Scarecrow Popsicle Craft: A Fun Fall Project for Little Hands

As the leaves start to change and the air turns crisp, there’s no better time to welcome fall with a simple, hands-on craft that celebrates the season. This Scarecrow Popsicle Craft is the perfect activity for preschool and kindergarten students during your autumn or harvest unit.

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With just a few basic supplies—popsicle sticks, construction paper, glue, and googly eyes—kids can create a cheerful scarecrow character full of personality. It’s a great way to introduce fall themes, practice fine motor skills, and explore shapes and sequencing in a fun, creative way.

Whether you’re decorating the classroom, adding to a bulletin board, or sending home a seasonal keepsake, this scarecrow craft is sure to be a favorite.

What You’ll Need

This craft is low-prep and budget-friendly. Here’s what you’ll want to gather:

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• Construction paper (assorted fall colors)
  
• 3 popsicle sticks per scarecrow
  
• Red paint and paintbrush
  
• Scissors
  
• Glue
  
• Black marker
  
• Googly eyes
  
• Scarecrow Template

Optional additions could include ribbon, raffia, or even felt for added texture, but the basic version is easy enough for even the youngest learners to manage with a little help.

How to Make the Scarecrow Popsicle Craft

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1. Paint the Popsicle Sticks
Begin by painting three popsicle sticks red. Once dry, form them into a triangle shape, gluing the ends together to create the base for the scarecrow’s shirt.

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2. Create the Scarecrow’s Clothes
Use red construction paper to cut out two triangular pieces that fit inside the popsicle triangle. Add vertical black lines with a marker to create the look of stitched fabric or flannel. Glue the paper inside the popsicle frame.

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3. Assemble the Head
Cut out a circle for the face, a triangle or trapezoid for the hat, and thin strips of yellow paper for straw hair. Glue the face to the top of the triangle and add the hat and straw hair. Finish the face with googly eyes and a marker-drawn smile.

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4. Add the Finishing Touches
Cut and glue arms, legs, and little hands or boots using coordinating paper. Add any final straw pieces or decorations. Kids can customize their scarecrow’s look by choosing different colors or adding extra features like buttons, patches, or even a name tag.

Why This Craft Works Well in the Classroom

This scarecrow craft is more than just a seasonal decoration—it supports a variety of early learning goals.

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• Fine motor development: Painting, gluing, cutting, and assembling all build hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
  
• Following directions: Step-by-step instructions help reinforce sequencing and listening skills.
  
• Shape recognition: The triangle base and circular head are perfect for reinforcing basic geometry in a hands-on way.
  
• Creative expression: Each student’s scarecrow can look a little different, giving kids room to personalize their project.
  

You can even turn this into a math or literacy extension by having students write a sentence or label the parts of their scarecrow when the craft is complete.

Ideas for Using This Craft Throughout the Season

This scarecrow activity works well anytime during the fall, but here are a few ideas for extending the learning:

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Fall Bulletin Board Display
Create a “Silly Scarecrows” or “Our Patch of Scarecrows” bulletin board using each child’s finished craft. Add student names or fall-themed writing samples underneath.

Harvest Festival Activity
This is a great low-mess station for school fall festivals or themed parent nights. Pre-cut pieces and let students assemble with minimal supervision.

Farm or Garden Unit Tie-In
Use this craft while studying farms, gardening, or fall harvest topics. Read a related story and follow it with the scarecrow craft as a cross-curricular extension.

Scarecrow Week
Dedicate a week in September or October to all things scarecrow—read books, explore how they help farmers, and end with this cheerful project.

Book Pairings to Match the Craft

Here are some engaging fall or scarecrow-themed books to pair with the activity:

• “The Little Scarecrow Boy” by Margaret Wise Brown
  A classic story of courage and growing up with timeless illustrations.
  
• “Scarecrow” by Cynthia Rylant
  A poetic, gentle look at the life of a scarecrow through the seasons.
  
• “There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves” by Lucille Colandro
  Silly and seasonal, this is a hit with preschoolers and makes a great read-aloud before crafting.
  
• “The Scarecrow’s Hat” by Ken Brown
  A creative tale about trading and problem-solving, perfect for a fall theme.
  

Tips for Success

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• Pre-cut paper shapes for younger students to save time and reduce frustration.
  
• Use glue dots or craft glue sticks for less mess.
  
• Allow painted popsicle sticks to dry completely before assembling.
  
• Add names to the back of each scarecrow for easier display.
  

A Friendly Fall Craft to Welcome the Season

This Scarecrow Popsicle Craft is a simple, joyful way to welcome fall into your learning space. It’s engaging without being complicated, adaptable for different ages, and makes a wonderful keepsake or decoration. Whether you’re introducing autumn to your preschoolers or adding a fun activity to a farm unit, this little scarecrow will bring smiles all season long.

Gather your supplies, set out the paints and paper, and get ready to create a whole field of friendly fall scarecrows.

Ready to Make You Own Fall Scarecrow? Get the Template Now!