Wintertime Crafts for Kids: Making a Natural Birdfeeder

With the cold months coming, most of the spring and summer birds will fly south to warmer climates. However, there are a few, such as the cardinal that makes its home in the winter snows, just like you and your family does. However, unlike you, the scarlet red cardinal can't just go to the grocery store and grab some more food. The winter birds will spend most of their time scavenging for food among the winter woods. There is something, though that you and your child can make to help ease the burden on these lovely wintertime birds.

Making a bird feeder for the winter months is really a very simple process. In addition, it's a fun way for your kids to make a huge mess that is easy for you to clean up. All you need is a few pine cones, ones that have matured, a few pieces of tin foil, a spatula, a ribbon, some glue, a bunch of bird seed, and the all important ingredient of peanut butter.

The first step is to gather the kids around the table and spread out the pieces of tin foil. Now, give each child a pine cone and have each of them tie and glue a ribbon to the top of the pine cone. Wait a few minutes to make sure that the ribbons are attached securely. During this time, the kids can help you by opening up the bird seeds and pouring some of them out on the tin foil.

The next step is one that most kids find enjoyable since it is so messy. Take a big jar of peanut butter, a few spatulas, and let the kids spread the peanut butter all over the edges of the pine cone. Don't worry about peanut butter getting over the kids or on the table, it can easily be cleaned up.

Once the pine cones are completely covered in peanut butter, have the kids roll them in the bird seed that is covering the tin foil. Do it a few times, to make sure the bird seed covers every nook and cranny.

Now, once the bird seed feeds are complete, you and your kids can put on your winter clothes and start tramping outside to find a tree or two to hang your bird feeders. Make sure you hang a few of them near your windows so both you and your children can watch the birds and squirrels feed on the pine cone when it's too cold to go outside.