Cat in the Hat Hat (Free Printable Hat And Bowtie)

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Bring storytime to life with this free Cat in the Hat-themed printable.

Kids can color the famous striped hat, attach it to the adjustable paper headband, and add the matching bow tie for a fun wearable craft inspired by the classic character.

This simple Cat in the Hat craft is perfect for preschool, kindergarten, elementary classrooms, homeschool activities, library storytime, Dr. Seuss Week, and Read Across America celebrations. It combines coloring, cutting, and imaginative play in one easy printable activity.

As a longtime homeschool mom and homeschool co-op teacher, I have found that simple wearable crafts are often the activities children remember most. They enjoy making the project, but they become even more excited when they can put it on and use it for pretend play or a story-related activity.

Print the template, gather a few basic craft supplies, and let your young readers create their own recognizable red-and-white hat.

Free Cat in the Hat Hat Printable

This free Cat in the Hat hat printable is designed to become a wearable paper headband. Children can color the stripes, cut out the pieces, and attach the hat to the included band.

The printable also includes a bow tie that can be used as part of a costume, attached to a craft stick, or added to another Cat in the Hat craft.

You can use the template for:

• Read Across America activities
• Dr. Seuss Week
• Storybook character day
• Preschool and kindergarten crafts
• Library story time
• Classroom literacy centers
• Homeschool reading lessons
• Book-themed birthday parties
• Dramatic play
• A simple Cat in the Hat costume

The activity requires very little preparation, especially when you print the template directly onto cardstock.

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What Is Included in the Printable?

The printable Cat in the Hat template includes the pieces children need to create a wearable paper hat.

Inside the printable, you will find:

• A tall Cat in the Hat hat outline
• Striped sections for children to color
• A printable headband
• An extra band piece for adjusting the size
• A Cat in the Hat bow tie

The black-and-white design gives children an opportunity to personalize the craft. They can use the familiar red-and-white color scheme or invent an entirely new hat using their favorite colors and patterns.

For a faster classroom activity, consider coloring one completed example before the children begin. A sample helps younger children understand how the pieces fit together without limiting their creativity.

Supplies For The Cat in the Hat Hat Craft

You only need a few basic supplies to make this printable Cat in the Hat headband:

• Free printable hat template and bowtie
• White cardstock or heavyweight paper
• Red crayons, markers, or colored pencils
• Scissors
• Glue or clear tape
• Stapler, optional

Cardstock works better than regular printer paper because it helps the tall hat remain upright while a child is wearing it.

Regular paper can still be used, but you may want to glue the printed hat onto a thin piece of cardboard or construction paper before cutting it out.

How to Make a Cat in the Hat Hat

Print the Hat Template

Download the free printable at the bottom of this post and print it at full size.

Select “actual size” or 100 percent in your printer settings. Avoid choosing “fit to page” unless the design is being cut off by your printer.

For the sturdiest result, print the template on white cardstock.

Color the Red and White Stripes

Invite children to color every other stripe red, leaving the remaining stripes white.

Crayons are usually the easiest choice for preschoolers. Markers create brighter stripes, while colored pencils offer more control for older children.

This is also a good opportunity to practice simple pattern recognition. Ask children to identify the repeating red-and-white pattern as they color.

Cut Out the Hat

Cut around the outside edge of the hat.

Young children may need help cutting around the curves and narrow areas. Preschoolers can practice cutting the straight sections while an adult completes the more difficult parts.

Always supervise children while they use scissors and staplers.

Cut Out the Headband Pieces

Cut out the long printable band and the additional extension strip.

The extension allows the headband to be adjusted for different head sizes. You can also replace the printed band with a strip of white construction paper when you need a longer or sturdier band.

Attach the Hat to the Band

Center the bottom of the hat on the front of the headband. Secure it with glue, tape, or staples.

Glue creates a neat finish but needs a little drying time. Tape is often the quickest option when several children are making the craft at once.

When using staples, make sure the smooth side faces the child’s head and that no sharp edges are exposed.

Fit the Headband

Wrap the paper band loosely around the child’s head and mark where the ends overlap.

Remove the band before attaching the ends. Tape or staple them together at the marked point.

The headband should fit comfortably without being tight.

Add the Printable Bow Tie

Color and cut out the included bow tie.

Children can tape it to their shirts, glue it to a paper collar, attach it to a craft stick, or use it as part of another Cat in the Hat project.

Now the printable costume is ready for reading, pretend play, photographs, or a classroom parade.

Tips for Making the Hat with a Classroom

Wearable crafts are exciting for children, but preparing materials for an entire class can become time-consuming. A little advance preparation makes this activity much easier.

Print one template for each child and write each student’s name on the back before passing them out. This prevents the finished hats from getting mixed up.

For preschool or pre-K students, consider cutting out the headband strips beforehand. The children can concentrate on coloring the hat and practicing the easier cutting sections.

Set out only the supplies needed for each step. I have found that children work more independently when the table is not crowded with unnecessary materials.

It also helps to place a table covering underneath the craft and have children wear old shirts or art smocks when using markers or paint.

For a large group, tape is usually faster than waiting for glue to dry. You can also have an adult or classroom helper fit and attach each headband after the children finish coloring.

Educational Benefits of This Printable Hat Craft

Fine Motor Skills

Coloring, cutting, gluing, and handling paper pieces strengthen the small muscles in the hands and fingers. These are the same muscles children use for handwriting, fastening clothing, and completing other everyday tasks.

Scissor Skills

The hat features both straight and curved edges, making it useful for children developing cutting control.

Younger children may need adult assistance, while kindergarten and early elementary students can try cutting the entire design independently.

Pattern Recognition

The familiar alternating stripes provide an easy introduction to repeating patterns.

Ask children which color comes next, or invite them to create a different pattern using two or three colors.

Following Directions

Assembling the headband encourages children to complete a sequence of steps in the correct order: print, color, cut, attach, and wear.

Reading Engagement

A printable hat can make story time feel like a special event. Children may be more eager to discuss a book when they can dress as one of its recognizable characters.

Ways to Use the Cat in the Hat Headband

Wear It During Story Time

Have children wear their hats while listening to a read-aloud. Afterward, ask them to draw their favorite part of the story or describe one event they remember.

Create a Storybook Character Parade

Invite children to walk through the classroom, library, or homeschool room dressed as favorite book characters.

Add a Writing Prompt

After making the craft, give children a simple prompt such as:

• If the Cat visited my house, we would…
• A silly trick I would show the Cat is…
• Under my hat, I would hide…
• On a rainy day, I like to…

Preschoolers can dictate their answers to an adult, while older students can write several sentences.

Practice Rhyming Words

Write simple words such as “cat,” “hat,” “mat,” and “sat” on index cards. Let children identify the words that rhyme.

You can also invite them to think of additional words in the same word family.

Set Up a Photo Area

Create a simple backdrop with red, white, and blue paper. Children can wear their printable hats and bow ties for classroom or family photographs.

Use the Hat for Dramatic Play

Place the completed headbands in a dress-up area with books, puppets, and other storytelling props.

Children can retell familiar parts of the story or invent an entirely new adventure.

Cat in the Hat Craft Variations

There is no rule that every finished hat must look exactly the same. Giving children a few creative choices can make the activity more meaningful.

Try one of these variations:

• Glue red tissue-paper squares onto the stripes.
• Paint the stripes instead of coloring them.
• Add red pom-poms for a textured hat.
• Decorate the white stripes with silver glitter glue.
• Make a rainbow-striped version.
• Add the child’s name to the headband.
• Glue the hat onto a paper plate character.
• Attach the hat to a wooden craft stick to make a photo prop.
• Use the outline as a tracing template on red-and-white construction paper.
• Turn several completed hats into a classroom bulletin board display.

The hat can also serve as the starting point for a larger book activity. Children might draw a face beneath it, create a paper-bag puppet, or make a full storybook character collage.

How to Print the Cat in the Hat Hat Template

Download the PDF file and save it to your computer before printing. Printing from a saved file usually produces clearer results than printing directly from a web browser.

Use these printer settings:

• Paper size: US Letter, 8.5 by 11 inches
• Orientation: Portrait
• Scale: Actual size or 100 percent
• Color setting: Black and white
• Paper: White cardstock recommended

Print one copy first and check the size before making copies for a class or group.

Dr. Seuss Books to Read with This Craft

This Cat in the Hat hat printable is a fun activity to pair with a Dr. Seuss read-aloud. Children can wear their finished hats during storytime or while participating in a classroom reading celebration.

A few Dr. Seuss books you might enjoy reading include:

• The Cat in the Hat
• The Cat in the Hat Comes Back
• Green Eggs and Ham
• One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish
• Fox in Socks
• Hop on Pop
• Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
• Horton Hears a Who!
• The Lorax
• There’s a Wocket in My Pocket!

Choose one book for a simple storytime activity, or use several throughout Dr. Seuss Week and Read Across America.

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More Dr. Seuss Crafts and Printables

Continue your reading celebration with these creative activities:

• Dr. Seuss Free SVG’s
• Grinch Pumpkin Carving Template
• Cat in the Hat Handprint Art
• Thing 1 and Thing 2 Craft
• Free “The Grinch” SVG
• Free Dr. Seuss Coloring Pages
• Dr. Seuss One Fish Two Fish Craft

These projects can be used together to create a full week of storybook crafts, reading activities, and imaginative play.

Download the Free Cat in the Hat Hat Printable

This Cat in the Hat hat printable is an easy way to combine reading, creativity, and pretend play. Children can color the striped hat, assemble the adjustable headband, add the matching bow tie, and proudly wear their finished creation.

Print the free template for your next story time, classroom celebration, homeschool lesson, or book-themed activity.

Please remember that this printable is intended for personal use and individual classroom use. The digital file may not be sold, redistributed, or uploaded to another website.

We hope you enjoy this Dr. Seuss Craft and the Cat in the Hat. Happy Dr. Seuss Week!

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