19 Fun DIY Scarecrow Ideas for fall that Kids Will Love Making
Scarecrow crafting hits a sweet spot most fall activities miss. It’s messy enough to feel like a real project, simple enough that kids can actually finish it themselves, and it ends with something they get to show off on the porch for weeks.
Some of these ideas take fifteen minutes with paper and glue. Others turn into a whole afternoon project, stuffing an old flannel shirt with straw and watching a kid decide exactly what face their scarecrow should have. Either way, nothing here requires a trip to a specialty craft store — most of it comes from a recycling bin, a closet of outgrown clothes, or a bag of yard leaves.
Here are 19 DIY scarecrow ideas organized from the quickest kid-only crafts to the bigger builds worth doing together, so there’s something here whether you’ve got twenty minutes or a whole Saturday.
Table of Contents
1. Paper Plate Scarecrow Faces
A paper plate scarecrow face is one of the fastest crafts on this list and works well for even the youngest kids, since it only needs glue, construction paper, and a plate. Cut triangle shapes from orange and brown paper for a straw-like fringe around the plate’s edge, then let kids design the face with buttons, googly eyes, and a yarn smile. This craft doubles as an easy classroom or playdate activity, since one plate and a small pile of scraps is really all it takes per child. Hang the finished faces on a wall or window for an instant, no-mess fall display.
2. Handprint Scarecrow Art
Tracing a child’s handprint in brown paint to form the scarecrow’s straw-stuffed arms turns a simple painting activity into a keepsake craft that parents tend to hold onto for years. Add a simple painted body, a triangle hat, and a face with a marker once the handprints dry, keeping the whole project achievable in one sitting. This craft works especially well for toddlers and preschoolers who aren’t quite ready for cutting or gluing multiple small pieces. Date the back of the finished piece, since handprint crafts become a fun way to track how much a child’s hand has grown year over year.
3. Clothespin Mini Scarecrows
A wooden clothespin, a scrap of flannel fabric, and a tiny straw hat made from a bottle cap or felt circle come together into a mini scarecrow that’s just the right size for a mantel, a garland, or a small centerpiece. Kids can paint the clothespin’s face and wrap a small square of fabric around the middle for a shirt, gluing small strands of raffia at the bottom to look like straw legs. This craft is compact enough that several can be made in one sitting, which works well for making a whole set to display in a row or string onto a garland. It’s also one of the least messy ideas on the list, since it uses small amounts of paint and glue rather than loose stuffing.
4. Paper Bag Stuffed Scarecrow
A small paper lunch bag stuffed with crumpled newspaper and tied at the top with twine makes a simple, three-dimensional scarecrow head or body that’s sturdier than flat paper crafts but still easy enough for kids to build independently. Paint or draw a face directly on the bag before stuffing it, since it’s much easier to work on a flat surface than a rounded one. Attach the stuffed bag to a cardboard tube or a second, larger stuffed bag for a body, dressing the whole figure in scraps of fabric or an old baby sock as a hat. This craft introduces the same stuffing technique used in a full-sized scarecrow, making it a good practice project before attempting the bigger porch version.
5. Toilet Paper Roll Scarecrows
An empty toilet paper roll, some brown and orange paper, and a bit of yarn turn into a simple standing scarecrow figure that’s sturdy enough to hold its shape on a shelf or windowsill. Wrap the roll in paper for the body, glue on paper arms and legs, and top it with a small paper hat, letting kids handle most of the cutting and gluing with just a little guidance on smaller pieces. This craft is a great way to repurpose empty rolls already piling up in a recycling bin, making it one of the more budget-friendly ideas on this list. A small group of them lined up together makes a fun, low-cost fall centerpiece for a kids’ table.
6. Popsicle Stick Scarecrow Puppets
Gluing a painted popsicle stick figure together with a small fabric shirt and a straw hat made from a tiny circle of felt creates a simple puppet kids can hold and play with once the craft is finished, adding an element of pretend play beyond just decorating. This project works well for slightly older kids who can handle small details like gluing thin paper straw strands or drawing a small face with a fine-tip marker. Attach a second stick to the back as a handle, turning the finished scarecrow into an actual puppet for imaginative play or a small backyard puppet show. This idea combines craft time with open-ended play, which tends to hold a child’s attention longer than a display-only project.
7. Sock Scarecrow Dolls
An old sock, stuffed with polyester filling or even more socks, becomes a soft, huggable scarecrow doll once a face is drawn or sewn on and a bit of fabric is tied around the middle as a shirt. This is a good project for introducing basic hand-sewing to older kids, using simple stitches to close the sock after stuffing, though a hot glue gun handled by an adult works just as well for younger crafters. Add small buttons for eyes and a triangle of felt for a hat, finishing with a bit of yarn hair poking out from underneath. Unlike most crafts on this list, a sock scarecrow doubles as an actual toy afterward, giving it more staying power than a purely decorative piece.
8. Leaf-Stamped Scarecrow Collage
Real fall leaves, dipped lightly in brown and orange paint and pressed onto paper, create a textured, natural-looking straw effect for a scarecrow’s body and hat without needing to cut any fringe by hand. This craft doubles as an outdoor activity first, since collecting the right leaves becomes part of the fun before the actual painting and stamping begins. Add a simple drawn or cut-paper face and hands once the leaf prints dry, tying the whole collage together into one finished scarecrow scene. This idea works especially well for a classroom or larger group setting, since leaf stamping is easy to demonstrate and repeat across many small hands at once.
9. Painted Rock Scarecrow Family
Smooth, flat rocks painted with tiny scarecrow faces and straw hats make a durable, outdoor-friendly craft that can live in a garden bed or a windowsill display without worrying about rain or wind. Kids can paint a whole “family” of scarecrow rocks in different sizes, giving each one a slightly different expression or hat color for variety. A clear coat of sealant, applied by an adult once the paint dries, helps the rocks hold up outdoors through the rest of the fall season. This craft is a good option for kids who enjoy painting more than cutting or gluing, since it’s a single-step process from blank rock to finished piece.
10. Yarn-Haired Paper Scarecrow
A simple paper scarecrow body gets an extra layer of texture with yarn glued on as straw-like hair poking out from under a paper hat, giving the craft a slightly more dimensional look than flat paper alone. Cut short strands of orange and yellow yarn ahead of time so kids can focus on gluing and arranging rather than measuring and cutting, which speeds up the project for younger crafters. This idea works well paired with the paper plate scarecrow face, using the same supplies in a different format for a two-craft afternoon. The yarn texture also makes this version more tactile, which tends to hold a younger child’s interest a bit longer than a flat, single-texture craft.
11. Milk Jug Scarecrow Head on a Stick
An empty, cleaned plastic milk jug makes a surprisingly good base for a scarecrow head, since its shape already resembles a rounded face and its handle can attach easily to a wooden stake or dowel for outdoor display. Paint a simple face directly on the jug and add a straw hat made from raffia or a repurposed sun hat, letting kids handle the painting while an adult helps secure the jug to its stand. This idea works well combined with a garden stake body, described later on this list, to build a full outdoor scarecrow using mostly recycled materials. It’s also weather-resistant enough to stay outside through the whole fall season without needing to come in during light rain.
12. Mini Terracotta Pot Scarecrow
A small terracotta flower pot, turned upside down and painted with a simple scarecrow face, makes a charming mini scarecrow that doubles as garden decor once the craft is finished. Stack a smaller pot on top as a hat, securing it with craft glue rated for outdoor use, and let kids paint the whole thing in warm fall colors before adding the face details. This idea works especially well for families with an existing garden or porch planters, since the finished piece fits naturally into that kind of display. Terracotta’s naturally rustic texture also gives this version a slightly more grown-up, farmhouse look compared to some of the more purely kid-craft ideas on this list.
13. Pillowcase Scarecrow Costume
An old pillowcase, cut with holes for the head and arms and painted or decorated with fabric patches, turns into a simple, no-sew scarecrow costume kids can wear for a fall festival, a classroom parade, or just an afternoon of pretend play. Add suspenders drawn on with fabric paint, a stuffed bandana around the neck, and a bit of raffia tucked into a wristband and collar for a straw-poking-out effect. This project works well as a weekend activity, since the paint needs time to dry before the costume can be worn safely. It’s also one of the more budget-friendly ideas on the list, since a pillowcase and some fabric paint cost far less than a store-bought costume.
14. Full-Sized Porch Scarecrow From Old Clothes
An old flannel shirt and a pair of worn-out jeans, stuffed with straw or crumpled newspaper and tied off at the wrists, ankles, and neck, build the classic full-sized scarecrow most people picture when they think of the craft, and it’s a genuinely fun weekend project for the whole family to build together. Use a wooden stake or a simple cross-shaped frame made from two pieces of wood as the internal support, letting kids help with stuffing while an adult handles the frame assembly. A stuffed pillowcase or paper bag head, decorated with a hand-drawn or painted face, finishes the figure off, and a straw hat completes the classic look. This project takes the longest of anything on the list but results in the kind of finished piece that stays on the porch for the whole season, giving kids a real sense of ownership over something they helped build from start to finish.
15. Scarecrow Wreath for the Front Door
A basic straw or grapevine wreath base, decorated with small pieces of flannel fabric, a mini straw hat, and a simple felt face, turns the classic scarecrow shape into a front door decoration that takes up far less space than a full-sized figure. Kids can help hot glue fabric scraps and small details onto the wreath base, though an adult should handle the glue gun itself for safety. This idea works well for anyone short on porch or yard space, since it hangs flat against a door rather than needing to stand upright outdoors. A small “scarecrow legs” addition, made from stuffed fabric tubes hanging below the wreath, adds a playful, dimensional touch that’s become especially popular in recent fall decorating trends.
16. Cardboard Box Scarecrow Standee
A large flattened cardboard box, cut into a rough scarecrow silhouette and painted by the kids, makes an oversized, lightweight decoration that’s far easier to store and reuse year after year than a fully stuffed figure. Sketch a simple outline first so kids know where to paint, then let them fill in the straw-colored fringe, clothing, and face with paint or markers. This idea works particularly well for a classroom hallway display or a larger group project, since one big standee can become a shared activity rather than each child making an individual piece. Prop it against a wall or a fence outdoors, weighting the base with a few rocks or bricks so it doesn’t tip in the wind.
17. Scarecrow Garden Stake for Flower Pots
A small scarecrow figure, built on a thin wooden dowel or skewer, makes a fun addition tucked into an outdoor planter or flower pot alongside mums or ornamental kale. Build the figure from a small fabric-wrapped foam ball for the head and a bit of felt or fabric for the body, keeping the whole piece small enough to fit comfortably in a pot without overwhelming the plants around it. This is a good project for kids who want to see their craft “planted” somewhere visible right away, since it goes straight into an existing outdoor display rather than needing its own separate spot. A small group of these stakes, spread across a few different pots, adds a playful, coordinated touch to porch or patio container gardens.
18. Burlap Sack Scarecrow With Button Eyes
A small burlap sack, stuffed and tied off at the top with twine, creates a rustic scarecrow head or body with a naturally textured, farmhouse look that pairs well with other burlap and natural-fiber fall decor. Sew or hot glue on button eyes, a stitched or drawn smile, and a small triangle of fabric as a nose, letting kids handle the button placement and face design while an adult manages any hot glue work. This idea suits families who want a slightly more polished, less obviously “craft project” look for their finished scarecrow, since burlap’s texture reads as intentional and rustic rather than homemade. Pair a burlap head with a full-sized clothing-stuffed body for a more cohesive, farmhouse-style finished figure.
19. Scarecrow Bowling Pin Craft for a Fall Party
Empty plastic bottles, painted and decorated to look like a row of tiny scarecrows, turn into a homemade bowling game that’s perfect for a fall birthday party or a backyard get-together with cousins and friends. Weight the bottom of each bottle slightly with a bit of sand or rice before decorating, so the “pins” have enough stability to stand upright but still fall over easily during play. Kids can paint a different face on each bottle for variety, and a soft ball, like a rolled-up sock or a small foam ball, works well as the bowling ball. This idea turns scarecrow crafting into an actual game afterward, giving it more replay value than most of the display-only ideas on this list.
Styling Tips
Group finished crafts by size and type when displaying them, keeping small paper and clothespin scarecrows together on a shelf or mantel rather than scattering them individually around the house. Save the full-sized porch scarecrow and any outdoor stake or pot crafts for the yard, where they can hold up to weather better than paper-based pieces. And rotate a few crafts into storage as new ones get made throughout the season, so the display stays fresh without becoming cluttered.
Practical Implementation Ideas
Start with the simplest paper-based crafts for younger kids or a first attempt at scarecrow crafting, saving the full-sized porch scarecrow for when everyone’s ready for a bigger weekend project. Lay down a drop cloth or old newspaper before any painting or gluing project, since these crafts tend to get messy fast with young hands involved. Keep a small bin of core supplies, like googly eyes, yarn, buttons, and raffia, on hand throughout the season so a new scarecrow craft can come together on short notice.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Starting with the full-sized porch scarecrow before trying a smaller paper version first can be overwhelming for younger kids and often leads to more adult intervention than the child actually wanted. Using loose, unsecured straw or stuffing without tying it off properly leads to a scarecrow that sheds material everywhere within a few days. And skipping a test run of glue or paint on the actual fabric or material being used can lead to unexpected results, like paint that won’t stick to certain fabric types.
Small-Space Alternatives
For families without yard or porch space, the paper, clothespin, and rock scarecrow ideas all work well as an indoor-only display on a windowsill, shelf, or small table. A scarecrow wreath is also a strong small-space option, since it hangs flat against a door or wall rather than needing standalone floor space.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives
Nearly everything on this list uses supplies already on hand, from a recycling bin’s worth of toilet paper rolls and milk jugs to an old flannel shirt destined for a donation pile. Real leaves, rocks, and sticks gathered outdoors cost nothing and work just as well as store-bought craft supplies for several of these ideas.
Pro Styling Recommendations
Let kids make their own decisions about the scarecrow’s face and outfit rather than steering the design too heavily, since the finished piece tends to mean more to them when it reflects their own choices. Take a quick photo of each finished craft before it goes into seasonal storage, building a simple yearly collection of how the crafts, and the kids making them, have changed over time. And involve an adult only for the steps that genuinely need it, like hot glue or a craft knife, letting kids handle as much of the rest as their age allows.
FAQs
Conclusion
Scarecrow crafts hit that rare sweet spot where kids get to make something genuinely theirs, mess is expected rather than a problem, and the finished result actually gets to live somewhere visible for weeks afterward. Start small with a paper plate face or a painted rock, and work up to the full-sized porch scarecrow whenever the whole family’s ready for a bigger weekend project. Either way, it’s a fall tradition worth repeating every single year.
