How to Make a Scarecrow Costume for Halloween

When it comes to Halloween, some of the best costumes are those that have remained tried and true for decades. Ghosts and goblins, witches and werewolves, Frankenstein and Dracula are ingrained in our minds as the frightening creatures of nightmares and symbols of Halloween. Another old favorite is the scarecrow. This creature, invented to scare crows away from the corn on farms, continues to exude an air of mystery, uncertainty and something a bit scary. That makes it a perfect costume choice for Halloween.

Things You'll Need

• Old overalls or jeans
• Plaid flannel shirt
• Straw hat
• Muslin fabric
• Face paint
• Straw
• Cotton batting
• Fake crow
• Fake sunflowers
• Rope
• Small plastic bags

Instructions

1. Determine the clothing that will make up your scarecrow costume. Old overalls work the best; however, if you don't have a pair readily available, old jeans or dungarees will work just as well. Pick out an old plaid flannel shirt and a straw hat as well.

2. Purchase all of the items necessary to put the costume together. Besides clothing, buy about 1/2 yard of muslin fabric, face paint and straw. The clothing should be loose to allow room for the straw packing.

3. Distress the clothing a bit if it isn’t already slightly warn. Sew some fake patches on the overalls or jeans. Cut a couple of slits around the areas where the clothing would normally become thin from wear. If the flannel shirt is new or in good condition, wash it a few times in very hot water to give it an aged, worn look. Cut holes into the straw hat as well to make it look old and well worn.

4. Stuff small plastic bags with straw, allowing some of the pieces to hang out at the top. The bags will be used to stuff the neck, wrists and ankles of the scarecrow costume.

5. Dress the child in the shirt and pants. Let one strap hang free if overalls are being used. Use rope as a belt for the jeans if they are being used instead of overalls. Roll the cuffs of the shirtsleeves up if necessary to expose the wrists and hands. Button the shirt up to at least the second button from the top.

6. Make a hood out of the muslin fabric, cutting out an oval for the child’s face to stick through. Place the hood over the head.

7. Stuff the costume with soft cotton batting around the chest and trunk area and around the legs and arms. Make sure very little if any of the batting is visible.

8. Place the small plastic bags of straw around the neck, wrists and ankles of the costume, letting the loose straw pieces show.

9. Paint the child’s face and hands with a pale white or beige base. Use orange or golden yellow paint to create a triangular scarecrow nose and red to widen the lips in a scarecrow smile.

10. Top the costume off with the straw hat. Glue a faux crow and one or two sunflowers on the hat.

Tips & Warnings

• The needed clothing items can usually be found at a thrift or discount department store.

• Straw hats and face paint can often be found at a dollar store.

• Fake crows and sunflowers can be purchased at craft stores.

• Don’t stuff the costume directly with straw as it could irritate the child’s skin or become uncomfortable.

• Choose face paints that are allergen free and all natural whenever possible.