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Early elementary-aged kids create paper plate scarecrows outside

Paper Plate Scarecrow Craft

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Paper plate scarecrow example
Add as much color and texture as you want!

This adorable scarecrow face made from a paper plate is a perfect seasonal project for fall. You children will decorate the plate with yarn hair, a construction paper hat, and facial features to create their own friendly scarecrow!

It’s a great way to celebrate harvest themes while encouraging creativity and fine motor skills.

Developmental Benefits For Early Elementary Children:

This craft supports early childhood development in several key ways:

  • Fine Motor Skills: Cutting, gluing, and assembling small pieces helps strengthen hand muscles and coordination.
  • Creativity & Self-Expression: Kids get to choose colors, shapes, and facial expressions, which encourages imaginative thinking.
  • Following Directions: Completing the steps in order builds sequencing and listening skills.
  • Spatial Awareness: Placing features on the face helps your children understand symmetry and positioning.
  • Sensory Exploration: Using different textures (paper, yarn, glue) engages tactile senses.

Let’s Get Crafting!

Supplies Needed

  • 1 paper plate (white or tan)
  • Construction paper (brown, orange, yellow, red)
  • Yarn (yellow or brown for hair)
  • Glue stick or liquid glue
  • Safety scissors
  • Markers or crayons
  • Googly eyes (optional)
  • Popsicle stick (optional for holding)

Directions

  1. Make the Hat: Cut a triangle or trapezoid from brown construction paper to form the scarecrow’s hat. Decorate with a strip of paper or fall-themed stickers.
  2. Add Hair: Cut yarn into short strands and glue along the top edge of the plate, under the hat.
  3. Create the Face:
    • Glue on googly eyes or draw eyes with markers.
    • Cut and glue a triangle nose from orange paper.
    • Draw a smile or glue on a curved strip of red paper for the mouth.
  4. Decorate the Hat: Add paper leaves, a sunflower, or a small patch to give it a rustic look.
  5. Optional Handle: Glue a popsicle stick to the bottom back of the plate to turn it into a puppet or mask.

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