How to Make an Easy Scarecrow for Kids & Children

Doing crafts with children is one of the most enjoyable parts of the fall season. Making a scarecrow for kids may at first sound like an elaborate undertaking, but it can be easy enough for children to create. They'll need some adult supervision, but the creative aspects of making a scarecrow means it's an ideal project for children. A standing scarecrow requires a bit more work, so make the project easier for all by creating a sitting scarecrow. This creation can be posed on a bench, a porch or your front steps.

Buy or find an old long-sleeved shirt and a pair of pants or overalls to dress this easy scarecrow. If you don't have any old clothes you want to donate to the project, take your children to a thrift store so they can choose the clothing for their scarecrow.

Sew the bottom of the pants closed. If you can't sew, you may also pin or glue the cuffs closed. They don't need to be sealed completely, just closed off enough that they'll stay stuffed.

Help the kids stuff the pant legs with hay or straw to really give your homemade scarecrow some substance.. You can buy these materials from a garden store or a local farmer.

Attach the bottom of the shirt to the top of the pants. Tuck the shirt inside the pants, then sew or pin them together.

Arrange the scarecrow in a seated position in the area where you'll be displaying it. It will be easier to complete the rest of the project if the scarecrow is already in place.

Place a wooden dowel or a piece of PVC piping in the inside of the shirt. About one foot of it should stick out the top of the shirt.

Help children stuff the shirt with straw. Explain that they should arrange the shirtsleeves in the position they want before they stuff the sleeves. For instance, if they want the scarecrow to have his "hands" in his lap, the cuffs of the sleeves should be pinned to his lap before the children fill the arms.

Give children an old pillowcase to be used as the scarecrow's head along with some waterproof markers. They can color whatever face they want onto the pillowcase.

Help children fill the pillow case with straw and push it down onto the wooden dowel. Push the bottom of the pillow case down under the collar of the shirt.

Ask the children to finish off the scarecrow with accessories. They can put shoes on his feet, gloves on his hands, a scarf or neckerchief around his neck, a hat on his head or whatever other silly touches they want to use. Poke the stem of a bubble pipe into his mouth to give your homemade scarecrow a down-home look.