Scarecrow Upcycle Challange
The Scarecrow Upcycle Challenge is a standout part of our Scarecrow Festival that we look forward to each year. It's a friendly, eco-conscious competition designed specifically for secondary school students. This initiative invites local schools to create imaginative scarecrows using mostly recycled and repurposed materials.
This year, we’re inviting five local schools to take part. Each school can submit up to three scarecrows for judging, more can be made just for fun and display, but only three entries per school will be officially picked up and evaluated. The scarecrow that wins our internal judging for best use of recycled materials will earn a pizza party for their class, courtesy of Art’s Nursery.
Scarecrow_upcycle_info_poster_2025
We’re also excited to introduce a new feature: the Community Vote Favourite.
It’s a fun way to give your hard work even more recognition. Alongside our internal judging, visitors will be able to vote for their favourite student-made scarecrow. The community vote will launch around the same time as our internal judging and run for about a week leading up to Halloween.
So be sure to spread the word and tell your friends, family, neighbours, and classmates to come visit and vote for your amazing creation. The scarecrow with the most community votes earns bragging rights for the year!
How to get Started?
To join the fun, simply email Shae at sforbes@artsnursery.com to confirm your school and class by September 2nd, 2025. Let us know how many scarecrow kits you’ll need — whether it’s one, two, or three — and we’ll get them ready for your classroom!
Your kit(s) will be delivered bySeptember 12th and will include:
- A wooden frame
- Burlap
- Straw
Students are encouraged to build scarecrows that are creative, sturdy, and weather-resistant and we kindly ask that they avoid store-bought costumes. The goal is to think outside the box and craft something truly original that will surprise and delight the families visiting our nursery. So, how do you win? Each school’s entries will be showcased in our Scarecrow Stroll, where guests can walk through and view all the student creations on display.
How are your Scarecrows Judged?
- Internal Judging Panel – A group of four judges from Art’s Nursery will score each scarecrow based on: Craftsmanship Originality Sustainable design
- Community Vote – Visitors can cast a vote for their favourite scarecrow by filling out a ballot and dropping it into our on-site voting box.
It's a fun way for everyone to get involved and support their local schools! While the community vote gives bragging rights, the grand prize will be awarded to the scarecrow that receives the highest score from our internal judges. The winning school will earn a class pizza party, sponsored by Art’s Nursery, as a celebration of their hard work and creativity. Whether you're exploring the Scarecrow Stroll, supporting a student entry, or simply soaking up the sights and flavours of the season, the Scarecrow Festival is a fall experience you won’t want to miss. Come enjoy the fun, and help us celebrate community, sustainability, and imagination.
We can't wait to see all of your amazing creations!
What Do You Get If You Win?
If your scarecrow wins the internal judging for the best use of recycled and repurposed materials, you and your entire class will be treated to a well-deserved pizza party! We’ll make sure there’s plenty of delicious pizza to go around, so no one is left out, including the teacher! It’s a fun way to celebrate your creativity, teamwork, and commitment to sustainability after all the hard work you put into your scarecrow.
So, bring your best ideas and recycled materials, and you could be the lucky class enjoying a festive pizza party, courtesy of Art’s Nursery!