Alligator Crown Printable (Free Hat & Headband Template)

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Make a friendly animal hat with this alligator crown printable! Choose the colorful version for a quick cut-and-assemble craft, or let kids decorate the black-and-white template before turning it into a wearable paper headband.

It’s a fun addition to animal pretend play, a classroom dress-up basket, or an “A is for alligator” lesson. Pair it with our letter A activities for more ways to explore the letter together.

What’s Included in the Printable?

The free PDF includes two landscape US Letter pages, with one version of the same crown on each page:

• Full-color crown: A green cartoon alligator face, teal and lime leaves, and a pink band with rainbow “Alligator” lettering.
• Black-and-white crown: The same design in outlines, ready for crayons, colored pencils, or markers.

Each page has two pieces: the alligator front with its attached band, and a separate strip labeled “Alligator” that forms the back of the headband. You only need to print one page for each crown.

Materials

• The alligator hat printable
• White paper or lightweight cardstock
• Scissors
• Tape or a glue stick
• Crayons, colored pencils, or markers for the black-and-white version
• An extra strip of paper if you need a longer band

Lightweight cardstock helps the face and leaves stand up while keeping the band flexible. Regular printer paper also works for a lightweight hat.

How to Make the Alligator Crown

1. Print your chosen version. Select the colored page or the black-and-white page. Check the print preview to make sure the band ends and top of the design fit within the printable area.
2. Color before cutting. If you’re using the outline version, decorate the face, leaves, band, and lettering while the paper is flat. Kids can use green or invent their own colorful alligator.
3. Cut out both pieces. Follow the outside cutting guides around the front piece and the separate word strip. Keep the face and leaves attached to the front band. An adult can help with the smaller curves around the leaves.
4. Join one end. Overlap one end of the back strip with one end of the front band and secure it with tape or glue, keeping the printed sides facing outward.
5. Measure the fit. Wrap the band loosely around the child’s head and mark where the remaining ends should overlap. Remove it before fastening the second join.
6. Finish the headband. Secure the remaining ends, allow any glue to dry, and try on the crown. The alligator sits at the front, with the word strip around the back.

A Is for Alligator Activity

Turn the crown into a simple letter A craft by pointing to the first letter in “Alligator” on the back band. Say the word together and listen for its beginning sound.

• Write a large uppercase A and lowercase a on a separate sheet and invite kids to copy them.
• Ask children to find the uppercase A on their crown before assembling it.
• Have kids finish the spoken sentence “A is for alligator,” then think of another word that begins with A.
• Let each child wear their finished hat while sharing their favorite part of the craft.

For a little more practice after crafting, try our letter A worksheets. Our letter A crafts collection has more hands-on ideas for another day.

Fun Activities with Your Alligator Crown

Animal Parade

Put on the finished crowns and make a little parade around the room. Children can choose an alligator name and take turns leading the group. Try prompts such as “walk slowly,” “take three steps,” and “freeze” to add a listening game. If you’re crafting with a group, give everyone a turn to introduce their animal.

Go on an A-Word Hunt

Draw or write a few simple picture cards, such as an apple, ant, alligator, ball, and sun. Spread them around the room and invite children to wear their alligator hats while finding the words that begin with A. Say each word together and listen for the beginning sound. For children still learning letters, show the uppercase A and lowercase a alongside each matching picture.

Alligator Storytime

Wear the crowns while reading an alligator picture book or making up a story together. Start with “One day, a little alligator found something beside the water…” and let each child add what happens next. Ask where the alligator is going, who it meets, and how the story ends. Children can draw their favorite scene afterward.

Feed the Alligator Counting Game

Cut a few large paper fish from scrap paper and place them on a blue sheet of paper to make a pretend pond. Call out a number and have your little alligator move that many fish into a bowl or onto a plate. Start with one to five, counting each fish as it moves. Older children can combine two small groups or work out how many fish are left in the pond. Keep the fish as pretend food on the table.

Tips for a Comfortable Paper Hat

Adjust the overlap. Overlap more of the band for a smaller fit. If the strips aren’t long enough, add an extra strip of paper at the back. Leave enough room for the crown to sit comfortably without squeezing.

Help with the detailed cutting. Young children can color and help with the straight band edges while an adult cuts around the face and leaves.

Keep the joins smooth. Press down any loose tape edges on the inside of the band so they don’t catch on hair. Let glued joins dry before wearing the hat.

More Animal Crowns to Make

Set up a little animal dress-up station with our cat crown printable and lion crown template. Kids can choose an animal, decorate their hats, and invent a story together.

Grab the Free Printable

Grab the alligator crown printable here!

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