Scarecrow Preschool Halloween Craft

The Scarecrow Preschool Halloween Craft is another family project that allows participation on many age levels. Your preschooler can participate in the planning of how the scarecrow will look and depending on what decisions your family makes, there are things s/he can do such as helping to stuff the clothing and helping to make the jack-o-Lantern face.

Materials You Will Need

One 1-inch dowel 3 feet long for a seated scarecrow
One 1-inch dowel 2 feet long
About 3 feet of twine for lashing
Or a long bolt with a washer and a nut and a drill with a bit to make the right size holes
1 jack-o-lantern for the head
1 straw Hat
1 plaid long-sleeved shirt with at least one breast pocket
1 pair old jeans
1 pair old boots or other high-topped shoes
1 pair of work gloves or gardening gloves
Masking tape or duct tape
Straw or pale yellow raffia
One old chair, preferably wooden
Newspaper
Large Safety pins
A scrap of bright fabric to look like a pocket hankie

How to Make it

Making the scarecrow consists of two main parts: 1) the inner support piece and 2) the body of the scarecrow. First you must make a cross of the two dowels to provide inner support for your scarecrow to sit up. When you have done this, dress the frame, stuff the clothing, and add the head.

The Inner Support Piece

Step 1:
Make a cross of the two dowels. Place the smaller across the longer one about one foot from the end of the longer one.

Step 2:
Attach the shorter piece to the longer piece. If you know how to lash, the best way to attach the crosspiece is to tie the twine in a square knot on one of the arms close to where to two pieces of wood meet. Lash together by wrapping the twine under the first dowel, and then over the next, alternating over and under very tightly around the entire piece many times until the two pieces are tightly secured.

Alternate Step 2:
You can measure from the end of the dowel where you want to put the hole and mark it.  Select a large bolt long enough to go through both pieces of dowel. Drill a hole in each dowel separately. Lay the shorter piece over the smaller piece and put the bolt through both pieces. Add a nut to the back end and tighten it down with a wrench until the two dowels are secure.

The Body of the Scarecrow

Step 1:
Make a 1-inch diameter hole in the bottom of the Jack-o-lantern. The dowel should be a tight fit. Mark the place on the dowel that you want the Jack-o-lantern to rest. Remove the Jack-o-lantern and wrap tape just below that mark in many layers so that it is very thick. This will prevent the Jack-o-lantern from sliding down the dowel.

Step 2:
Put the shirt on the cross piece and button it all the way up. Your preschooler can help with this.

Step 3:
Stuff the gloves with small pieces of news paper

Step 4:
Tuck the ends of the sleeves into the gloves. Use safety pins to hold them in place if necessary. Stuff the arms only. Button the bottom half of the shirt, but leave the top open.

Step 5:
Set up the chair where you will want the jack-o-lantern to be. Put the jeans on the chair.

Step 6:
Tuck the legs of the jeans into the boots and stuff them with the newspapers. Your preschooler will have a blast doing this.

Step 7:
Insert the wooden frame into the stuffed jeans, pushing it down until it will go no further.

Step 8:
Tuck the tails of the shirt into the jeans. Again pin with safety pins if necessary.

Step 9:
Stuff the shirt up to the opening, then alternately button and stuff until the last button is buttoned and the shirt is completely stuffed.

Step 10:
Put the jack-o-lantern on the end of the dowel. Put a light stick in the jack-o-lantern, put the lid on the jack-o-lantern and put the straw hat on the head.

Step 11:
Tuck the fabric scrap into his breast pocket

Step 12:
Tuck straw or raffia in random places such as his pocket or sleeve ends for a more authentic effect.

Use this scarecrow in the Scarecrow and Company Porch Display

Helpful Tip for Parents

This is a great family Halloween craft. Older children can help assemble the frame. Even your preschooler can help put in the bolt to hold it together. One or two people can stuff the jeans and one or two others stuff the shirt. Everyone can help with the details of the scarecrow's appearance.

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