Scarecrows aren't just for scaring crows anymore. They can be a lot of fun, putting an accent on the garden.
Kids will love to come up with ideas on how to build the right scarecrow for them. It can be as simple as a hat on a pole with a few articles of clothing or an elaborate scarecrow complete with a face, head, hair, hat and even legs and feet.
How to make a scarecrow
The first step is to decide how much room you might have for a scarecrow. Have the kids measure up the space available in the garden. After a nice discussion of scarecrows and perhaps a tale or two of your own experience with pesky birds and critters that come to call in your garden, you can get down to the business of building your scarecrow.
Scarecrow basics
You need a pole for the scarecrow. Give this job to the kids to do. They need to find two sticks for the base that will support the scarecrow.
If for some reason two sticks of approximately the same size can't be found, two old broomsticks or garden stakes can be used. The sticks or branches will give the scarecrow a rustic look, while the other materials will give it a more modern contemporary look.
Fasten the two sticks together in a T-shape in a manner that will assure stability and strength. One way is to use a good strong garden twine to tie at the intersection.
A simple scarecrow
For a simple working scarecrow, you will need a head and possibly a torso with a little straw for stuffing. Those old newspapers that keep piling on the floor? Give them a use by using them as stuffing for the body of the scarecrow.
The head could be anything from a bucket to a stuffed pillow case. Have the kids write or list things that could be used as a head. My kids used a pumpkin bucket left over from a Halloween. They painted a face on it.
Attach the head to the upper portion of the upright stick. Or, if you wanted laughs from the neighbors and your kids, you might want to stick the head at the bottom. Scarecrow scared himself so hard that his head came off.
Stuff the torso. Use an old flannel shirt. Maybe your kids have a shirt they don't want anymore. You can give it life again by using it in the scarecrow. Put the cross beams of the stick base through the sleeves of the shirt, tie it or button the shirt in front and stuff it so that it has bulk.
Add pants, perhaps some old pants no one wears or ones that have holes. Stuff those the same way as the shirt. You could add boots or shoes and even gloves for hands. A little straw would give the scarecrow a rustic look.
Technologically gifted scarecrow
This is for the handy kids who would like to be in electronics some day. You could make the scarecrow move. Add some motion detectors and a little bit of wiring. Ask around the hardware store. They might be able to help you figure out what you might need to do this task. It would be fun to see someone walk into your garden next time and get the pants scared off them (more pants next time you make a scarecrow) when they see your scarecrow move.
 | Children love to garden but can become discouraged by criticism or failure. Choose projects that are easy to accomplish and praise your children's efforts. The added confidence they gain will help them to become better gardeners and happier little people. |
 | The gardens are gone. The kids may be sad. After all, it was their time and effort. But it's time to preserve those memories by creating a kids' garden scrapbook. |
It's autumn and the leaves are starting to turn vibrant colors. Soon the New England landscape will be ablaze with hues of red, gold, and green and the leaves will begin to fall from the trees, carpeting the land with easily attainable specimens for a curious child to examine. |
Some gardeners keep journals. Kids can keep journals, too, even if they cannot write yet. Here's a few tips on how to get kids to keep a garden journal. |
If the winter cold is keeping the kids away from garden thoughts, try making a garden mural. |
