This printable sombrero craft is a colorful paper project for Cinco de Mayo or a Mexican-themed party. It also makes a great party prop and table decoration, as you’ll see!
Everything for this craft is already laid out on the printable sombrero template — you just print it on colored cardstock, cut the pieces, and assemble a paper sombrero. The template is designed to be simple to cut and assemble, so it’s a great craft for kids (best for aged 6 and up).
The finished sombrero is small, and surprisingly versatile. You can turn it into a wearable party prop with an elastic string, or glue a magnet underneath and use it to decorate jars and bottles (my pickle jar is currently wearing one 😄).
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What You’ll Need*:
- The printable sombrero template
- Colorful cardstock for printers
- Safety scissors (or regular ones if it’s safe)
- Glue stick (I used Pritt but any kind works) – recommended for most steps
- Liquid glue (like school glue) – preferred for some steps
Decoration suggestions:
- Round stickers
- Colorful paper cuttings
- Paper circles from a hole punch
For a wearable sombrero party prop:
For a sombrero that clips to jars and bottles:
*Includes Amazon affiliate links
How to make the paper sombrero
1. Print the sombrero template on colorful paper of different colors: print pages 1-2 on one color (I used yellow), and page 3 on a different color (I used red).
2. Cut out the parts along the solid lines. Try to cut just inside the lines so the shapes stay clean (no lines showing). This matters mostly for the sombrero brim and the brim edge pieces.
On the sombrero cone piece: Cut along the short lines of the ‘glue’ tabs to create small flaps (but don’t cut past the end of each line). These flaps will help us glue the pieces together.
3. Use a glue stick to glue the decorations on the cone: the smooth cone band and the zigzag cone band.
4. Fold the small ‘glue’ tabs on the cone backwards (so the dashed lines stay visible outside the fold). Don’t fold the big tab on the side.
5. Roll the cone and use a glue stick to glue the side tab closed. Align the edge with the dotted line and hold until it sticks.
6. Spread liquid glue on the tabs at the top of the cone and attach the top of the hat (the circle). The circle is slightly bigger to allow for small mistakes — trim the extra edge with scissors.
7. Optional – for making it a party prop:
Punch two holes close together near one edge of the brim, and two near the opposite edge. These are for threading an elastic string later.
8. Prepare the brim edge:
Glue the two brim edge parts together to make one long strip.
Glue the brim edge decoration on top of the strip.
9. Attach the brim edge to the brim:
Fold the pointy tabs on the brim upwards.
Using a glue stick, spread glue on the outside of the pointy tabs (the side that faces away from the brim’s center).
Place the brim flat on the table. Stick the brim edge around the tabs, with the decorated side facing out. The table will help you keep the brim edge upright.
Once you are done, glue the ends of the brim edge together to close the circle.
10. Attach the cone:
Make sure the bottom tabs of the cone are folded inward. Apply liquid glue to the tabs and press the cone into the center of the brim. Hold gently until it sticks.
11. Decorate! This is the fun part 🙂
You can keep it simple or add:
- paper circles (made with a hole punch)
- stickers
- small colorful shapes
- markers
- any other creative idea you have!
Add elastic (to make a wearable party prop): Thread the elastic string through the two holes on each side of the sombrero brim, check the length, and tie the ends underneath the sombrero.
Add a magnet (for a wind-proof fiesta party decoration): Glue a small magnet to the bottom of the sombrero.
This paper sombrero works nicely as a Cinco de Mayo craft for kids, a fiesta craft, or a simple Mexican-themed activity at home.
You can make a whole set of sombreros in different colors and use them as decorations, or let kids make their own at your party and take them home.
Want to match it with a party invitation?
If you’re planning a fiesta, or a Mexican-themed birthday party, I also made an editable party invitation you can use — available in my shop.
It’s a Canva template — you get a link, open it in Canva (no Pro account needed), and change the text to match your event.
You can find it here: Printable Invitation for a Mexican Fiesta Party
* All the free printables in my website are for personal, non-commercial use. Please always share them with a link and credit. Thanks!
