Cute Handprint Scarecrow Craft for Fall

Celebrate the beauty of fall with this cute handprint scarecrow craft — a simple, screen-free activity kids will love to make at home or in the classroom. Kids will love turning their handprints into these adorable little scarecrows.

Nothing says fall quite like a scarecrow! This handprint scarecrow craft is an adorable and easy fall activity for kids. Made with simple supplies, it’s the perfect screen-free craft for home, school, or the classroom.

Kids will love tracing their hands to create the scarecrow’s straw “hair” while practicing fine-motor skills like cutting and gluing. Plus, it makes a sweet keepsake you’ll treasure for years — especially if you make one every fall and watch those little handprints grow!

Handprint Scarecrow Craft

This handprint scarecrow craft is a great one to consider with your little ones. Drawing around your hand isn’t as easy as you think, so little ones will have lots of fun trying to concentrate while doing this.

You don’t need too many craft bits to recreate this handprint scarecrow craft, and it is one that you can let your children do, aside from a bit of cutting, which some children may need help or supervision while doing.

However, I have also come up with other ideas to help you have fun with this craft. So here is everything you need to know to create a handprint scarecrow at home.

For another fun scarecrow craft, try out this Cardboard Roll Scarecrow Craft.

Why You’ll Love This Handprint Scarecrow Craft

Simple and fun. Uses basic supplies you already have at home.
Great for all ages. Preschoolers and older kids can both enjoy it.
Screen-free fall fun. Perfect for cozy autumn afternoons.
Makes a memory. A cute keepsake to look back on year after year.

Whether you’re a teacher adding a fall project to your lesson plans or a parent looking for fun fall crafts for kids, this handprint scarecrow will be a hit!

Supplies Needed

First, to make things easy, gather everything you need together and set it out on a flat work surface. A table is ideal for this.

You will need:

Scarecrow hat template – get the download here.
Cardstock – tan or brown (for the face), orange (for the hat), and yellow (for the handprints that become the “straw hair”).
Googly eyes – medium size, or mix and match for fun expressions.
Black marker – perfect for adding the nose, smile, and stitched details to your scarecrow’s face.
Glue stick or double-sided tape – either works well for attaching the pieces together. Hot glue can also be used with adult supervision.
Scissors – child-safe scissors work great for tracing and cutting out handprints and hat shapes.
Optional extras – bits of yarn, straw, or pipe cleaners to create 3D “hair,” or a large popsicle stick if you want to turn your scarecrow into a fun handprint puppet!

Tip: For best results, print your scarecrow hat template on sturdy cardstock paper so it’s easier to trace and cut.

How to Make the Handprint Scarecrow

This easy handprint craft is a fun way to head into fall, and kids of all ages will love doing it. Here’s what you need to do:

Be sure to check out the full instructions below

Step One: First, gather everything you need. Then, begin by folding a sheet of tan or brown cardstock in half and cutting. This is the face of the scarecrow.

Step Two: Now, print and cut out the hat template ready to be added. Trace the hat on orange cardstock and cut it out.

Step Three: Trace and cut out two handprints from yellow cardstock.

Step Four: Glue the handprints on both sides of the hat. Then, glue the hat to the top of the face piece.

Step Five: Next, use a black marker to draw details on the hat. We made a wavy line for the band of the hat and added a few crosshatch marks randomly.

Step Six: You can then add googly eyes to the face.

Step Seven: Finally, use the black marker to draw a simple triangle nose and mouth for the scarecrow. We added another crosshatch mark along the face to complete our simple, adorable handprint scarecrow.

My printables are for Personal Use Only. Please see my Printable Disclosure for more information.

Variations

Painted handprints: Use paint instead of paper for a colorful twist.
Different eyes: Mix and match googly eye sizes for unique expressions.
Make a scarecrow family: Trace everyone’s hands — from kids to parents!
Add texture: Use yarn, straw, or pipe cleaners for the scarecrow’s “hair.”
No colored cardstock? Paint white paper in fall colors and let it dry before cutting.

Notes and tips

You may need to supervise younger children when cutting out the templates and around their handprints.
If you haven’t got any googly eyes, you could draw them on instead.
Don’t worry if you don’t have access to a printer. You could draw the shapes yourself and cut them out. Your children may need your help with this.

Pair This Craft with Fun Fall Books for Kids

Make storytime part of your crafting fun! These fall and scarecrow-themed books pair perfectly with this handprint craft and help bring the season to life:

The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry
A beautifully illustrated tale about kindness and an unlikely friendship between a scarecrow and a tiny crow.

I Am a Scarecrow
A simple and sweet story that helps young children celebrate fall and the changing season.

Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson
A heartwarming story that helps little ones understand the beauty of the changing seasons.

The Not-So-Scary Scarecrow by Mamta Nainy
A charming and lighthearted story about a scarecrow who learns he’s not so scary after all.

These books are perfect companions to your crafting session — a cozy combination of reading and creating that kids will love all season long.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age range is this craft suitable for?
This craft works well for preschool and elementary-age kids. Younger children may need a little help with some of the steps, but if older children are getting involved, then they could always help out little ones with cutting and following the instructions.

What if I don’t have all the supplies?
Check the variations section for creative alternatives. Recycled cardboard or packaging works great for the base!

Where can I find the hat template?
If you missed the downloadable hat template, find it immediately below. Download the PDF and print it on sturdy cardstock paper to ensure durability.

handprint scarecrow hat template Download