How to Make a Paper Bag Scarecrow

Let's Make a Paper Bag Scarecrow!

Autumn is here! Time for pumpkin spice lattes, harvest festivals, and…scarecrows! They're a fun way to decorate your home or garden, and they're super easy to make. Want a simple and budget-friendly craft project for kids? This paper bag scarecrow tutorial is perfect.

What You'll Need

• One big brown paper bag
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Markers, crayons, or paint
• Construction paper (different colors)
• Googly eyes (optional)
• Straw (optional)
• Yarn or string (optional)
• Buttons (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Get the Paper Bag Ready

Open up your brown paper bag and flatten it out. This will be the base of our scarecrow.

2. Let's Make a Head

Fold the top of the bag down about 4-5 inches. That's your head! Use tape or glue to keep it in place. Now, let's add some personality:

• Draw a face with markers or crayons. Give your scarecrow a big smile or a funny frown.
• Cut out two circles from construction paper for ears and glue them on.
• Make a straw hat by cutting a circle from construction paper and shaping it like a cone. Glue it on top!
• Want to give your scarecrow some extra personality? Add some googly eyes.

3. Time for Arms

Fold the paper bag in half, lengthwise. Cut two slits on each side of the bag, about 3 inches long and 1 inch apart. These are the arms. You can adjust the size of the slits to make the arms longer or shorter.

4. Let's Decorate Those Arms

Now that the arms are ready, let's make them look awesome!

• Cut out strips of colored construction paper and glue them on to make sleeves.
• Cut out squares or triangles from construction paper and glue them on to make patches or buttons.
• Use markers or crayons to add stripes or patterns to the arms.

5. The Scarecrow's Body

The rest of the paper bag is the body. Let's make it special!

• Cut out a rectangle from construction paper for a shirt and glue it on.
• Cut out a rectangle from brown construction paper for overalls and glue it on.
• Draw or cut out buttons or a belt to add some details.

6. Finishing Touches

Almost done! Let's add those last details.

• Cut out a pair of feet from construction paper and glue them to the bottom of the bag.
• Tie a yarn or string to the top of the head to hang your scarecrow.
• Want to make it extra traditional? You can stuff the arms with straw or fabric scraps.

Tips for Making an Awesome Paper Bag Scarecrow

• Strong paper bag is best. A heavier paper bag will make your scarecrow last longer.
• Get creative! Use different colors, patterns, and materials. Even use recycled things like bottle caps or buttons.
• Make it a family project! Kids of all ages will love getting creative and helping with the decorations.
• Give your scarecrow a personality! Give it a name and a story. You can even write a poem about your scarecrow.
• Show it off! Hang your scarecrow at home or in your garden. It's a fun, festive decoration everyone will love!

More Scarecrow Fun!

Once you've mastered the paper bag scarecrow, try these variations:

• Make a mini scarecrow! Use a smaller paper bag to make a tiny scarecrow for your table or bookshelf.
• Create a whole family of scarecrows! Make lots of paper bag scarecrows for a fun family.
• Turn your scarecrow into a character! Be creative and make a scarecrow from a story or movie.
• Make a seasonal scarecrow! Add fun touches to match different seasons. For example, add a pumpkin patch in the fall or a Santa hat during the holidays.

Beyond Paper Bags: More Scarecrow Crafts for Kids

Want more scarecrow fun? Try these:

Sock Scarecrow

Use an old sock, buttons, and yarn to make a cute little scarecrow. You can even use a sock with a funny character on it for a unique look.

Pinecone Scarecrow

Use a pinecone as the body, and add details like a hat, eyes, and arms using felt, yarn, and other craft materials.

Recycled Materials Scarecrow

Get creative and use recycled materials like cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, or even old newspapers to build your scarecrow. Add decorations with paint, markers, and found objects.

Let's Get Creative!

Making a paper bag scarecrow is a fun, easy activity for kids and adults! It's a great way to use up recycled materials and let your creativity shine. Your scarecrow will be a delightful addition to your home or garden. So, grab your paper bags and let's get crafting!

Happy crafting!