How to a Make Top Hat (PDF, Template & Download)

Updated: May 27, 2023

Let's make a top hat from one sheet of paper!

This is an easy craft and perfect at-home craft for magicians! Here you'll find Instructions, PDF download and video instructions.

This one-page DIY magician top hat template download requires minimal supplies, takes ten minutes to construct and can easily be used as a pattern or stencil for specialty papers.

It was also designed to fit standard-sized poker playing cards perfectly!

Let's make a top hat!

Melted Snowman Top Hat
Best Papers
Printing on Black Construction Paper
What You Need
VIDEO: How to Make a Paper Top Hat
Step-by-Step Instructions
Download Top Hat PDF Template

Let's make a mini top hat with this free template below!

Mini Top Hat Template

You can use this template to make your mini-top hat designs and crafts. All the step-by-step instructions include images to help you conjure your magic in no time!

This is a great weekend activity with kids interested in magic or a magician birthday party theme.

Each of these takes about 10 minutes to make and requires a printed page template, scissors, and a glue stick. You can use the printout template on your preferred paper, or you can use it as a stencil and trace around on your favorite papers. Below we've used black construction paper with a small strip of red for the top hat's iconic red ribbon.

Download the Magician Top Hat Template here

Here's The Magician Top Hat

magicians top hat craft project made of one piece of black construction paper

This magicians top hat is made of one printed piece of paper (and a little extra for the red strip)

Magicians Or A Snowman

This one-page printable template is a great Christmas craft for a snowman or snowwoman. It's a perfect holiday craft with the kids. Just use black construction paper and a red construction paper strip.

I've included some tips for using black construction paper below.

Snowman Top Hat Template Printable

Here's a fun simple extra-fun twist on the snowman top hat template. Take a sheet of scrap recycled paper and cut it out in the shape of a puddle. Draw a carrot and two coal eyes for a perfect melted snowman & mini top hat craft.

The template below can be downloaded and printed to make this fun holiday craft.

Melted Snowman & Mini Top Hat

A fun and easy snowman craft with the mini top hat

Best Papers

The best paper is thicker construction paper or stock paper. Standard 8.5 x 11-inch printer paper.

Any paper can be used, but we suggest thicker stock papers.

Don't be afraid to use lots of glue! When the glue hardens and cures, it will give the mini top hat a little extra strength.

Printing On Black Construction Paper

To make the black magician top hat, I ran a black piece of paper through an inkjet printer, and the black ink was barely visible but enough for me to use as a cutting guideline.

Samples of our three magician hats made of black construction paper

Samples of a few examples of our magician top hat craft.

Printing directly onto specialty construction paper could be suitable for some printers.

A stencil is a great alternative.

What You'll Need

To make these crafts, we used scissors and a glue stick. We also found it easiest to trim the inside circle with a sharp knife. Always take caution and care when using sharp objects!

How to Make a Magician Hat with Construction Paper

Watch the step-by-step video and follow the DIY template instructions below!

How to Make a Magician Hat

This is super easy to make at home with basic supplies. The template is one-page and can be printed directly onto the final paper. An alternative is to use this as a stencil and trace this mini top hat template if you need to make several.

These assemble quickly, just about ten minutes, with basic supplies.

I used the following tools:

Free Magician Top Hat Template
Scissors
Glue stick
Sharp Craft Knife

Step-By-Step Instructions

Cut Out the two main pieces of the top hat template. (fig 1)

Save the larger piece of scraps for later. We'll use them to protect the surface from the glue.

Fig 1. Cut the paper top hat template in half

Cut through the dotted lines. This will allow the paper to round nicely.

scissors cut through the lines of the template

Fig 2. Cut down the top hat dotted lines

Trim away all the little bits (fig 3) and cut out the inner circles (fig 4)

Don't trim down the outer rim of the template. We'll do this step last to give a nice clean edge.

Divide the top hat's rims in half. (fig 5)

Add a 1/2 inch of glue at the top of the top hat cut-out. Use the non-printed side to hide any printer ink.

top hat paper template parts cut-out and add glue

Fig 6. Add 1/2 inch glue on the top outer edge. Use scrap paper to protect your work surface.

Roll the top hat into shape (fig 7) and slide it into the top hat rim for fitting (fig 8). After you've adjusted the size, give it a good firm press. Make sure all the glue is holding nicely.

Set aside the rim of the top hat.

Glue both rims of the top hat.

top hat paper template rims glued together

Fig 9. Glue both top hat rim inner circles. Be sure to use lots of glue.

Bend the top pointed top hat bits out.

Bend the bottom bits in.

Adhere the two top hat rims and the top hat bits sandwiched between.

paper top hat template aligned and glued

Fig 12. Align and center the top hat rims.

Press firmly and make sure the glue gets good contact.

pressing the glued top hat pieces together

Fig 13. Press the glue firmly.

Glue the two-round cut-outs.

Fig 14. Glue the inner circle top hat pieces.

Center the top hat over the giant round cut-out. Slide the smaller circle cut-out into the top hat.

Use a glue stick to press down firmly inside the top hat.

magician top hat printable template being glued together

Fig 15. Align top hat over circle piece. Add inner circle. Use the glue stick to make firm contact.

Trim the mini top hat rim and any excess on the bottom.

Fig 16. Trim the top hat rim and any excess paper.

It perfectly fits poker-sized playing cards.

We created the hat template download below to fit the magician's other favorite tool, playing cards! These top hat templates perfectly accommodate a standard poker-sized deck of cards 2.5 x 3.5 inches (63.5 x 88.9mm).

A great table centrepiece for a themed event or party.