When we did Jubal's, we did it on cardboard, and it turned out great, I think. I do remember his teachers having a hard time keeping it up, but they managed. Gentry's is not as embellished for this reason, but I did use the costume they both wore for Halloween when they were two. I seriously got my money's worth out of it. ;)
Gentry was absolutely in love with his scarecrow, so that is all that matters to me.