I came up with a really neat Thanksgiving project that’s inspired by Pilgrim hats and is really fun to do with kids.  They are simple place cards for your Thanksgiving table that are also party favors.  Two for one!  I like it! You can do these up completely ahead of time or you can just do the messy painting parts ahead of time and then let the kids finish them on Thanksgiving Day while you work on dinner. Let’s start making some Pilgrim hats!

First, take your standard issue toilet paper roll and cut it in half.

Paint the halves with black acrylic paint.  Don’t worry about painting the insides because you won’t see them.  After the paint is dry, smush the top together a little and cut a small slit in each side.  This slit will hold your place card later.

Now, cut a circle out of black foam slightly larger than your painted tube to make the brim of the hat.  I discovered that a baby food jar lid is about the right size to use as a template, so I used that to trace all my circles.

Cut a quick square buckle out of some yellow foam.  I happened to have sticker foam on hand, so I was able to peel and stick.  If you use regular foam (or paper) just glue it on.

Use a bead of glue to affix the foam circle you cut to the tube, which finishes the hat.  For the place cards, just cut some coordinating card stock into rectangles and write the names on them.  You could also cut two different colors of card stock, using one as the mat, for an extra fancy card.

Fill each Pilgrim hat with Hershey’s Kisses or any other wrapped candy, and then slide the place name card into the slots you cut earlier.  So easy and inexpensive!  Little Jo loved helping me make these for everyone coming to our Thanksgiving dinner this year.