Pinecone Bird Feeders

Pinecone Bird Feeders

Age: Preschool through elementary
Time: 30 minutes
Type of activity: Nature craft

Materials:
  • Pinecones (one for each feeder)
  • 1/4 cup peanut butter (per pinecone)
  • Popsicle sticks
  • 2 cups bird seed (mixed variety)
  • String or yarn cut into 4-foot strips
  • Old newspapers
Directions:
  1. Take a walk outside with your child to collect an assortment of pinecones. Talk about the different kinds of pinecones you find and the kinds of trees they come from.
  2. Place old newspapers on the work surface where you'll be making your bird feeders.
  3. Using a popsicle stick, spread peanut butter all over each pinecone. Make sure to cover the surface completely.
  4. Spread out birdseed on top of the newspapers. Roll each pinecone in the birdseed until it's completely coated and no peanut butter is visible.
  5. Tie a piece of string around the top of each pinecone.
  6. You or another adult can now hang the pinecones from tree branches in your yard, or wherever you can watch the birds.
  7. Each day, watch your birdfeeder at the same time. Keep a record of the kinds of birds that visit. Talk with your child about why birds have a hard time finding food for in winter.

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