Making Scarecrows

Ages 5 and up (3 or 4 30-45 minute sessions to complete)

Objectives:

To add art to the garden
To introduce children to alternative pest control methods

Materials:

Old clothes
A pillowcase for the head
Leaves, straw, or hay for stuffing
Non toxic exterior paint to draw the face
Hammers and 18 large nails (size depends on the thickness of the wood used)
(One) 1 x 4 x 72 inch board (for the body)
(One) 1x 4 x 17 inch boards (for shoulders and arms)
Note: collecting scrap pieces of wood that are relatively the same size as above will work well.
String or twine, gloves and safety glasses
Smocks or clothes that can get dirty
Staple gun

Set up:

Cut all the wood pieces, and gather supplies to the garden.

Part One:

Read some books about scarecrows or show the children pictures of some, to introduce the idea of making one for the garden. Talk about why scarecrows were invented. Talk about what gardeners and farmers do now to keep crows from pulling corn seedlings. See what ideas the children have to remedy the problem. Suggest the environmentally friendly technique of feeding the birds cracked corn until the corn seedlings are too strong for the birds to pull as an alternative!

Have children brainstorm on how they would like their scarecrow to look.

Part Two:

Have the children choose a location in the garden for their scarecrow. Make a cross out of the boards, attaching the 17” board approximately 18” from the top of the 72” board to create a neck. Allow the children to help you nail the parts together. After the pieces are put together, push it in the ground and start the creation of their scarecrow.

Note: If pants are used, cut a hole in the crotch large enough for the cross to pass through and put them on the cross before you push it in the ground.

Part Three:

Paint a face on the pillow case and let dry. Have the children choose clothes. Tie the ends of the pant legs and stuff. Staple the waist to the board. Tie the cuffs of a shirt closed, and stuff them. Put the shirt on the cross, button it up, tie the waist, and stuff it. After the face is dry, Construct the head with a pillowcase stuffed with leaves, hay, or straw. After stuffing to the desired size, tie the end closed over the neck. Hats, ribbons, hair, gloves, shoes, and belts can all be added now for character.

(Adapted from Garden Crafts for Kids: 50 Great Reasons to Get Your Hands Dirty by Diane Rhoades)