Moving Eyes Scarecrow Craft for Kids (Fun Fall Paper Craft!)

Looking for a cute fall craft for kids that’s easy to make AND has a fun little surprise? This Moving Eyes Scarecrow Craft is an adorable paper craft that kids will love because they can actually make their scarecrow’s eyes move back and forth!

Scarecrows are such a fun part of fall! Between pumpkin patches, hayrides, and colorful autumn leaves, they’re practically everywhere this time of year. And while traditional scarecrow crafts are always cute, this one has a little extra personality.

With just some construction paper, cardboard, glue, and a marker, kids can create their own colorful scarecrow with eyes that move when they slide a piece of paper behind its face.

How fun is THAT?!

This easy scarecrow craft is perfect for a fall afternoon at home, classroom art projects, homeschool activities, or Thanksgiving crafting with kids.

And the best part? You probably already have most of the supplies sitting in your craft bin!

Why You’ll Love This Moving Eyes Scarecrow Craft

There are SO many reasons this cute scarecrow craft is a winner!

• Simple supplies: You only need a few basic craft materials.
• Interactive fun: Kids can move their scarecrow’s eyes back and forth after finishing the craft.
• Great for fine motor skills: Cutting, gluing, tracing, and drawing give little hands plenty of practice.
• Encourages creativity: Kids can customize their scarecrow’s colors, facial expressions, and decorations.
• Perfect for fall: This craft works beautifully for autumn, harvest celebrations, and Thanksgiving activities.
• Budget-friendly: Construction paper and recycled cardboard keep the cost low.

Plus, kids get to PLAY with their finished creation instead of just hanging it on the refrigerator.

And if your kids are anything like mine, that makes a craft even more exciting!

See How The Scarecrow’s Eyes Move!

Supplies Needed for This Easy Scarecrow Craft

You don’t need anything fancy to make this adorable moving eyes scarecrow.

Materials

• Construction paper in assorted colors
• White paper for the moving eye strip
• Cardboard
• Black marker
• Glue
• Scissors
• Printable scarecrow craft template

Optional Supplies

• Crayons or colored pencils for extra details
• Scrap paper for additional decorations

Craft tip: Save cardboard from cereal boxes or other clean packaging. It's a great way to recycle materials while making kids' crafts!

How to Make a Moving Eyes Scarecrow Craft

Ready to make your own adorable scarecrow with moving eyes?

Follow these simple steps!

Step 1: Cut Out the Scarecrow Templates

Start by cutting out the different pieces of your scarecrow template.

You’ll need the scarecrow’s face, hair, hat, nose, cheeks, and any additional decorative details.

Trace each template piece onto the appropriate color of construction paper.

For example, you might use:

• Tan or light brown for the scarecrow’s face
• Yellow or orange for the straw hair
• Brown, green, or another fall color for the hat
• Orange for the nose
• Pink or red for the cheeks

Then carefully cut out all the pieces.

Parent tip: Younger kids may need help cutting out smaller details. You can prepare the pieces ahead of time and let them focus on assembling and decorating their scarecrow.

Step 2: Create the Moving Eyes Mechanism

This is the part that makes the craft extra fun!

Cut a piece of cardboard slightly smaller than the scarecrow’s face so it can be hidden behind the finished project.

Next, carefully cut a hole in the center of the cardboard.

The hole should be large enough for a finger to reach through and move the white paper.

Cut a strip of white paper that’s wide enough to sit behind the scarecrow’s eye openings.

Position the white paper between the scarecrow’s face and the cardboard backing.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT glue the white paper to the cardboard or the scarecrow's face!

The white paper needs to remain loose so it can slide back and forth.

Apply glue around the outer edges of the cardboard backing and attach the scarecrow’s face, leaving the white paper free to move between the layers.

Make sure the cardboard hole remains accessible from the back.

Step 3: Attach the Scarecrow’s Hair and Hat

Now it’s time to give your scarecrow some personality!

Glue the straw-colored paper hair along the top and sides of the scarecrow’s face.

You can arrange the pieces so they stick out in different directions, just like real straw.

Next, attach the hat over the top of the hair.

Try tilting the hat slightly to one side for an extra-cute look!

Kids can also decorate the hat with paper patches, stripes, or other colorful details.

Step 4: Add the Scarecrow’s Facial Features

Now your scarecrow needs a face!

Glue the paper nose onto the center of the face.

Add the rosy cheeks and any decorative patches or stitched details from your template.

You can use a black marker to draw a stitched smile or add a few extra lines to make your scarecrow look like it’s made from fabric.

Encourage kids to get creative!

Some scarecrows might have big smiles, while others might look surprised or silly.

That’s part of the fun.

Step 5: Draw the Moving Eyes

Once the scarecrow’s face is assembled, it’s time to add the eyes.

Using a black marker, draw two pupils on the white paper strip behind the face.

Make sure the pupils are positioned so they can be seen through the eye openings.

You can make the eyes look straight ahead, slightly to the side, or even a little silly.

Just remember that the white paper needs to move freely behind the face.

Helpful tip: Before drawing the pupils permanently, gently slide the white paper back and forth to check where the eyes will be visible.

Step 6: Make Your Scarecrow’s Eyes Move!

Now for the BEST part!

Turn your scarecrow over and locate the hole in the cardboard backing.

Place a finger through the hole and gently slide the white paper from side to side.

Watch as your scarecrow’s eyes move!

Kids will LOVE seeing their scarecrow look left, right, and all around.

If the eyes aren’t moving smoothly, check that the white paper hasn’t accidentally been glued to the face or cardboard.

You may also need to loosen the paper slightly or trim it so it can slide more easily.

And that’s it!

Your adorable moving eyes scarecrow is ready for some fall fun!

Tips for Making the Best Moving Eyes Scarecrow

This easy fall craft is pretty straightforward, but a few simple tips can make the process even easier.

Use Sturdy Cardboard

Thin cardboard from a cereal box works well for this project.

It’s sturdy enough to support the scarecrow’s face but easy enough for an adult to cut.

Keep the White Paper Loose

This is the MOST important part of the entire craft.

The white paper is what makes the eyes move.

If you glue it down, your scarecrow will still be cute, but the eyes won’t move!

Apply glue only where the cardboard backing attaches to the scarecrow’s face, keeping the moving strip and its sliding path clear.

Test the Eyes Before Finishing

Before attaching all the decorations, test the moving mechanism.

Make sure the pupils are visible through the eye openings and that the paper can slide smoothly.

It’s much easier to make adjustments before everything is glued into place.

Let Kids Choose Their Own Colors

Who says a scarecrow has to wear a brown hat?

Let your kids use purple, green, blue, or any other colors they love.

You might end up with a whole family of colorful scarecrows!

Prep the Pieces for Younger Kids

If you’re making this craft with preschoolers or kindergarteners, consider cutting out the template pieces and cardboard backing ahead of time.

Then kids can focus on tracing, gluing, decorating, and playing with their finished scarecrows.

Fun Ways to Use Your Moving Eyes Scarecrow Craft

Once your kids finish their scarecrows, don’t put them away just yet!

There are plenty of ways to enjoy these cute little creations.

Make a Fall Bulletin Board

If you’re making this craft in a classroom, display the finished scarecrows on a fall bulletin board.

You could use a title like:

“Fall Is Looking Good!”

Or:

“Eye Spy Some Awesome Scarecrows!”

Just make sure the back of each scarecrow remains accessible if you want kids to demonstrate the moving eyes.

Create a Scarecrow Puppet Show

Let kids invent stories featuring their scarecrows.

Maybe their scarecrow is guarding a pumpkin patch.

Or perhaps it’s trying to keep some silly crows away from the cornfield!

Kids can move the eyes while telling their stories.

This is a fun way to encourage imaginative play and storytelling.

Add It to Your Thanksgiving Activities

This scarecrow craft makes a great addition to Thanksgiving activities for kids.

Set up a simple craft station and let children make their own scarecrows while the adults prepare dinner.

It’s a fun way to keep little hands busy!

Make a Whole Scarecrow Family

Why stop at one?

Encourage kids to make several scarecrows with different hats, hair colors, and expressions.

They can even give each scarecrow a name and personality.

Educational Benefits of This Fall Craft for Kids

Crafting isn’t just a fun way to pass the time.

It also gives kids opportunities to practice important developmental skills.

Fine Motor Skills

Tracing, cutting, gluing, and drawing help children practice the small hand movements they use for writing and other everyday tasks.

Hand-Eye Coordination

Positioning the pupils and moving the paper strip encourages kids to coordinate what they see with how they move their hands.

Creativity and Self-Expression

Choosing colors and designing facial features allows kids to make their scarecrows unique.

Problem-Solving

If the moving eyes don’t work right away, kids can experiment with adjusting the paper strip or checking for glue in the wrong places.

It’s a simple introduction to figuring out how moving parts work.

Following Directions

Working through the steps in order gives children practice listening, sequencing, and completing a project.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Scarecrow Craft

More Fun Fall Crafts for Kids

If your kids enjoyed making this moving eyes scarecrow, keep the fall crafting fun going!

Try some other simple autumn craft ideas, such as:

• Paper Pumpkin Lacing Craft
• Fall handprint art
• Build-a-scarecrow cut-and-paste activities
• Disguise A Pumpkin Coloring And Cutting Craft
• Eye-Catching Scarecrow Suncatcher Craft
• Suncatcher Leaf Craft
• Moving eyes crafts
• Disguise a Turkey Craft

These activities are perfect for keeping kids busy on chilly afternoons, decorating your home for fall, or adding seasonal fun to your homeschool or classroom lessons.

Final Thoughts on This Moving Eyes Scarecrow Craft

Fall is the perfect time to pull out the construction paper, glue, and scissors and get creative with the kids!

And this Moving Eyes Scarecrow Craft is such a fun way to celebrate the season.

Not only do kids get to make an adorable scarecrow with their own choice of colors and decorations, but they also get the added excitement of making its eyes move!

It’s simple, budget-friendly, and perfect for kids who love interactive crafts.

Whether you’re looking for a Thanksgiving craft for kids, an easy fall classroom activity, or just something fun to do on a chilly afternoon, this little scarecrow is sure to be a hit.

So grab your supplies, gather the kids, and get ready to make some silly scarecrows with eyes that move!

Because sometimes the simplest crafts bring the BIGGEST smiles!