8 min read
Age: Suitable for ages 7+
8 min read
Age: Suitable for ages 7+
A handmade birthday crown isn’t just a fun craft — it’s a lovely way to make your child feel special on their big day. With our easy guide to paper crown craft, you’ll create a colourful crown in no time, perfect for a seaside or party theme.
Sturdy A3 cardboard or coloured paper
Glitter and metallic paper in various colours
Crêpe paper in different shades
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil or white colouring pencil
Craft knife and cutting mat
Clips (to hold parts while drying)
Stapler
- Sturdy A3 cardboard or coloured paper
- Glitter and metallic paper in various colours
- Crêpe paper in different shades
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Pencil or white colouring pencil
- (Optional) Craft knife and cutting mat
- Pritt Glue Stick
- Pritt Multipurpose Glue
- Clips (to hold parts while drying)
- Stapler
Always supervise children when using sharp tools.
Around 60 minutes + drying time (approx. 2–3 hours or overnight)
Let’s begin by measuring the birthday child’s head and adding about 5 cm – this little extra makes it easier to glue the crown together later. Mark the full length on your A3 cardboard. Print out the birthday crown craft template (you’ll find it at the end of this guide) and trace the crown points side by side onto your paper.
Carefully cut out the base shape for your handmade paper crown along the pre-drawn line. Take your time and follow the zigzags precisely.
Cut several strips from coloured and glitter paper, each about 3 cm wide. Use scissors or – with an adult’s help – a craft knife and cutting mat. A ruler helps you cut straight lines.
Time for some detail work! Cut the strips into pieces about 3 to 4 cm long. Then round off one end of each piece to create a soft, fish-scale shape. These colourful scales will make your crown shimmer beautifully.
This is where the fun begins – it’s time to glue! Take your Pritt Glue Stick and attach the paper scales in a colourful, overlapping pattern on your crown base. Start at the middle point and work towards the sides. Add at least two slightly staggered rows of scales, so your crown looks truly majestic.
Tip:
Turn your crown making with paper into teamwork – while parents cut, children can already start gluing.
Let’s move on to the wavy border! Choose two colours of crêpe paper. Cut a strip of the first colour, about 9 cm wide and as long as your crown base. Fold the long edge several times at intervals of 6 to 8 cm, like an accordion. Then trim one of the open sides – the one without folds – into smooth, rounded curves. This will create lovely waves for your crown.
Now it’s the second colour’s turn! Cut a strip about 6 cm wide and just as long as your crown base. Fold it every 10 cm and cut one of the open sides into gentle curves again. This gives you the second layer of waves – for extra colour and volume.
Unfold both crêpe paper strips and smooth them out carefully. Glue the wider strip first, then the narrower one along the lower edge of your crown using your Pritt Glue Stick. Begin in the centre and work your way towards the sides. Make sure the wider strip covers the ends of the paper scales.
Almost there! Cut three strips of glitter paper about 3 cm wide – you’ll need several to cover the entire lower edge of your crown.
Glue the glitter strips neatly along the lower edge of the crown, right on top of the crêpe paper. Use Pritt Multipurpose Glue for best results. Secure the border with clips if needed and let everything dry thoroughly.
Test how the crown fits to make sure it’s just right – not too tight, not too loose. Glue or staple the ends together. If you use glue, press the ends firmly, secure them with clips and leave the crown to dry completely.