Looking for the perfect way to combine hands-on creativity with writing practice this fall? This Scarecrow Writing Craft is a classroom favorite for the months of September, October, and November. Not only does it give students the chance to cut, glue, and assemble their very own scarecrow character, but it also includes engaging writing prompts that encourage kids to imagine life as a scarecrow, recall seasonal memories, and practice their storytelling skills. Teachers love it because it’s simple to prep, and students love it because it’s fun and creative.
In this post, you’ll find plenty of ideas for extending the activity, books to pair with it, and ways to display your students’ scarecrows so they brighten up your classroom all season long.
What Makes This Scarecrow Writing Craft Special
This craftivity is designed with teachers in mind. The patterns are kid-friendly and easy to prep. You can copy the templates directly onto colored construction paper for students to cut and assemble, or use the labeled templates to trace pieces onto different colors before handing them out. Either way, students will end up with a cheerful scarecrow complete with a patched hat, straw peeking from his sleeves, and a space to add their writing.
Best of all, the resource includes eight different writing prompts so you can use it multiple times throughout the fall season:
- If I were a scarecrow…
- Scarecrows are…
- How to Build a Scarecrow
- SCARECROWS (acrostic poem)
- In the fall, I will…
- I love fall because…
- My Favorite Fall Memory
- At the pumpkin farm…
With both primary and single-lined versions, it works well for a range of grade levels, from early writers to upper elementary students.
Classroom Uses for the Scarecrow Writing Craft
This project isn’t just a fun art activity. It can serve a variety of purposes in your classroom:
- Literacy Extension: Use the writing prompts as part of a literacy center or as a morning work activity to combine writing practice with fine motor skills.
- Seasonal Bulletin Boards: Display the scarecrows with their writing to create a warm, welcoming fall-themed board in your classroom or hallway.
- Letter Study: Use the craft alongside a study of the letter S in younger grades. Students can make connections between the letter, the word “scarecrow,” and seasonal vocabulary.
- Small Group Station: Add it as an option for small group time or a writing workshop rotation.
- Class Party or Reward: Save the activity for a fun Friday, a class celebration, or as a reward project after finishing a unit.
- Door or Hallway Decor: Give your classroom a seasonal facelift with scarecrows proudly “standing guard” outside your door.

Fun Ways to Extend the Craft
Want to take this scarecrow activity even further? Here are some creative ideas to build on the writing prompts and add more fall learning to your day:
- Compare and Contrast: Read a nonfiction book about real scarecrows used on farms, then compare them with the scarecrows your students created.
- Math Integration: Turn your scarecrow into a math problem! Add “straw” (paper strips) to his sleeves and have students count, sort by length, or use them to practice even and odd numbers.
- Science Connection: Talk about why farmers use scarecrows, what crops they protect, and how the weather affects them. Students can create a fact page to accompany their craft.
- Scarecrow Stories: Encourage students to work together to write a class story featuring all of their scarecrows as characters. Display the story alongside their crafts.
- Poetry Tie-In: Use the “SCARECROWS” acrostic poem prompt and have students brainstorm seasonal words before writing. Hang the finished acrostics together for a poetry wall.
- Creative Writing Twist: Instead of “If I were a scarecrow,” challenge students to write from the perspective of the animals who meet the scarecrow. What would a crow, rabbit, or mouse say about him?
Books to Pair with the Scarecrow Writing Craft
Pairing this craft with a read-aloud makes it even more meaningful. Here are some student favorites you can bring into your classroom:
- The Little Scarecrow Boy by Margaret Wise Brown – A sweet story about a young scarecrow learning to be brave.
- Scarecrow by Cynthia Rylant – A beautifully written book that celebrates the quiet life of a scarecrow.
- Otis and the Scarecrow by Loren Long – A heartfelt story about friendship and compassion.
- The Lonely Scarecrow by Tim Preston – Perfect for discussing kindness and acceptance.
After reading, encourage students to make connections between the characters and their own writing prompts. For example, after The Little Scarecrow Boy, they might add ideas about what it feels like to “be” a scarecrow.
Displaying Student Work
One of the best parts of this scarecrow writing craft is the finished product. Not only are the scarecrows colorful and festive, but the writing adds a personal touch that makes each one unique. Here are some display ideas:
- Hallway “Patchwork Field”: Arrange scarecrows side by side as if they’re standing in a field. Add a paper fence or corn stalks as a backdrop.
- Door Display: Cover your classroom door with paper “straw” and let the scarecrows peek out from behind it.
- Bulletin Board Title Ideas: Use phrases like “Standing Tall in Fall”, “If I Were a Scarecrow…”, or “Our Scarecrow Stories.”
- Interactive Wall: Add speech bubbles so students can write or draw extra thoughts from their scarecrows.
Why Teachers Love This Craft
Teachers know that fall is a busy season filled with parent conferences, assessments, and special events. Having an activity that’s low-prep, high-engagement, and versatile is a lifesaver. The Scarecrow Writing Craft is effective across multiple grade levels, offers authentic writing opportunities, and yields a finished product that students take pride in showing off.
Since the prompts cover both imaginative writing (“If I were a scarecrow”) and personal reflection (“My Favorite Fall Memory”), you can use the craftivity more than once without it feeling repetitive.
If you’re looking for a way to bring creativity, writing, and seasonal fun into your classroom this fall, this Scarecrow writing craft is the perfect pick. Whether you use it as a literacy center, a bulletin board project, or a fun Friday activity, your students will love making their scarecrows come to life while practicing essential writing skills.
With eight writing prompts, easy-to-use templates, and endless extension ideas, this is one resource you’ll find yourself reaching for every fall. Pair it with your favorite scarecrow books, add some seasonal decor, and watch your classroom come alive with creativity and autumn spirit.
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