Vegetable Garden Scarecrows:
Ideas, Plans, and Kids' Crafts

Vegetable garden scarecrows are one of the most memorable projects you can do with children in the garden. Use our ideas, plans, and photos to build your own perfect scarecrow.

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A friendly scarecrow keeps watch over the garden.

A scarecrow is a real character, with a face and a costume, standing watch over the garden all season. Children who help build one feel proud every time they see it.

A Friendly Scarecrow

Be aware that your scarecrow may start to seem like a member of the family! So keep it fun and friendly.

Are you trying to keep birds out of your blueberries or your corn patch? A scarecrow can help.

Charlotte

Free Scarecrow Printables and Crafts for Kids

Scarecrow fun for the kids: paper dolls, a coloring page, a cut and paste activity, and a paper plate craft.

Scarecrow Paper DollsPrint, color, and dress

Scarecrow Coloring PagePrint the free PDF

Dress the Scarecrow cut and paste activity

Dress the ScarecrowCut and paste, ages 3 to 5

Children making paper plate scarecrow crafts in the classroom

Paper Plate ScarecrowsA simple craft for little ones

Find more garden activities on our Kids' Gardening page and Free Worksheets for Kids.

Building a Scarecrow With Children

A cheerful scarecrow with a blackbird perched on its arm

Tip for keeping birds away: move your scarecrow to a new spot every few days, so the birds never get used to it.

Give each child a job that fits their age, and the whole project comes together in an afternoon.

Younger children love choosing the outfit: digging through old shirts, picking a hat, and stuffing the arms until they look just right.

Older children can build the frame, practice tying knots, and design the face.

How to Build Vegetable Garden Scarecrows

A homemade garden scarecrow in a blue shirt

Here are easy steps to build vegetable garden scarecrows at home:

Make a T. Fasten two poles or stakes into a "T" shape for the body and arms.
Set a post. Drive a wooden stake or metal fence post into the ground where the scarecrow will stand.
Attach the T. Fasten it to the post with wire or heavy plastic ties. Leave room at the top for the head.
Make a head. Use an old pillowcase, or try an upside-down flowerpot or lampshade. They make very cute heads!
Dress it. Put on an old shirt, jacket, or dress, and stuff it with plastic bags or anything that won't get waterlogged.
Shape it. Use belts or ties to give it a waist.
Add hands and feet. Stuffed gloves on the sleeves, and boots tied to the pant legs.
Add a hat and hair. Plastic straw lasts longer than real straw; yarn works too.
Give it a face. Draw or sew on a cute, friendly face.
Accessorize! Scarves, aprons, glasses, and flowers.

A garden scarecrow dressed in red clothes

A scarecrow with boots tied to its pant legs

Paper Plate Scarecrows for Little Ones

A paper plate scarecrow is a fun project for preschool and early elementary children.

Start with a plain white paper plate.
Draw or cut out eyes, a nose, and a smile.
Add hair with yellow, red, brown, or black yarn or construction paper.
Glue on big buttons for eyes, but not for very small children who might put them in their mouths.
Make a hat from felt or construction paper.

See our Paper Plate Scarecrow Craft for step-by-step pictures.

Decorating for Fall With Scarecrows

Sunflowers decorated as scarecrows with hats and glasses

Scarecrows make fun porch and lawn decorations for fall. Seat one on a bale of straw by the front door, and add pumpkins, dried cornstalks, and sunflowers.

Keep them friendly, not scary, so small trick-or-treaters enjoy them too.

Try sunflower scarecrows: plant a row of sunflowers by a fence, then at the end of summer decorate the flower heads with hats, old glasses, and scarves. They'll put a smile on everyone's face!