How to Plan a Scarecrow Story Time

The fall season is a perfect time to present a Scarecrow Story Time at the public library. Children can enjoy an autumn-themed program, and you can avoid controversial Halloween story times that some parents might object to. Most libraries have at least a couple of picture books that feature friendly scarecrows. Plan a simple craft, sing some songs about scarecrows or autumn, and you can present a successful story time that your young audience will love. Make sure you promote your story time through the library newsletter or signs hung throughout the library.

Things You'll Need

• Scarecrow-themed picture book
• Scarecrow template
• Cloth scraps
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Crayons
• Markers
• Prizes
• Apple cider
• Cookies

Instructions

1. Choose the books you'd like to include in your story time. You can't go wrong with the book "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything" by Linda Williams. It's not too spooky but captures young children's attention quickly. As you read the book, you can have children hold up props that are included in the story. For example, the book features a pair of gloves, pants, a shirt, a pumpkin head and so on. Children can hold up each article as you read the story. This is great for incorporating audience participation.

2. Plan songs or fingerplays for your story time. Visit the website called Kinder Korner (see Resources) to find cute scarecrow songs and rhymes. You might even want to hunt for a CD with appropriate children's music based on the fall season.

3. Print a picture of a scarecrow on white card stock and let the children decorate the scarecrow using old scraps of cloth, construction paper, buttons, markers, and crayons. Children will love making their scarecrows unique and colorful.

4. Hold a raffle for a paperback book about a scarecrow or pumpkins. Write children's names on slips of paper. Place them in an old straw hat and pull out a name. The winner receives a free book. You can also give away bookmarks or gift certificates to the local bookstore.

5. Serve apple cider and cookies as refreshments. In order to save money, approach a local bakery or grocery store to see if they can donate the cider and cookies. Some businesses will jump at the chance to make a donation if you offer free publicity. For example, in exchange for the donation, you can agree to pass out fliers or coupons promoting the business that provided the donation. Another idea is to publicly thank the company through the library newsletter.

Tips & Warnings

• If your audience is comprised of young children, make sure you allow them a chance to do some type of movement so they don't get too antsy during the story time.

Resources

• Visit Kinder Korner for scarecrow songs and other general scarecrow-themed ideas.