To make a paper crown, cut a strip of cardstock about 1 in (2.5 cm) longer than the wearer’s head measurement and 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm) tall, cut points along the top, decorate it flat, and join the ends into a ring. A basic crown takes about 15 to 20 minutes, plus drying time if you use glue or paint.
The part that decides whether the crown gets worn is the fit, so most of this guide is about measuring and sizing. If you need crowns for a whole table of guests and are short on time, ready-made paper crowns skip the cutting.
What is a paper crown?
A paper crown is a band of paper or cardstock shaped into a ring, with points, scallops or arches cut along the top edge. It is worn for birthdays, classroom celebrations, school plays, holiday dinners and dress-up. There are two common sizes: a full crown that wraps the whole head, and a mini crown that perches on top and is held with elastic or clips.
How to use paper to make a crown: what you need
- Cardstock, poster board or construction paper. Cardstock around 65 lb (176 gsm) or heavier keeps points upright.
- A soft tape measure, or string and a ruler.
- A pencil and a ruler.
- Scissors.
- Double-sided tape, clear tape, a glue stick or a stapler.
- Decorations: markers, stickers, paper shapes, foil, pom poms or adhesive gems.
Paper length matters more than people expect. A letter-size sheet is 11 in long, so one strip will not go around any head. Two 11 in strips joined with a 1 in overlap make a 21 in band, which closes to about 20 in around, enough for most young children. For older kids and adults, add a third strip or use a 12 x 18 in construction sheet (two strips) or a 22 x 28 in poster board (one strip).
Adult supervision: scissors, staplers and small decorations such as gems and pom poms need a grown-up nearby when young children are crafting. Pre-cut the strips for the youngest ones and let them do the decorating.
How to make a paper crown, step by step
1. Measure the head
Wrap a soft tape measure around the head just above the eyebrows and the tops of the ears, where a hat band would sit. No tape measure? Use string, pinch the spot where it meets, and lay it against a ruler. For a surprise birthday crown, measure a cap or hat that fits the person instead.
2. Cut the strip
Cut the strip 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm) tall and about 1 in (2.5 cm) longer than the head measurement. The extra inch is the overlap where the ends join. If you are joining shorter strips, overlap them by 1 in and tape both the front and the back of each seam so it does not hinge.
3. Mark and cut the points
Draw a light pencil line 1.5 to 2 in (4 to 5 cm) above the bottom edge. Nothing gets cut below this line; it is the band that holds the crown together. Above it, mark the peaks. Two easy ways:
- Ruler method. Make a mark every 2 in along the top edge and every 2 in along the band line, offset by 1 in. Connect the marks in a zigzag and cut along it. A 22 in strip gives about 11 points.
- Fold method. Fold the strip in half three times so you have eight stacked panels. Cut one peak through the whole stack, from the center of the top edge down to the band line at each side. Unfold for eight matching points. This works with paper and light cardstock; heavy cardstock is too thick to cut through eight layers.
For a softer shape, round the tips or cut scallops instead of sharp peaks. Rounded tips also hold up better when a child handles the crown.
4. Decorate while it is flat
Coloring, gluing and writing a name are all easier on a flat strip than on a ring. Keep heavy decorations low on the band; weight at the tips makes points fold over. Let glue and paint dry completely before you bend the strip, or it may crack and smear.
5. Test the fit, then join
Wrap the strip around the head and hold the overlap with a paper clip. The crown should sit level and stay put when the wearer nods, without pressing a line into the forehead. Then fasten the overlap. Double-sided tape gives the flattest seam. If you staple, put the smooth side of the staple toward the head and cover the prongs with tape so they do not catch hair.
Paper crown sizes: band length for kids and adults
Measuring the actual head is always more reliable than going by age. When you cannot measure, for example when you are preparing crowns for a class or a guest list, the ranges below are a common rule of thumb. Cut toward the long end and trim at the fitting.
| Wearer | Typical head circumference | Band length to cut (with 1 in overlap) |
|---|---|---|
| Toddlers, 1 to 2 years | 18 to 19 in (46 to 48 cm) | 19 to 20 in (48 to 51 cm) |
| Preschoolers, 3 to 5 years | 19.5 to 20.5 in (50 to 52 cm) | 20.5 to 21.5 in (52 to 55 cm) |
| Kids, 6 to 10 years | 20.5 to 21.5 in (52 to 55 cm) | 21.5 to 22.5 in (55 to 57 cm) |
| Tweens and teens | 21 to 22.5 in (53 to 57 cm) | 22 to 23.5 in (56 to 60 cm) |
| Adults | 21.5 to 23.5 in (55 to 60 cm) | 22.5 to 24.5 in (57 to 62 cm) |
Thick or styled hair adds to the measurement, so measure over the hairstyle the person will wear on the day. For mixed groups, an adjustable crown is the practical answer: cut the band 25 in long, cut a vertical slit halfway down from the top near one end and halfway up from the bottom near the other, and slot them together at the fitting. Our party hat size guide has more on fitting hats to different ages.
How to make a birthday crown
A birthday crown is the same band with a few changes that mark out the guest of honor:
- Make the center point taller than the rest, about 1 in higher, and put the age or initial on it.
- Write the name along the band in thick marker before decorating around it.
- Use a different color or a metallic cardstock for the birthday person, and plain colors for guests.
- Add one paper candle shape per year behind the points for small ages.
Felt birthday crown: how to make one
Felt makes a soft crown that can come out again each year. Use stiff craft felt, or two layers of regular felt glued or stitched together, cut to the same shape as a paper crown but about 3 in shorter than the head measurement. Close the gap at the back with a piece of elastic or a ribbon tie so it adjusts as the child grows. Fabric glue works if you do not sew; give it time to set before wearing.
Paper crown craft ideas
Paper crown ideas for kids
- Color-your-own. Hand out plain white bands and markers as the first party activity.
- Sticker crowns. Dot stickers and foam shapes need no glue or drying time, which suits toddlers and classrooms.
- Animal crowns. Swap points for two ears: rounded for a bear, tall for a bunny, triangles for a cat.
- Nature crowns. Tape leaves or paper flowers to the band for a garden party.
Birthday crown ideas for boys and for girls
Themes work better than color rules. Popular directions are a knight or king crown with square castle-style notches, a dinosaur crown with a row of triangle spikes, a superhero band with a star on the center point, a flower crown with paper petals, or a princess-style crown with rounded arches and adhesive gems. Let the birthday child pick the theme and the color.
Paper crown ideas for adults
For adults, keep the shape simple and the material better: metallic gold or black cardstock, a lower profile with 2 in points, and one line of lettering such as a milestone age. Paper crowns also work as place settings at a holiday dinner, one flat at each plate. Remember the longer band; an 11 in sheet needs three strips for most adults.
How to put on a birthday crown and keep it on
Set a full crown level on the head, just above the eyebrows, with the seam at the back. If it slides down, the band is too long: open the seam and overlap it another half inch. If it pops up and off, it is too tight or sitting too high on the head.
- For active kids, punch a hole on each side above the ears and tie on thin elastic to run under the chin or behind the head under the hair.
- Two bobby pins slid over the bottom edge of the band and into the hair hold a crown through games and cake.
- A strip of felt or soft tape inside the front of the band adds grip and comfort.
Mini crowns are worn differently. They sit on top of the head, slightly forward or tilted to one side, and the elastic does the holding. See our guide on keeping party hats on kids for more ways to adjust elastic without it pinching.
When a ready-made paper crown saves time
Making one crown for the birthday child is a pleasant 20-minute project. Making a dozen the night before a party is a different job. Ready-made crowns make sense when you need matching crowns for several guests, when you want a metallic or glitter finish that is messy to do at home, or when the crown is for photos and should look crisp.
Our mini gold paper crowns are one option. The pack has six crowns in two shapes, three prince styles 3.9 in tall and three princess styles 3.54 in tall, made of thick gold cardstock with a sealed glitter finish. They are small crowns meant to sit on top of the head, not full bands that wrap around it. Each one arrives flat: you fold the tab, thread the elastic, and cut the included 16.4 ft string to the length each wearer needs.
A mix often works well: a handmade full crown for the guest of honor and mini crowns for the guests, or the other way around. You can also browse more gold crowns and birthday hats, or see how flat-packed hats go together in our paper party hat assembly guide.
Step by step
- Measure the head
Wrap a soft tape measure or a piece of string around the head just above the eyebrows and ears. Note the number in inches or centimeters.
- Cut the strip
Cut cardstock 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm) tall and about 1 in (2.5 cm) longer than the head measurement. Join two or three shorter strips with tape if your paper is not long enough.
- Mark and cut the points
Draw a line 1.5 to 2 in above the bottom edge to protect the band, then mark evenly spaced peaks above it and cut out the V shapes between them.
- Decorate flat
Add color, stickers, a name or paper gems while the strip lies flat on the table. Let glue and paint dry fully.
- Test the fit
Wrap the strip around the head and hold the overlap with a paper clip. It should sit level without sliding down over the ears.
- Join the ends
Fasten the overlap with double-sided tape, a glue stick plus tape, or two staples with the smooth side facing the head. Cover staple ends with tape.
Frequently asked questions
What kind of paper is best for a paper crown?
Cardstock or poster board. Paper around 65 lb (176 gsm) or heavier keeps the points standing, while printer paper tends to droop. If thin paper is all you have, glue two layers together and let them dry flat under a book before cutting.
How long should a paper crown be for a child?
Measure the head and add about 1 in (2.5 cm) for the overlap. As a rule of thumb when you cannot measure, 20.5 to 21.5 in suits most preschoolers and 21.5 to 22.5 in suits most kids aged 6 to 10. Cut long and trim at the fitting.
Can I make a paper crown from one sheet of printer paper?
Not a full crown from a single strip, because the sheet is only 11 in long. Cut the sheet into two or three strips lengthwise and tape them end to end with 1 in overlaps. Two strips fit most young children; three fit older kids and adults.
How do I make a paper crown for a girl or a boy?
The steps and the sizing are the same for any child; only the decoration changes. Pick a theme the child likes, such as a knight, a dinosaur, flowers or a gem-covered princess crown, and adjust the point shape to match: square notches, spikes, petals or rounded arches.
Is tape, glue or a stapler better for joining the ends?
Double-sided tape gives the flattest, quickest seam. A glue stick needs to be held or clipped for a few minutes and can let go on glossy cardstock, so back it up with tape. Staples are the strongest; face the smooth side toward the head and tape over the prongs.
How do I stop the points from flopping over?
Use heavier cardstock, keep the points to about 3 in tall, and put heavy decorations on the band instead of the tips. For a crown that is already cut, tape a narrow strip of cardstock or a paper straw up the back of each drooping point.
Do the mini gold paper crowns fit adults?
They are small crowns, 3.9 in and 3.54 in tall, designed to sit on top of the head instead of wrapping around it. The elastic comes as one 16.4 ft string that you cut yourself, so you can cut a longer piece for an adult and a shorter one for a child.
Can I make paper crowns ahead of the party?
Yes. Cut and decorate the strips up to a few days ahead and store them flat in a folder or under a book. Join the ends at the party, once you can fit each band to its wearer.
