The idea
Peter Blake
Self-Portrait with Badges (1961)
Tate
The pop art movement started in Britain in the 1950s. Pop artists wanted to make art part of everyday life. They were inspired by advertising, comic strips, pop music, celebrities and product packaging, so their work was very down-to-earth and something that everyone could enjoy. Pop art is bright, colourful and bold.
Can you work in a bright and exciting way to create your own pop art hat? Have a look at some of the work of the pop artists to get some inspiration first.
Be inspired by pop art
Get some ideas for your pop art hat. Check out the artwork below to explore some pop art in Tate's collection.
Peter Blake
Tuesday (1961)
Tate
Roy Lichtenstein
Explosion (1965–6)
Tate
Roy Lichtenstein
Whaam! (1963)
Tate
Sir Eduardo Paolozzi
Real Gold (1949)
Tate
Sir Eduardo Paolozzi
Meet the People (1948)
Tate
Peter Blake
On the Balcony (1955–7)
Tate
Patrick Caulfield
Sweet Bowl (1967)
Tate
© The estate of Patrick Caulfield. All Rights Reserved, DACS 2026
- Materials for decorating the hat you design. You can use all sorts of packaging, old magazines, adverts, comic strips...
- Glue or sticky tape
- Ribbon or cord
- Pipe cleaners
- Draw a rough design of the hat you want to make.
- Collect the materials you will need.
- Measure your head so you get the size of the hat right.
- Make your hat, having as much fun as possible!
- Don’t be afraid to use ideas similar to those you have seen the pop artists use.
- Be as imaginative as you like!
- Use lots of bright colours, big writing and crazy pictures if you want to.
- Make sure your hat means something special to you.
See it!
Pop art hats made by kids at Tate © Tate
