Thrill Kids with These DIY Paper Mache Scarecrows and Woven Hats

While this project is not one to be started and done in twenty minutes, it is the kind that will have your kids feeling like you are the coolest mom around! What kid doesn’t love a good mess, some paint, and a new friend in the end?! So whether you need an “I’m a cool mommy!” boost or if you are looking for a fun, seasonal project to keep your kids busy during the rainy, fall weekends, these paper mache DIY scarecrows are ideal!

Kids will love making these paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids

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A Really Fun Fall Activity for Kids

We have enjoyed a beautiful, extended summer this year. The 90 degree weather in September is record-setting for Chicago. We have relished the beach and shorts.

Yesterday the kids had a day off from school, and instead of the beach, Little #3 was so excited to put up our Halloween decorations. It is October after all!

As we put up our dollar store cobwebs and headstones, while jamming to Thriller and Monster Mash, it finally started to feel like fall.

I love fall!

As it began feeling like fall, I thought about all the fun fall activities I love. I thought of the post I put together two years ago with super-fun fall activities for kids.

A family highlight from that list, that the kids still remember, was making paper mache scarecrows. So today I am sharing how you too can thrill your kids with these DIY scarecrows.

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Supplies to Make One Paper Mache Scarecrow & Woven Hat

  • Newspaper
  • Flour (about 1/4 cup) & Water mixture
  • 1 Balloon
  • Yarn (about 3 feet)
  • Acrylic or Washable Tempera Paint and paintbrush
  • 2 pieces of different colored Construction Paper or cardstock (more if you have a big scarecrow head)
  • Pen or pencil
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • Gluestick and tape
  • One outfit you are not currently using (shirt, pants, socks, shoes, mittens or gloves)
  • Old grocery bags, hay, or another stuffing material
  • Safety Pins

Shop DIY Scarecrow Supplies

DIY Scarecrow for Kids from paper mache supply recommendation is Crayola Washable Tempera Paint.BalloonsConstruction Paper

*Keep in mind that paper mache is not made for the rain. These did GREAT on our covered porch. If you don’t have anywhere to put it out of the weather, it will need to be an inside decoration. If you’re looking for a waterproof option, this video shows a similar process with different materials that should work. It’s not quite as kid-friendly or inexpensive though.

How to Make Your Own DIY Paper Mache Scarecrows

Follow these five steps to make your paper mache scarecrows.

1. Make a Paper Mache Head

Paper mache is a really fun craft with so many applications. It can be a little messy, but clean-up is easy-peasy if you do it right away.

For these scarecrows, you will need to blow up one balloon to form the head.

You can form the balloon to the desired shape of your scarecrow head using packing tape if you want to. We left ours balloon shaped and made two sizes.

Tie yarn around the end of your balloon to facilitate working with it and hanging it to dry.

In a small bowl, mix flour and water until you get a smooth paste. Rip newspaper into strips about an inch wide.

Materials for Step 1 of making paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Materials to make the paper mache.

Dip a strip of newspaper in the flour paste. While holding the strip over your paste bowl, gently slide two fingers down the strip to remove excess paste. Next, place the newspaper strip on the balloon.

Repeat this process until the whole balloon is covered with two or three layers of newspaper.

Paper Mache Tips

Your paper mache will be stronger if you do not follow a pattern when placing the strips, but instead place them rather randomly over the balloon.

Kids will have no problem with that part! 🙂

In order to make it easier to paint, your last layer of paper mache can be white paper or the color you want for the scarecrow’s face. We just did newspaper though, and it worked fine.

Lastly for this step, hang the paper mache balloon to dry.

(It may take a day or two to dry. It worked really well for us to complete the project over several weekends.)

Step 1 of making paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Hang the paper mache to dry.

2. Paint the Scarecrow’s Head

Using brushes and preferably washable paint, paint the skin tone for the scarecrow’s face.

I highly recommend these paints.

You may need to do a few layers to completely cover the paper mache.

Step 2 of making paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Paint the skin tone for your scarecrow’s face.

Hang the balloon to dry completely again. (Timing will depend on how much and what type of paint you use.)

Step 2 complete for making paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Hang the balloon to completely dry.

3. Paint the Scarecrow’s Face

Using your washable paints again, paint the face on your scarecrow.

Alternately, you can use permanent markers to draw the face.

For the final time, hang your balloon to dry!

Step 3 of making paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Hang the balloon to dry for the last time!

4. Make the Woven Hat

This woven hat was a bit of a challenge and the kids loved that. It was creative and the perfect finishing touch for our paper mache scarecrows.

You will need two pieces of construction paper or cardstock of different colors (more if you have a big scarecrow head), a pen (or pencil), a ruler, scissors, tape, and a glue stick. You will also need your finished paper mache scarecrow head so that you can make the hat the right size.

Materials to make a woven hat for paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Materials for the woven hat.

Tracing and Drawing Lines

First, trace the head in the center of one piece of paper. This circle will be the top of the hat.

First step in making woven hats for paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Trace the scarecrow head.

Next, using the ruler, draw lines one inch apart across the circle. Do not draw quite to the edge.

Step 1 in making woven hats for paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Draw lines across the circle. Do not go all the way to the edges.

After that, make three circles around the first, each about an inch wide. These will be the brim of the hat.

Lastly, draw one-inch strips on the sides of your paper. These will become the sides of your hat.

(If your head is much bigger, you may need to put all of this across two pieces of paper. Tape them together securely, and it will work fine.)

Step 1 in making woven hats for paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Add the brim and extra strips for the sides.

Next we’ll work on the second piece of paper. Use the ruler to draw lines one inch apart down the paper long-wise.

Step 1 in making woven hats for paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Make lines down the second piece of paper about an inch apart.

Cut Along Black Lines

Cut along each of the black lines on both pieces of paper. The strips from the second piece of paper will be used for weaving.

Step 2 in making woven hats for paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Cut the second piece of paper into strips.

Now your weaving papers are all cut and ready!

Materials ready for making woven hats for paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
All your weaving pieces are ready.

Tape the Sides of the Hat to the Right Size

Take one of the side strips of your hat. Measure the size of the hat by wrapping that strip around the top of the hat, and then tape and trim it to the correct size.

Repeat with each of the side strips. Our hat was three strips tall.

Step 3 in making woven hats for paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Make your side strips the right size.

Now you are ready to weave!

Weave Your Scarecrow Hat

Remember, the weaving pattern is over, under, over, under.

Begin by weaving a strip (the second piece of paper strips, black in our pictures) through your brim pieces. Crease the strip so it is ready to weave upward next.

Step 4 in making woven hats for paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Begin weaving the brim of the hat.

Continue weaving up the side pieces. The weaving will keep all the hat pieces together; there is no need to tape or glue the hat (green) pieces.

Crease the strip again and weave across the top of the hat. I found it easiest to weave in the middle of the top of the hat first. Later, you will add strips to either side.

These woven hats for paper mache scarecrows make a unique and fun fall activity! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Weave across the top of the hat.

Crease the strip so it is facing downward. Continue weaving down the side and through the brim. Periodically, glue the stripe into place.

If the strip is not long enough to get through the other brim, simply tape or glue another strip to it and continue weaving.

Do not worry about extra strip hanging off the edge. We will take care of that later.

These woven hats for paper mache scarecrows make a unique and fun fall activity! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Periodically, glue the strip into place.

Weave a second strip using the same process as the first. Alternate the pattern though. If you started over the brim with the first strip, start under the brim with the second strip. Snug the strips as close to each other as you can.

Continue weaving in this manner until you have finished as much of the top as you can.

These woven hats for paper mache scarecrows make a unique and fun fall activity! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Continue weaving strips into the hat until the top is finished.

You will notice there is space on the sides of the top where it is rounded. Use small strips to continue the weaving pattern just through the top.

After the top is finished, use shorter strips to weave from the brim up the sides.

Finally, secure all these smaller strips with tape or glue either inside the hat or under the brim.

These woven hats for paper mache scarecrows make a unique and fun fall activity! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Weave small strips through the rest of the brim and sides. Secure with tape.

Finish Off the Woven Hat

Trim the excess strips around the edge of the brim.

These woven hats for paper mache scarecrows make a unique and fun fall activity! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids #wovenhat #weavingforkids
Trim the excess strips around the brim of the hat.

And then securely glue any flapping strips into place.

The woven hat is complete! Congratulations!!

These woven hats for paper mache scarecrows make a unique and fun fall activity! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids #wovenhat #DIYpaperhat #hatforscarecrows
The woven hat is complete!

5. Put the Scarecrow Together

Gather a full set of clothes you will not be needing including long pants, long sleeve shirt, socks, shoes, and gloves or mittens.

We used an outfit each from Little #2 and Little #3, so we had two different sized scarecrows.

Kids will love making paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Gather the scarecrow’s clothes.

We had saved up plastic grocery sacks to use as stuffing, and they were super easy to use. Alternately, you could use hay, other clothes, or another stuffing material.

Start building your scarecrow by stuffing each of the clothing pieces with the grocery sacks.

Next, slide the yarn that is attached to the balloon through the shirt and tie it to the button of the pants. Connect each of the clothing items with safety pins.

Lastly, glue the hat in place for the finishing touch.

Voila! Your Scarecrow is finished!

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Enjoy your Scarecrow

These scarecrows became members of the family for a time.

The kids had fun carting them around the house…

Kids will love making these paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
The scarecrows held together pretty well as they were carted around the house.

finding new places to set them around the house…

Kids will love making these paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Just having a little scarecrow storytime. 🙂

and playing together.

Kids will love making these paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids
Scarecrow Fun!

I did finally relegate them to the front porch, where we continued to enjoy them!

I hope your kids are thrilled with these DIY paper mache scarecrows and woven hats.

Have a beautiful fall!

Let us know how your scarecrow making goes in the comments. Share any pictures on social media using #lovinlifewithlittles. What else do you love to do in the autumn?

I am sharing this post at some of these Link Parties I Love! Thank you hosts!

Pin this for Later!

Kids will love making these paper mache scarecrows this fall! Click through for a tutorial on how to make a DIY scarecrow and woven paper hat from www.lovinlifewithlittles.com. It's an ideal autumn craft for kids! #diyscarecrow #papermachescarecrow #fallactivitiesforkids #fallactivities #fallcraft #autumncraft #autumnactivitiesforkids #wovenhat #paperhat

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12 Comments

  1. I am sorry that I am late visiting. Life interfered.
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    Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
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    1. Never late Marilyn! It’s always great to have your visit. I hope you have a wonderful week!

  2. The details on the woven hats are really cool. This project definitely would be a favorite with kids. Thanks so much for sharing it. #HomeMattersParty

    1. Thanks Donna! My kids loved this project!

  3. This is so adorable, Marielle! I just pinned this to see if my kids want to give it a try! We are getting our fall and Halloween porch decorations ready this week. Thanks so much for sharing this fun project and linking up.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    1. This was definitely a highlight with my kids. Hope yours enjoy it too!

  4. Wonderful to spend the time making and to look back on for years to come.

    1. So true! Good memories!

  5. I think that Halloween scarecrow project should qualify you for “Coolest Mommy” for at least a decade of Halloweens!!!

    1. Haha! We’ll see how long it lasts!! 🙂

  6. Melinda Mcdonald says:

    This looks so fun! I remember doing crafts like this when I was little and they are so memorable! Thanks for the great idea!

    1. It is super fun to make memories with the kids!