DIY Little Prince Costume: 20-Min Cardboard Build
Time20 minEffortEasy
⏱️ We timed it, but results may vary.
Plan this costume →No signup · 2 minutes.
A crown, a cape, and a royal sash from the dress-up box or the craft drawer. Twenty minutes, easy: gold cardstock or a paper crown, red or purple fabric for the cape, and wide ribbon for the sash. The sash goes over one shoulder, never straight across.
1 of 7 things covered, counting basics we assume you have.
Tap a supply to tick what you own.
Still need:
Tip: tilt the crown slightly to one side.
Sizing: Built for ages 1 to 8. Size the cape to the wearer: it should fall above the knees, and the neck tie stays loose and easy to pull free.
Steps
- Cut the cardstock into a crown band sized to the head.
- Overlap 1 inch and glue.
- Cut triangle points along the top edge.
- Press the stick-on gems around the band.
- Put one big gem at the front.
- Drape the fabric as a cape.
- For under-5s, skip the pins: tie the cape's top corners to the shirt shoulders with short ribbon ties.
- Or glue the top edge to the back of the shirt.
- Nothing tied around the neck.
- Safety: No pins near little hands. Keep the cape above the knees so it cannot trip. Nothing tied around the neck. (CPSC Halloween safety tips)
- Sash: drape the wide ribbon from one shoulder to the opposite hip.
- Tape or glue the sash at the waist.
- Optional pro finish: tilt the crown slightly to one side.
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Common questions
How do you keep a paper crown from tearing?
Use cardstock, not printer paper, and overlap the band a full inch before gluing. The stick-on gems add stiffness as a bonus.
What if we have no cape fabric?
A red bath towel or a pillowcase works. Pin it at the shoulders, never tie it at the neck, and trim it above the knees.
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