Medieval Crown

Supplies

Construction paper
Scissors
Glue
Gold poster paint
Paint brush
Palette
Scissors
Round paper fastener
Scotch tape
Red crepe paper (optional)
Things to decorate your crown with: plastic gems, glitter glue, puffy paint, rhinestones, metallic paper, etc.

Instructions

This craft is intended for kids 9 years and above. Younger kids will need adult help and supervision in doing the craft.

Small objects such as beads and rhinestones can be a choking hazard for young kids. These should be used with adult supervision.

Cut out a 1.5 to 2-inch wide strip of yellow construction paper long enough to go around your head. Note that this piece will be the crown\'s base so the construction paper should be relatively stiff or heavy to ensure a sturdy crown. If your construction paper is flimsy, glue two strips together face-to-face. 

Glue the ends of the strip to form a circle. 

Cut out two 1.5-inch wide and 10-inch long strips of black or brown construction paper (or a color that would best blend with your hair color). 

Glue the first strip across the middle section of the base, spanning the circle\'s diameter. This strip will define the crown\'s fit on your head and should follow your head\'s contour. Try on the crown and adjust the strip\'s position while the glue hasn\'t quite set yet.

Position the second strip perpendicular to and at roughly the same height as the first. Glue the ends in place.

Reinforce each strip\'s connection to the base with scotch tape. These two strips should be well-anchored since they form the supports or frame for your crown.

Cut out six 1.5-inch wide and 7 to 8-inch long strips of yellow construction paper.

Curve out the strips on one end. 

Punch a hole on the curved end of each strip.

Punch out a hole at the center of both supports as well.

Glue the strips from inside the base at the 12 o\'clock, 2 o\'clock, 4 o\'clock, 6 o\'clock, 8 o\'clock, and 10 o\'clock positions. Try to glue the strips at the same height along the base.

If you want to create a lining for your crown similar to the fabric lining for a real royal crown, cut out "half-petal" or "hill" shapes from red crepe paper. Glue the base of these crepe paper shapes along the upper edge of the crown\'s base and the tips onto the center of the crown supports. If you prefer not to cover your crown, skip this step.

Create a cross-shaped crown topper: (1.) Draw and cut two identical crosses on construction paper. Notice that each cross should have a rectangular extension (or tab) at the bottom; (2.) Crease each cross along the bottom tabs; (3.) Glue the crosses face-to-face except at the bottom tabs and fold out each tab; (4.) Punch a hole on one bottom tab.

Insert the ends of a round paper fastener through the hole on the cross\' bottom tab.

Next, insert the paper fastener\'s ends through the hole on one of the crown\'s six strips.

Continue with the rest of the strips until you\'ve gathered them all by the paper fastener.

Now, insert the ends of the paper fastener through the holes on the supports, easily puncturing the crepe paper cover. Split the ends of the fastener from the inside of the crown.

For safety, cover the split ends of the paper fastener with tape or glue on a small piece of paper. 

Paint the entire surface of your crown with gold poster paint, taking note to leave the supports unpainted. If you used yellow construction paper, you can leave your crown unpainted.

Decorate your crown with gems and jewels with any of these materials: plastic gems, rhinestones, gem-style stickers, beads, glitter glue, puffy paint, etc.

You can take a peek at our Bejeweled Crown craft for bejeweling tips and ideas.

This craft is reprinted courtesy of FistPalette.com.