Dapper Ducks

When mrs. Mallard marched her brood to the Public Garden in MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, she caused quite a commotion. In these just-ducky costumes, you and your family can do the same this Halloween, undoubtedly quacking up every household you visit.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED
White baseball hat, 1/2 yard of orange felt, scissors, glue stick, black felt, 2 large white pom-poms, 2 sheets of orange construction paper, 2 self-adhesive Velcro strips, 2 large orange socks, polyfil batting, white cloth tape or duct tape, white sweatshirt (two sizes too big), 1/3 yard of yellow felt, 1 yard of white felt, orange leggings, white turtleneck and sneakers

THE DUCK CAP
Roughly trace the shape of the baseball hat visor onto orange felt twice, with a 1-inch margin around the front and sides. Cut out the shapes, then glue them to the top and underside of the visorwith the rounded edges slightly overlapping the front of the visor. Cut out four 1/2 inch-diameter black felt circles. Glue two of the circles to the visor for nostrils and the other two to the white pom-poms. Glue the pom-poms to the front of the hat for eyes.

DUCK FEET
Trace around each sneaker onto orange felt leaving a 1-inch margin; then cut out the tracings, making three webbed toes in the front of each foot. To add extra stiffness (optional), back the felt with orange construction paper. Gently fold the feet in half lengthwise and cut an asterisk shape into the back center of each foot, leaving a 3/4 inch-margin around the opening. Apply Velcro strips to the underside of the duck feet and the tops of the orange socks.

DUCK BODY AND WINGS
Shape polyfil into a thick cylindrical shape as wide as your "duck's" waist. Tape the stuffing inside the back of the sweatshirt. Cut three tail-feathers from the felt (ours are about 12 inches long). Fold the top 3 inches of each feather in half and tuck into the sweatpant waistband. To make a wing, fold a rectangle (ours is about 21 by 8) of white felt in half. Trace a simple wing shape onto the felt and cut it out, leaving the folded edge uncut. Adhere the tips of the wing together with double-sided tape or a glue stick. Be sure to leave a large enough sleeve for your child to slip his arm through. Repeat for the second wing.

PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Have your child wear the orange leggings, white turtleneck (tucked in at waist) and duck feet. Next, have him put on shoes (first) with socks over them. Finally, put on the sweatshirt and hat. And make way for ducklings.