Although scarecrows were originally utilized by farmers to keep predators away, these figures have become popular decorations during the autumn months. In fact, most kids usually see them perched on front porches alongside pumpkins, blocks of hay, and in children's books about scarecrows. Stores with seasonal items sell scarecrows with friendly round faces, ready to spruce up the front yard or take a seat on a rocking chair. Of course there are scary varieties with angry expressions, dressed in old, dirty rags indicating a hardened life. Here are some pretty interesting facts about how scarecrows originated and how they have changed over the years.

 

Scarecrow Facts to Share With Children 

 

Scarecrows have been around since 2500 B.C. 

The original scarecrows are traced back to Greek farmers. They carved the god of vegetable gardens (Priapus) into wooden structures to keep birds away from the vineyards. Egyptians also built scarecrows to protect the wheat fields along the Nile.

 

 

Birds are too smart to be frightened by scarecrows. 

It turns out that scarecrows are not very good at their job. Birds quickly learned that these stationary figures were not a threat, so farmers had to find other ways to protect their crops. Windmills and other technology seem to be more effective.

 

 

Medieval Britain hired "bird scarers". 

Young boys were put to work scaring birds away from the crops. They would run through the fields with large bags of rocks to throw at birds trying to eat the seeds and budding vegetation. After the Great Plague, the population dropped so low and there were not enough boys to help, so farmers began utilizing scarecrows instead.

 

 

The most famous scarecrow was introduced in The Wizard of Oz. 

The endearing, fictional character epitomizes a scarecrow's lack of purpose and ineffectiveness. The sad sack of hay wants nothing more in life than to have a brain. Audiences quickly felt sorry for this sorry fellow who wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed.

 

 

Formidophobia is the fear of scarecrows. 

Although the purpose of scarecrows is to frighten birds, some people have developed phobias of these scary figures. People with this phobia suffer negative physical reactions when crossing paths with a real scarecrow, a decoration, or someone dressed in a scarecrow costume.