Steps to Making a Kid Crafted Homemade Wild Bird Feeder Treat

Pets/Animals - Birds

By: ListMaker 24-Jan-2011

Introduction:

If you're not into paying a lot for bird treats at a wild bird store and would like to keep your children occupied for a while, why not put them to work making a kid crafted homemade wild bird feeder treat? This wild bird treat involves a pinecone, peanut butter, wild bird seed mix and some string and is very easy to make. Any age child will delight in putting one together and watching the birds feed.

Take Your Child For a Walk and Find a Pinecone

Your kid is going to need a pinecone for this nutritious wild bird treat so go take a nice walk together and hunt one down. Select a larger pinecone for more surface area. While you're at it, pick up a few pinecones and make more than one wild bird feeder treat.

Attach a String to the Top of the Pinecone

Since you'll be hanging your homemade treat for wild birds, attach a string firmly to the top of the pinecone. You can either drill a hole through the top or just firmly attach the string. Birds may be perching on the pinecone treat so make sure you've got the string attached tightly.

Slather the Pinecone With Peanut Butter

Place some peanut butter in a dish to keep from contaminating your peanut butter jar. Have your child spread the peanut butter around the pinecone with either a large knife or a rubber spatula. You might heat the peanut butter in the microwave just for 20 seconds or so to soften it and make the spreading task easier. Use chunky peanut butter for the tastiest wild bird treat.

Roll the Peanut Butter Pinecone In Bird Seed

Use a good quality, high fat bird seed, such as black sunflower seeds and have your child roll the pinecone around in the seed. Press lightly to get the birdseed to stick to the peanut butter. Note: black sunflower seeds will attract cardinals, nuthatches, black capped chickadees and bluejays among others. If you're looking to attract finches, roll the peanut butter pinecone in thistle seed. For the most variety of birds, buy a bag of wild bird seed mix which combines all types of birdseed.

Hang Your Homemade Treat For Wild Birds

Let your child select a tree branch and tie the pinecone to the branch so it hangs down. For your best bet to keep squirrels out of the birds' treat, hang it at least 6 feet down from a branch and at least 9 feet out from the tree (squirrels can jump 9 feet!).

Final Thoughts

Not only will you and your child have fun putting together these kid crafted homemade wild bird feeder treats, but the time you spend will be real quality time. Make more than one pinecone and wrap the extras in wax paper and throw them in the freezer for later use.

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ElaineChastain 3/23/2012
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I have a bag of thistle that hangs from the tree. So far the birds have ignored it so I'm going to take your idea and roll a peanut butter slathered pine cone in the thistle and try that. Thanks!
clewand550 2/2/2012
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Back to give you another H5.
tracyann 4/22/2011
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Great list.
clewand550 1/24/2011
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It has been a long time since I have made one of these. Good list. Thanks. H5.
ListingToTheLeft 1/24/2011
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This sounds like a great way to get kids interested in bird watching. Love the info about where to hang the pinecone so squirrels can't reach it!