An Easter bonnet, much like the Easter bunny, is a traditional symbol of Easter. They’re hats that are worn by people of all ages, (but particularly children) specifically at Easter time. They’re typically homemade, but a new or old hat can be used and personalised. Below are some fantastic Easter bonnet ideas so you can make your own. The Grade II-listed gardens at Borde Hill are set among heritage parkland and are bursting with magnolias, camellias, hellebores and rhododendrons in spring. During Easter, children (ages 3-8) can explore through the eyes of Ludo the lamb, on a trail collecting clues. It ends with a race over hurdles, after which children who know the code word can win a mini egg ice cream. This gallery below includes what you'll need for each boys Easter bonnet idea, but the following supplies are all handy for crafting your Easter masterpieces: If your child would love to go ALL out for their Easter bonnet and wear something that is bold and quirky, why not channel Mad Hatter? Lily, Amy, and I all worked together to paper mache Amy’s hat, but took a lot of time and care to paint it herself carefully. Simon & I cut out the Batman mask and bat symbol as we had just worked on a similar design for James the previous week for a themed day at school. Amy helped choose the buildings and windows for the silhouettes, but we again had to use a scalpel to cut these out so we cut these for her! Ava’s Sheep Hat (aged 3)

If your kids don’t fancy anything with flowers or ribbons, these Easter bonnets for boys should keep them happy. And of course, girls can get in on the action, too! What you'll need for Easter bonnet making Become a detective bunny via a crafting activity at St Fagans National Museum of History or at the National Museum in Cardiff, then count the eggs that are located around the galleries. Joint challenges across Wales’s free museums include spotting the difference between bunnies on display and finding a tiny golden egg for a bonus win. The National Museum has impressionist art and dinosaur skeletons, while St Fagans has more than 40 re-erected historical buildings in the grounds.

Spring Time Easter Bonnet

The Walled Garden on the Blenheim Palace estate will host appearances from the Easter Bunny over the weekend, while also staging balloon-modelling, bubble shows, circus skills and a vintage variety show. Children love the permanent features of the Palace’s 2,000 acres too – zooming around two miles of yew trees in the Marlborough Maze and riding the miniature train. Always be sure to put down plenty of newspaper or plastic sheeting before you start. You'll want to protect a wide area of floor – it's surprising how far paint can go when kids are involved! Keep kitchen roll or baby wipes close for any emergency clear-ups. These Easter bonnets can also be kept for next year, or even given as cute Easter gifts to friends and family members. Top tips for crafting with kids

Flowers: Fresh or artificial, flowers represent the rebirth of spring. Daffodils, tulips, and roses are popular choices. The term "bonnet" comes from the French word 'bonnette,' a type of cap. But why is it specifically linked to Easter? The Easter bonnet symbolises the tail end of winter and the joyous emergence of spring. In the past, new hats or bonnets were worn during Easter as a symbol of prosperity and new beginnings. They were also associated with Easter parades, where wearing new and fashionable clothing was a must. So, the term "Easter bonnet" beautifully captures the essence of this joyful holiday tradition. Get inspired by it and make your child's Easter bonnet double trouble this year! What kind of Easter bonnets will boys love? If you’ve never made an Easter bonnet before, you may be wondering where to begin. You can either do one from design or start from scratch. 1. Design, Upcycled Bonnet We then used paper mache on all the hats, so they were ready to paint. This took a few hours and was very, very messy! All the children enjoyed this step, even James who was a little reluctant to join in with the hat-making at first.

James’ Pokemon Easter Bonnet (aged 9)

But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s start by taking a look at what Easter actually is. What is Easter, and why do we celebrate it? Victorian elegance: The Victorian era was a defining period for the Easter bonnet. Women of society would adorn elaborate bonnets as a symbol of status and fashion. These were not just limited to Easter Sunday services but were worn throughout the Easter week. They were designed with silk, lace, and adorned with fresh flowers, portraying wealth and grace.

Homemade Easter bonnets make for a sweet and personal touch, and can be a lovely keepsake for mums, dads, grandmas and grandads alike. Shakespearean references: Some scholars note that there’s a broad European tradition, especially in Britain, of buying new clothes on Easter. In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio says to Benvolio, "Did'st thou not fall out with a Tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter?" But Easter Sunday across the world is celebrated in different ways, too. Many typically celebrate this rebirth by hiding eggs, planning egg hunts, and eating chocolate for breakfast (well, maybe that one is just us). We didn’t win anything this year, but the competition was tough and it’s not really about the winning – it’s the taking part that counts. The smiles from all the children and their friends were amazing to see, as well as the creativity & thought that had gone into some of the designs were brilliant! We have decided to salvage and save some of the materials from this year, just in case they can be reused again in future years. The flowers we will use to decorate our easter shelf. You'll find fun ideas with an Easter twist – from a detailed Darth Vader bonnet, to an Angry Birds bonnet and a quirky magicians hat. How much does it cost to do Easter crafts with the kids?We have no less than 30 different Easter bonnet ideas for boys and girls to craft – most of which are cheap and easy to do, with supplies you're likely to have in your cupboards already! When our school challenged us to make an Easter bonnet, I decided to try and source all our materials from either our own recycling or a local SCRAP store. Our local scrap store is a community-based project that sells all manner of goods that would usually end up in landfill, whilst supporting & and providing valuable opportunities for vulnerable adults with learning disabilities. We bought offcuts of felt, some fake fur & some paints – enough to complete our projects & a good compromise.