Scarecrow Art: Fall Process Art in Preschool

Make some mixed-up scarecrow art with the kids this fall! It’s a fun process art idea to add to your fall activities for preschoolers.

Collage of scarecrow art project with text that reads scarecrow process art.

Related: Farm Theme Preschool Snack

We are lovers of process art around here, and this scarecrow art definitely fits the bill.

Plus, it can be done collaboratively which helps build a sense of classroom community with your students.

The idea for this fall art project came from reading the well-loved book, The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams.

We read it through a few times and my students really got into it. They enjoyed helping with the repetitive text and movements, and the “surprise” ending made many of the kids laugh.

Scarecrow Art

To get the children started on our scarecrow art, I referred back to the book and asked, “What did the things following the little old lady work together to make at the end?” I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that the answer is a scarecrow!

Materials to Make Mixed-Up Scarecrows

We then discussed materials that are usually used to make scarecrows. We settled on hay for the filling, denim for the jeans, plaid for the shirt, buttons on the shirt, and burlap for the face.

Scarecrow art materials - burlap, buttons, hay, fabric, and buttons.

I originally discussed flannel for the shirts, but the children were more into the scarecrows having red and blue plaid shirts. Once our little list was created, I gathered the materials and off we went.

Here’s what we ended up using:

White construction paper
Small white canvas
Hay or raffia (ask about allergies ahead of time)
Brown tempera paint
Assorted buttons
Plaid fabric scraps
Denim fabric scraps
Tiny straw hats
Glue
Hot glue gun

You can work with your students to create your own materials list!

Scarecrow Process Art Directions

Start off by making a hay paintbrush or two. To do so, take a short length of hat and fold it in half. Wrap a pipe cleaner or string around the middle of the hat to secure the hay.

My students watched me make the hay brushes, and they thought it was hysterical.

Once the paintbrushes are ready, let the kids paint! They can dip the ends of the hay into the paint and brush it along the paper.

After the paint’s dried, spread out the rest of the materials for the children.

Scarecrow art in process with materials on the table.

Related: Little Red Hen Activities

Explain that these are the materials you’d all chosen earlier, and be sure to let the children touch everything.

We did this, referring back to our previous conversation about the book and making scarecrows. We ended up having a great discussion about textures and the feel of each material.

Tell the children they can use the materials as they want for their scarecrow art.

My students did a few different things. Some glued items on willy-nilly and some were incredibly intent on the placement of each piece.

Related: Scarecrow Sensory Bin

Most of the children chose the abstract approach, with bits and bobs all over the paper. I did have a few who created scarecrow faces, which was just fine too!

When popping into the school, my son saw the art and decided to create one too – so this is an art activity even older kiddos can enjoy!

Collaborative Scarecrow Art

As I mentioned earlier, the scarecrow process art can also be done collaboratively. My students chose to make individual scarecrows AND a group canvas project.

The kiddos worked together to make one canvas to hang up in our class, as with our acorn art and corn painting. We went with a smaller canvas this time, as we already had it on-hand.

Related: Canvas Art Ideas

A few of the children painted the canvas, and most of them helped add different pieces to the canvas once the paint was dry.

I let them come over in groups of 3 or 4 to make sure everyone had a chance if they wanted.

I wielded the hot glue gun, with interested children assisting with that at times. The children did everything else! We also added some small hats to our group project, which the children loved.

The different colors and textures look so appealing, and I love the three-dimensional aspect of the hats and stacking the buttons.

Have you ever tried making a scarecrow art project with the kids? I’d love to hear about your process in the comments below!

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