Teacher Turns First Graders' Drawings Into Real Hats — Their Reaction Says It All

February 13, 2026

In Kelso, Washington, a group of first graders got a surprise they’ll never forget.

Before winter break, students at Wallace Elementary School were given a simple art assignment: design a winter hat using colored stripes. They could pick any colors they wanted, and even decide whether to include a puffball on top.

But what the children didn’t know was that their drawings were about to become real.

KGW News

Teacher Ashley Lowry teamed up with her aunt, Amy LaFave, to turn the designs into actual wearable hats. After seeing a similar idea online, LaFave thought the “middle of winter would be a great project,” and got to work sewing each one by hand.

“I didn't realize 22 hats was going to take as long as it did, but we managed,” LaFave said. “Some of them were very creative in their colors… they all turned out very unique.”

The designs were as imaginative as you might expect from a room full of first graders—rainbow patterns, repeating stripes, bold color combinations, and even one all-white hat with no puffball at all.

The big reveal came after recess, following a reading of the book Extra Yarn. One by one, the children opened their desks—and discovered hats that looked exactly like the ones they had drawn.

Their reactions said it all.

“Red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple,” one student said proudly, explaining the choice: “Because those are my favorite colors in the world.”

Another student beamed while showing off an all-white hat. “It’s white because I like white and it’s my favorite color.”

For Lowry, the project was about more than winter gear. Her goal as a teacher is to help students develop a love of learning—and moments like this make a lasting impact.

“The littles are where my heart is,” she said. “They just love school and they love you… I’m really excited to see these hats bouncing around. I think they’ll just love it and just that pride and it’s something they made.”

Moments like this are a beautiful reminder of just how important teachers are in young children’s lives. They don’t just teach reading and math — they spark imagination, build confidence, and create memories that students carry with them long after the winter hats are tucked away.

Watch the video below: