Flip Over a Scarecrow

We're die-hard scarecrow people. Every year, our two daughters try to come up with a new way of dressing up or posing our latest creation. Last year, our scarecrow sat in a rocking chair on the front porch with an open volume of children's stories, perfectly dapper, until his head rolled off in late november. Happily, we've now come across a scarecrow who never loses his head--thanks to FAMILYFUN reader Al Schut of Muskegon, Michigan. he and his family literally turn their scarecrow--affectionately dubbed "Balancing Bob"--on his noggin. Set up Bob in your yard or at an autumn party, and he may soon be named the neighborhood mascot.

Medium Pumpkin
Permanent Markers Or Acrylic Paints And Brushes
Assorted Large Plastic Bags
Leaves
Overalls Or Pants
Boots
Duct Tape
Spool Of Fishing Line
Large Sewing Needle
Safety Pins
Flannel Shirt
Straw Hat
Coat Hanger Or Other Thick Wire

1. Holding the pumpkin upside down, draw or paint a face on it (the bottom of the pumpkin will be the top of Bob's head).

2. Loosely fill two tall plastic bags with leaves and insert them into Bob's pant legs. Slip the bottom of the pant legs into boots. Attach the boots to the pant legs, using duct tape or a needle threaded with fishing line.

3. Stuff Bob's shirt-sleeves and chest with bags of leaves. Attach his shirt to his overalls with safety pins.

4. Unbutton the top few shirt buttons, and insert a long piece of wire that stretches from one sleeve, through Bob's chest and out the other sleeve. rebutton the shirt.

5. Now, in the spot where you want Bob to be (you'll need an easily reachable tree branch or other overhanging support), place his hat on the ground, then put his head in place. have a helper raise Bob's legs while you insert the arm wires into the ground and position the neck of his shirt so that it meets his head.

6. Attach fishing line to Bob's boots. wrap the fishing line around an overhead branch and tie it securely. finally, make any adjustments to Bob's posture so he appears to be standing on his head.