A scarecrow can be a great addition to your yard during the autumn season. Whether you choose to make him scary or goofy, building one can be a fun learning process for your family.

Face

A burlap sack, used to protect trees, is perfect for making the head. An old pair of pantyhose or an old pillow case also works. Use plastic grocery bags to stuff inside, or some of the same stuffing you use to fill the body. Decorate the face with permanent markers, acrylic paint or cutout felt shapes, and glue on with a glue gun.

Clothing

Visit your local thrift store, look in the back of your closet, or ask your relatives if they have any plaid shirts, jeans or overalls they were planning to get rid of. Collect these items, as well as gloves, old shoes or boots and socks for the hands and feet. Feel free to accessorize with hats, bandanas or overalls.

Armature/Support

You will need wood that is about two meters long, such as a wooden tomato stake, a broom or a rake handle. Take your wooden stakes and create a cross; then, nail, screw or tie the pieces together. When the wood is secure, start adding the clothing and stuffing.

Stuffing

Gather some old pantyhose, straw, leaves, grass clippings, wood chips or rags to stuff your pieces. You will also need wire or twine to tie the ends of the pants, arms or head to secure the stuffing inside.

Tips

  • Avoid using newspaper to stuff your scarecrow, because rain will cause the body to become soft and shapeless.
  • Before adding the head, find where you want to position your scarecrow in the garden; don’t add until your scarecrow can support itself.

Extra Help

See Scarecrows

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