If you want to get your kids interested in bird watching, then what better way than to have them make their own bird feeders. Apart from keeping the children occupied making the bird feeders, they will then want to see the birds eating from them. Here are a few bird feeders crafts for kids which use things you'll have around the house or garden.
Pine Cone and Peanut Butter
Collect a few pine cones from your garden or nearby woods; the large ones have a better area. Tie some string around the pine cone and knot it so it won't slip off. Then make a loop with the remaining string so that you can hang it from a tree or hook on a bird feeder. Now smear peanut butter all over the pine cone and roll it in some sunflower seeds on a plate until lots of seeds are stuck to the peanut butter.
Hang up your bird feeder and wait for the birds to arrive. When all the seeds and peanut butter have been eaten, retrieve the pine cone and start again. You can hang up several of these in different places.
Net of Peanuts
Take a pair of old tights or a stocking, fill about 25cm (one foot) of a leg with peanuts (the sort you get in a shell, not salted ones) and tie a knot in the leg or tie it off with string so that you can re-use it. Cut off the excess stocking and tie string round the top so that you can hang it up. If the mesh of the stocking is very fine, puncture holes into it with a pencil so that the birds can get at the nuts.
String of Goodies
For this you can use dried fruit, stale bread, toast, cereal with a hole in it or popcorn but make sure it's not salted or sweetened, just plain. You can have fun making the popcorn with the children as well.
Thread a darning needle with some fishing line or strong yarn and thread on your chosen treats. Festoon a tree with your string of goodies and you'll probably find the squirrels will thank you as well as the birds.
Obviously, these bird feeders to make with children are suitable for the very young but as they get older you can try more advanced bird feeders crafts for kids doing basic woodwork.
For more information about birds for children, visit Liz Canham's website Worldwide Bird Watching.
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I always considered myself a crafty kinda girl, but with 3 boys the crafts usually stop with me. LOL This would be really nice to put in the tree in our front yard but then I caution myself because I would think this would result in tons of bird droppings on the sidewalk, IDK. Still a cute project to make and observe the birds using it 🙂
LaTonya (Detroit Mom) recently posted..Outburst Energy Bites Review & Giveaway!
Oh..I just love this idea! It’s fun for the kids and educates them on how to be humane, as well! I am going to do this with my grandkids this Spring..really thinking the pine cones would be the funnest for us!
I love these bird feeders. I want to make some but we have bears who aren’t sleeping because of all the warm weather…so the birds are missing out.
Theresa recently posted..Awaken: The Patronus Book One ~ Review
I have not made these since I was in grade school! My kids would love these and we have a big pine tree that drops pine cones!
Great idea for a rainy day activity.
I love these ideas. They seem easy and my family loves watching the different birds. Thank you for sharing!
I remember making a bird feeder at school! so fun and so easy to do.
Stephanie recently posted..{Book Tour} Awaken Review
What a fantastic idea! We always do hummingbird feeders, but nothing else. I think it’s time for a change! 🙂
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This is a great idea and craft for the kids.
Great idea,did similar thing with my kids when they were little,great to do one with the grandkids now 🙂