Fall Corn Cob Family

Here is another fall craft that is fun, easy, and the kids will be proud of the end product. This is a project that a friend of mine and I used to do with K-4 grade kids in 4-H. They can go the simple route the way I did in the picture or they can use embellishments such as jewels, beads, buttons to add their own flair to the corn cob people. Such as adding a small piece of flannel to the baby cob for a blanket, or small jewels on the mom for earrings.
Corn cobs can be found at any feed mill. Some hardware stores carry it as well or try Menard's, Lowe's, or Home Depot. Go through your scrap material or ask family members for scraps before going out to buy material. It takes so little that it is hardly worth buying if you can avoid it. Bandannas and handkerchiefs work as well. Most everything you need can be found in your home, or Grandma's.

Supply List

3 corn cobs per family

small pieces of material

small googly eyes

scissors

ribbon

hat

yarn

raffia (or ribbon)

glue

small hearts (or bead/sequin for mouth)

The first thing you need to do before getting the kids started is to find one tall piece of corn (dad), one piece a little shorter (mom) and then cut one in half, (child). Use the cob half with the pointed small end.  A small hand saw works great for cutting the corn or a large pocket knife.

1. To find out how big of a piece of material you need for the cob, place the material open and flat. Stand the corn cob up and place on top of the material. You will then take one corner and pull it up against the cob so that it is just under half way up the cob. You can then eye ball how big you need to cut out a square. Go a little bigger if you are not sure. You can always cut it down if it is too big. (A 7 inch square is USUALLY big enough for Dad.) Depending on the age of the children, I like to let them do the cutting whenever possible. Do this for all of the corn cobs.

2. Apply glue around the entire bottom 1/3 of the cob and to the bottom.

3. Place cob in the middle of the material and one by one take each corner of the material and press against the cob. Bring the corner straight up the side of the cob. Turn and do the same for the next corner and so on.

4. Once the material is pressed firmly all around, take a piece of raffia or ribbon and tie around the cob at the top of the material. Do this for all three cobs.

5. Glue eyes and mouth on each cob.

6. For Dad-Glue on a hat and make a small bow for under his mouth.

7. For Mom-You will need to make some hair from yarn. This sounds harder than it is. Have the child wrap the yarn around all of your fingers about 10 times. Remove from your hand and cut yarn at both ends. Lay a piece of yarn on the table to use to tie the hair. Place the "hair" on top of the yarn and tie in the middle of the hair. Trim hair to length desired. See helpful pictures below.

8. If you want to add extra embellishments here is when you would do that.

9. Place a long piece of raffia or ribbon on the table. Lay the Dad and Mom next to each other on top of the raffia/ribbon. Place the child cob on top of the Dad and Mom. Wrap the raffia around all three and tie in a bow.

Your family is now complete. Set it out as a center piece on the Thanksgiving table or maybe on the mantle. Enjoy all Autumn long!!!