Hats Off to Decorated Graduation Caps… Dollar Tree Style!

I'm loving the latest trend for high school and college graduates… decorated graduation caps! This idea wasn't around in my day, but I think it's such a fun way to show off your personality and pride in your accomplishments. And hey, even if that graduation gown swallows you whole, at least your cap can be super cute, right?

Add a simple word, phrase, or decoration to your cap or go all out and completely transform it. Stock up on craft supplies and embellishments from Dollar Tree to fit your style and theme. Add your graduation year, your degree, your sorority or fraternity letters, pictures of favorite memories, a favorite quote, or even a special message to mom and dad. The possibilities are endless, and thanks to Dollar Tree, it's so easy to make a one-of-a-kind cap on a new-graduate's budget!

Grab Your Grad Gear:

• Graduation Cap
• Craft Paper
• Stickers (letters, numbers, gems, etc.)
• Faux Flowers
• Stencils
• Crafter's Square® Vinyl Paper
• Ribbon
• Markers
• Crafter's Square® Cotton Fabric Cuts
• Acrylic Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Crafter's Square® Glitter
• Book (Any novel will do!)
• Scissors
• Craft Glue
• Tape

Let’s Get Started! Here Are a Few Tips:

1. Begin by brainstorming your design, then lay everything out on the cap to make sure it all fits how you want it to. 
2. If you're hand writing a message, I recommend practicing a few times on paper first.
3. Once you have your cap laid out and you’ve practiced your writing, glue everything into place. 
4. After the glue dries, put on your cap and gown, strike a pose, and take tons of pictures — you earned it! 

Check out the caps I made below for some inspo!

Thanks Mom & Dad

Simply glue faux flowers and greenery to your cap and write a message — such as “All Thanks to Mom & Dad” —  using acrylic paint.

Floral Grad Date

Cut and glue a piece of your favorite printed craft fabric to your cap. Using stencils and craft paper, trace and cut out your graduation year, then glue the numbers to the middle of your cap.

On to the Next Chapter

Start by cutting pages from a book, then glue them onto your cap until it is completely covered. Once dry, outline your cap in your favorite craft fabric and paint a saying in the middle of your cap — I chose “On to the Next Chapter.”

Adventure Caps

I love the idea of graduation being a new adventure, so I decided to create two adventure-themed caps.

For the first style, trace a map of the world onto vinyl paper, cut it out, and place it on your cap. Then, paint a fun adventure phrase such as “Adventure Awaits.” Even though the vinyl is sticky, I recommend adding a little bit of glue just in case it’s windy on graduation day.To make the second cap, add fun floral accents or stickers to your cap, then, using letter stickers, add your favorite inspirational phrase — mine toasts “To New Adventures.” 

Congrats, grad… you did it! Now, reward yourself with a sweet treat like these Cap & Tassel Cupcakes — no studying required.