My local library had a Scarecrow Fashions program yesterday, great fall fun. The kids brought the old clothes, the library supplied the hay, they served cider and doughnuts, and by the end of the day, the Children’s Garden was filled with creative, colorful scarecrows.
This my favorite kind of art program for kids. There’s no stress or perfectionism, since scarecrows are supposed to be funny-looking. The outdoor display is an impressive display. This is a great chance for kids to participate in creating public art, something that changes the environment, and causes people walking or driving by to stop and take notice.
There are no fancy art supplies or complicated techniques here, reminding me again of how much fun kids can have just with stuff like markers and paper bags. (Well, I guess the hay could be considered a “fancy art supply,” not being something you’d normally find around the house, and it was a nice touch, but I’ll bet the kids would have had almost as much fun without it.)
This is a seasonal display, and one that self-destructs in a relatively short time. The paper bag heads don’t look after it rains a few times, and the carefully-drawn faces run, fade and pretty much wash away within about ten days. But that’s OK. It’s a fun project, and a glorious display for however long it lasts!
