wider to go over your head. Paint the bag black. When dry, use white paint to paint a skeleton on the bag. If you like, you can paint a skull face on a smaller bag and wear it on your head. In any case, cut holes for your eyes and a hole for your
nose or mouth.

Robot

Find a box that fits your head and a box that fits your body, or torso. Cut a hole in the torso box so that it fits over your head and cut armholes that are comfortable. If necessary, cut the head box short so that it rests on top of the torso box. Cut eyeholes and a nose/mouth breathing hole. Cut holes for ears too. Spray the boxes silver. Glue nuts, bolts, and other hardware on for decoration. This costume can be easily be adapted for an astronaut's space suit.

Dragon or Dinosaur

One person wears a big box for the head. The next people wear medium-size boxes for the body, and each holds the box of the person in front. Paint and decorate the boxes so that they look like one animal when put together in a row. Make eyeholes in the front of each box so the person inside can see. This beast has cone-shaped horns taped down its back.

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