Pinecone Bird Feeders

Making bird feeders is such a lovely way to express and model our love for the animal kingdom and also provides a strong transition from a focused inside activity (in breath moment) to an outside activity (out breath moment).

Little hands love having the responsibility of spreading the lard or peanut butter onto the pinecones as well as the sensory experience of dipping them into the birdseed. This craft is wonderful for even the youngest of children because it is so forgiving and it is hard to make mistakes.

Supplies

• Pinecones
• String or Twine
• Lard or Peanut Butter
• Bird Seed Mix
• Butter Knife & Baking Sheet

Let’s Begin

1. Tie the string or twine around the pinecones in advance – it’s easier to do this now as opposed to when they are all sticky and seedy.
2. Arrange a bowl of lard or peanut butter in one bowl and the seed in another and have a baking sheet available to lay the finished feeders on.
3. Provide your child with the knife and demonstrate how to spread the lard or peanut butter onto the pine cone and then how to dip and spread the seed over top
4. Repeat until you have covered all the pinecones. You can make little seed balls for the squirrels or chipmunks (or possums!) with the left over seed and lard and leave them on ledges or on branches of trees.