Pirate Captain
30 min$3-8Easy
Fit: Built for kids ages 3 to 10 and adults. Size the hat to the wearer’s head; the coat should fall above the knees.
Striped shirt, cardboard captain hat, and a treasure map you drew yourself.
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DIY this week: ~$3-8, 30 min
- Cut the captain hat from cardboard: a wide crescent with the front folded up, and tape the seam.
- Draw the treasure map on the brown paper with the black marker, with an X and a dotted route.
- Wear the striped shirt with the pants, the eye patch, and the hat.
- Hand out gold coins to kids you meet.
Tip: learn one pirate phrase and commit to it all night. The voice is half the costume.
You need
- Striped shirt, 1 (own, or buy: thrift store)
- Dark pants, 1 (own)
- Cardboard for the hat, 1 sheet (make: from a shipping box)
- Black eye patch, 1 (buy: dollar store, or make: from felt and elastic)
- Toy sword or cardboard cutlass, 1 (buy: dollar store, or make: from cardboard)
- Brown paper for the treasure map, 1 sheet (own)
- Black marker, 1 (own)
- Gold plastic coins, 1 bag (buy: dollar store)
- Scissors, 1 pair
Steps
- Cut the captain hat from cardboard: a wide crescent with the front folded up, and tape the seam.
- Draw the treasure map on the brown paper with the black marker, with an X and a dotted route.
- Wear the striped shirt with the pants, the eye patch, and the hat.
- Safety: use a cardboard or foam sword, never a real blade, and keep the map rolled when walking in crowds.
- Hand out gold coins to kids you meet. A pirate who shares treasure is remembered.
- Optional pro finish: learn one pirate phrase and commit to it all night. The voice is half the costume.
Common questions
How do you keep the cardboard hat on?
Cut the hat slightly small and add an elastic chin strap. A hat that fits snug beats one that fits pretty.
Can a whole group do this together?
Yes: one captain hat for the leader, bandanas for the crew, same striped shirts. The crew reads instantly.
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