Dog Crown Printable (Free Dog Hat & Headband Template)

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Make a puppy character your child can wear with this dog crown printable! The floppy-eared dog turns into a paper headband with a little cutting and gluing. Choose the ready-colored version for a quick craft, or let kids decorate their own puppy using the black-and-white template.

This dog hat printable for kids works well for pet-themed activities, a “D is for Dog” lesson, or an afternoon of pretend play. Pair it with our dog puppet craft to give your puppy a friend for a homemade story.

Why You’ll Love This Dog Crown

• Two versions: Print the colored design or let children choose their own puppy colors.
• Simple supplies: Use paper, scissors, and tape or glue to put the headband together.
• A flexible fit: Adjust the overlap of the bands to fit your child.
• Play after crafting: Turn the crown into a prop for stories, counting games, and a puppy parade.

What’s Included in the Dog Crown Template?

The PDF includes two US Letter-size pages (8.5 × 11 inches): one full-color crown and one black-and-white crown to color. Each page has the dog front with its attached band and a separate back strip labeled “Dog.”

The colored puppy has a golden-tan face, brown floppy ears and nose, a cream muzzle, and teal and lime leaves. A pale purple band and bright pink, yellow, and turquoise “Dog” lettering finish the design.

The outline version has the same pieces. Kids can color it to look like a family pet, add spots, or invent a puppy in their favorite colors. The ears and leaves stay attached to the front piece; the word strip wraps around the back of the head.

Materials

• The printable dog crown template
• White printer paper or lightweight cardstock
• Scissors
• Tape or a glue stick
• Crayons, colored pencils, or markers for the coloring version
• An extra strip of paper if you need to extend the band

Lightweight cardstock helps the face and leaves stay upright. Regular printer paper works too, especially for a quick dress-up activity. Choose whichever your printer handles well.

How to Make the Dog Headband

1. Print your chosen page. Pick the colored crown or the black-and-white version. Check the preview so the dog, leaves, and ends of both bands fit on the page.
2. Color before cutting. Decorate the face, ears, leaves, band, and word strip while the sheet is flat. Try a spotted puppy or give each ear a different color.
3. Cut out the two pieces. Follow the outside cutting guides around the dog front and the separate “Dog” strip. Keep the ears and leaves attached to the front band. An adult can help with the smaller curves.
4. Join one end. Overlap one end of the word strip with one end of the front band and secure it with tape or glue. The printed sides should face outward.
5. Check the fit. Wrap the band loosely around your child’s head and mark the overlap. Remove the crown before securing the second join. Add a plain strip at the back if you need more length.
6. Let it dry and try it on. Allow glued joins to dry, then put on the headband with the puppy face at the front and the word strip at the back.

D Is for Dog Activity

Before assembling the crown, point to the uppercase D in “Dog.” Say the word together and listen for its beginning sound. Write a large D and a small d on scrap paper, then ask your child to copy them or trace them with a finger.

Draw a few simple pictures, such as a dog, duck, drum, ball, and sun. Invite your child to find the pictures that start with the same sound as dog. Say the words aloud together so children can join in even if they aren’t reading yet.

Finish by letting each child name their puppy and complete the sentence “My dog likes…” They can tell you their answer, draw it, or try writing a few words underneath their picture.

Fun Activities with Your Puppy Crown

Have a Puppy Parade

Wear the crowns and take turns leading a little parade around the room. Try simple directions such as “take three steps,” “turn around,” and “freeze.” Give everyone a chance to introduce their puppy and show off one imaginary trick. This works with one child and an adult or a whole group of puppy characters.

Count the Paper Bones

Draw and cut out a few large paper bones from scrap paper. Place them on a table beside an empty bowl and ask your little puppy to move a certain number into the bowl. Start with one to five, touching and counting each bone as it moves. Older children can combine two groups or work out how many are left. Keep the paper bones as pretend food on the table.

Set Up a Pretend Pet-Care Station

Gather a stuffed dog, a blanket, an empty bowl, and a soft brush. Children can wear their crowns while making a cozy bed for their toy puppy and acting out its daily routine. Ask, “What does your puppy need next?” or “Where will it rest?” Use the stuffed toy for the game so children can practice gentle care at their own pace.

Tell a Puppy Adventure

Start with “One morning, a curious puppy found a mysterious box…” and let your child decide what happens next. Ask what is inside, who the puppy meets, and how it gets home. With a group, each child can add a sentence. Children can also draw three pictures to show the beginning, middle, and end.

Make a Cat-and-Dog Story

Add our cat crown printable and let the two characters plan an adventure together. Perhaps they open a pretend bakery or search for a missing toy. Take turns speaking as each animal and decide how they solve the problem together.

Tips for a Comfortable Paper Hat

Leave a little room. The band should sit comfortably without squeezing. Adjust the overlap before fastening rather than pulling the paper tight.

Keep the joins smooth. Press down loose tape edges inside the band so they don’t catch on hair. If you use glue, let it dry completely before wearing.

Divide up the cutting. Younger children can color and help with the straight band edges while an adult cuts around the ears and leaves. Keep the whole front design together.

Printing Tips

Use US Letter paper and select the version you want from the two-page PDF. Check the orientation and margins in the print preview so none of the cutting guides are clipped. Print a test copy before making a classroom set.

The black-and-white page saves color ink and gives children more decorating time. If markers tend to soak through your paper, place a spare sheet underneath while coloring.

More Animal Hats to Try

Build a small dress-up collection with our alligator crown printable and lion crown template. Let children pick their characters and bring them together for an animal parade.

Grab the Free Printable

Grab the dog crown printable here!

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