How to Make a Wizard of Oz Scarecrow for Halloween

The Wizard of Oz is a popular theme for group costumes. The Scarecrow costume is one you can create from ordinary, inexpensive items. Once you make your own Scarecrow costume, you'll be on your way to winning that costume contest.

Things You'll Need

• Oversized dark, baggy pants
• Oversized long-sleeved shirt, preferrably brown or green
• Wide-brimmed floppy hat
• Several yards of yellow raffia ribbon
• Glue
• Staples
• Scissors
• Twine or rope
• Halloween face paint
• Brown cloth at least 4 inches in diameter

Instructions

1. Cut the ends of the pant leg openings 2 inches up into strips that are no more than an inch wide. Do the same for the shirt sleeves. You are trying to create the look of tattered clothes.

2. Cut up the raffia ribbon into dozens of 6-inch pieces. Glue them or staple them to the insides of the sleeves and pant leg openings. Attach them randomly in little clumps and even in different angles to make it look like your body is made of straw and it is spilling out.

3. Start working on the head gear by bending and flexing the hat to create wear and tear. Feel free to kick it around in the dirt to add authenticity. If you can spare it, cut small openings and tears randomly on the hat. Glue more raffia around the edges,making it look like straw sticking out of the scarecrow's head. Make the raffia strips long enough to reach your shoulders. Cut a hole in the middle of the circular cloth at least big enough to comfortably fit your head in.

4. Cut up four small pieces of rope that will comfortably tie around your ankles and wrists. Cut another piece for your neck and another one that will loosely tie around your waist.

5. Put on your costume, starting with the pants and shirt. Tie the rope pieces around your wrists, ankles and waist outside the clothes. Put on the hood and tie the rope loosely around your neck. Finally, put on the hat, tilting it to the side just a bit.

6. Apply the scarecrow make up. Make black triangles around the eyebrow area. Put dark red on the entire nose, starting between the eyes. Apply a reddish color on your lips.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a piece of thick paper and black ribbon to create a diploma to carry around, just like the movie.

• If you have pockets, stick more raffia ribbon in them to simulate more hay coming out.