Now that it finally feels like winter, my motivation to get outside has been dropping alongside the freezing temps. If you’re like me and want to get your little ones outdoors more but are in need of ideas on what to do, try making a bird feeder as a winter craft. Each of these are fun and easy to make and are made of natural, biodegradable ingredients. Kids will love going on a walk to gather different materials and then arranging their creations that give back to nature. The feeders can hang on tree branches, bushes, snowman stick arms, or ideally anywhere within view of a window so that children can look out and watch feathered and furry friends enjoy their handiwork!
Ice Wreath Bird Feeder & Suncatcher
This feeder can only be crafted in the winter when temperatures are near freezing. All you need is a bundt pan or a large bowl, ribbon or twine, water, bird seed, and any natural materials your children would like to use. Orange/clementine slices, berries, dried fruit, pinecones and evergreen sprigs are some great additions that are bird friendly but have your littles use their imaginations. Once everything is added in, simply pop in the freezer or somewhere sheltered outside until the ice fully hardens. You’ll soon have an icy masterpiece ready to be hung in the yard. These feeders also double as suncatchers if placed in a location where you get natural sunlight. They’ll glisten and gleam until eventually melting away, and this is when the birds get to have their fun! See below for step by step instructions to make your own ice wreath feeder & suncatcher:
SUPPLIES
- Bundt pan or bowl with a wide diameter
- Ribbon or twine
- Bird seed and/or other bird friendly food (Orange/clementine/apple slices, berries, dried fruit, etc)
- Any natural materials you can find outside (Evergreen twigs, small pinecones, tree bark etc)
-Water
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Go outside and have children collect different materials they want to freeze inside their feeder
2. Fill up cups with materials that will be added into the wreath/suncatcher, so that children can easily access them
3. Encourage children to decorate the inside of the bundt pan or bowl to their liking - A bundt pan is the best choice if you prefer to make a wreath, however bowls work just as well for these feeders and will come out as a solid discs instead
4. Fill up the pan or bowl with roughly an inch or two of water - If you are using a bowl instead of a bundt pan, add in ribbon or twine at this point so that it will freeze into the feeder. Cut a considerable length for hanging and set towards the edge of the bowl with the ends submerged (see photos for reference) It’s a good idea to tape the ribbon on the side of the bowl so that it doesn’t move before freezing in place. If you are using a bundt pan, see Step 7
5. Move into the freezer or outside in a sheltered location - You may need to rearrange the feeder after transferring the pan/bowl as pieces will likely move around
6. Wait overnight or at least a few hours for the ice to fully harden, then remove from the freezer and (adults only) can use a butter knife to wedge out the finished product - Let the bowl/pan sit out for at least 15 minutes before removing your ice feeder or run warm water over it for a few seconds for easy removal
7. If you did not freeze ribbon/twine into the feeder and used a bundt pan, tie around the top of the feeder and hang outside!
Orange Peel Bird Feeder
This orange peel feeder comes together in just minutes and birds and squirrels will go crazy for it. The only things you need are a large orange, peanut butter (ideally unsalted and no sugar added), bird seed and/or dried berries, a pencil to poke holes and jute twine to hang. Simply slice the orange in half and hollow it out with a spoon. Grapefruit spoons work great or else you may need to cut around the edges of the orange with a knife to loosen it up before assisting your child with spooning out the contents. Once hollowed, prick 4 holes with a pencil or pen that are evenly spaced out and about ½ inch below the brim of the orange. Next, thread the twine through the holes and knot them. Your child can then fill with peanut butter and birdseed. Once filled you simply hang the orange with twine and wait for little visitors to come by! Don’t be surprised if your feeder disappears one day, as squirrels will eat the entire orange peel. See below for step by step instructions to make your own orange peel feeder:
SUPPLIES
Navel orange
Peanut butter
Bird seed and/or dried berries
Pen/pencil
Spoon
Knife (Adult use only)
Scissors
Jute twine
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Slice orange horizontally with knife and carve around the edge of one half to loosen up the flesh
2. Using a spoon, assist children with hollowing out the inside of the orange
3. Poke four holes into the orange that are evenly spaced out and about ½ inch below the edge. Then cut 4 pieces of jute twine about 15-20” long, to thread through each hole and then double knot the ends into place - This step is best done by adults only
4. Have children line inside of orange with peanut or any nut butter and then fill with bird seed - If you have a child with a nut allergy, you can still make this feeder by skipping this step altogether. You can also substitute the bird seed with dried fruit or pieces of orange flesh as many bird seed variations contain peanuts.
5. Knot the top of the four pieces of twine together to take outside to hang!
Pinecone Bird Feeder
This last feeder is the easiest to put together and the most toddler friendly on this list. My 20 month old managed to do most of the craft herself and while it kept her entertained it also helped with her fine motor skills. You’ll first need to venture outside with your little ones on a pinecone hunt, as this will serve as the base of the feeder. Once collected, spread peanut butter all over the bristles of the pinecone and then gently roll around on a plate covered in bird seed. The last step is to tie the pinecone with string or twine before hanging it outside! See below for step by step instructions to make your own orange peel feeder:
SUPPLIES
Pinecone
Peanut butter
Bird seed
Spoon or blunt toddler knife for spreading
String or twine
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Take children outside to collect pinecones - If snow is covering the ground and you cannot find any pinecones, you can order some from Etsy or Amazon
2. Using a spoon or blunt knife, encourage children to spread peanut butter all over the pinecone
3. Fill a plate with bird seed, and have children sprinkle seeds all over the pinecone or roll it around until covered with seeds
4. Tie string or twine around pinecone and take outside to hang!
BIRD FACTS
- Peanut butter is an excellent snack for birds in the winter time as it provides them with healthy fats needed to keep them warm. Blue jays and woodpeckers in particular love this tasty treat. Try to look for unsalted peanut butter with no added sugars.
- Citrus and orange peels attract cardinals and woodpeckers, but it is also a favorite of squirrels!
- Both squirrels and many species of birds rely heavily on pinecone seeds as a food source
In need of bird seed? Try one of these brands:
Disclosure – This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them I may make a small commission. This does not affect the price you pay.
Comments