Here’s a fun Thanksgiving day craft that the whole family can do!

When it comes to Thanksgiving, one of the highlights for children is making crafts. There are lots of great projects that they can create to commemorate the arrival of the pilgrims. Many particularly enjoy making things they can wear, so this pioneer’s bonnet is sure to be a hit. And for teachers who are having a Thanksgiving play or a pilgrim dress-up day, it can be particularly useful. Here is how to make it.

What You Need

* Size 12 or 16 paper bag
* Pencil
* Scissors
* Ruler
* 8 ½ by 11” sheet of construction paper
* Clear tape
* 5 feet of ribbon

Instructions

1. Open the paper bag and lay it on one of the narrow sides. On the top narrow side, cut down the center from the top to approximately 4 inches from the bottom. Then cut from that point to the fold on both sides, creating two flaps.

2. Open the flaps outward and turn the bag over, with the flap side down. Flatten it slightly at the open end.

3. On the uncut narrow side, measure 12 inches from the bottom of the bag and make a mark. Draw an arch starting at that point and going around to the other edge of one side of the bag. Cut on the line, going through both sides of the bag at once.

4. Open the bonnet. Tuck in the corners of the bottom of the bag to give it a more rounded appearance.

5. Fold the piece of construction paper in half lengthwise. Tape the paper inside the top of the bonnet, with the folded edge parallel with the back and about 2 inches from it.

6. Cut a slit in the fold of each side flap of the bonnet, about 4 inches from the front. Place the ribbon over the top of the bonnet, thread it through the slits, and fold the flaps up a bit. Put the bonnet on the child’s head and tie underneath the chin.

Tips

* If you can find them, white paper bags make an especially pretty bonnet. But they also look lovely in brown.

* It doesn’t matter what color of construction paper you use, but light colors are less likely to show through the finished bonnet – especially if the bag you’re using is thin or white. If you don’t have any construction paper, card stock also works well.

* Curling the ends of the ribbon after it’s tied adds a nice touch. To do this, open a pair of scissors, place the flat part of the blade against the underside close to the tied part, and run the blade along the length quickly, going all the way to the end.