Pine Cone Bird Feeders

My first ever author newsletter went out yesterday! YAY!!! I was thrilled about the number of people who signed up and the response I got, including how many people opened it.

THANK YOU! 

Next month's newsletter is going to be EVEN BETTER! ;)

***

I love to do nature projects with my nephews. A while ago we made pine cone bird feeders. It was really fun and easy. And it’s perfect for the summer when birds are everywhere.

Need:

Pine Cones

Peanut butter

Bird seed

Paper plates

Plastic knives

String

Scissors

Instructions:

1. Go for a walk or hunt through the woods with your kids/grandkids for pine cones, but be careful because some pine cones can be sharp!

2. Cut about 4-5 inches of string. Tie it to the top spike on the pine cones. Keep the two ends untied for hanging.

3. Scoop out some peanut butter into a bowl.

4. Give the kids a plastic knife, place a paper plate in front of them, and have them spread peanut butter over the pine cones. My youngest nephew had fun putting peanut butter deep into the cones.

TIP: Closed pine cones are easier to smear peanut butter over.

My youngest nephew was very focused.

5. Once all the pine cones are coated, pour an inch or so of bird seed in a paper plate and have the kids roll their pine cones over it until all the peanut butter is hidden by seeds.

TIP: Give them a spoon to help them get seeds into all the nooks and cranies.

6. Bring the kids outside and have the pick out branches they want to hand their pine cone bird feeders from. If the branches are low enough, they can tie them on themselves or you might have to tie them on.

My oldest nephew liked finding spots for them to hang.

7. Sit back, be quiet, and watch for birds.

After my nephews and I put all the pine cones up, a Red Cardinal was already inspecting one.

TIP: If you sit long enough and get a lot of bird visitors, you can have the kids look them up in a bird book or online (Google birds native to your area, find a website with a lot of pictures, and have the kids point out the birds they saw.)

The next day, our pinecone birdfeeders were picked clean. One word…squirrels.

Those dudes are sneaky and clever! If you have a lot of squirrels in your area, they may devour the goodies before the birds can. I’m not sure how you can keep them away from these pine cone bird feeders, but they have to eat too, don’t they?

 

We saw one Red Cardinal creeping up.

QUESTION: Have you ever done this project with your kids, or when you were a kid? I remember doing it in kindergarten or first grade.

*********************************

BUT YOU CAN STILL ENTER THE GIVEAWAY!

$10 Amazon eGift Card when you sign up for my newsletter!

Follow this link to a sign up form: Chrys' Chronicles Sign up Form

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Make sure to check for the confirmation email! :)

Thanks!