close-up of two kids with their painted bucket hats

Crafts

Paint Your Own Bucket Hat

Summer is winding down but there’s still time for one last craft. And, what do we need in this summer heat? Bucket Hats!

They are all the rage right now but what’s even more fun and fashionable? Decorating your own bucket hat!

Supplies you’ll need to Decorate your own Bucket Hat:

a plain white cotton bucket hat (we used these)
fabric paint
paint brushes (and paper plates as a paint palette)
extra trim (optional)

Painting hats is pretty self-explanatory but why not take this summer craft outdoors and enjoy it at the park or in your front yard? This way you get lots of fresh air and you don’t have to worry about getting paint on your carpet! Just pack a blanket that you don’t mind getting extra painty charm on, a few paper plates for paint palettes, and you are ready to go.

What you paint on the hats is really up to you. We painted a great big flower on one and the other hat we let our little guy go crazy. Sometimes it’s hard to let littles make a mess when we have visions of bright colors not blending together into a muddy brown… but it’s really important that children learn how to paint by themselves. Not to mention it’s really fun if you can embrace the mess. It’s good for motor skills and they will treasure their creation more if you let them “do it all by themselves.” As they get bigger you’ll treasure it, too.

A little finger painting isn’t a bad idea either. If you are really not liking letting kids go crazy, then just limit the color palette. Even one color could be fun.