Day 4 - Pine Cone Bird Feeders

For day four LeeAnn and I decide to get in touch with nature. The weather had finally cleared and it was a beautiful day outside. Everyone, I'm sure, is familiar with this classic project, pine cone bird feeders. But I've managed to streach it into a half day long event to keep my active little one happy.

I’m not sure when they first started, but many birds love pine cone seeds and peanut butter is the prefect power packed, nutrient rich glue so what better way to whip up a quick treat. The only interesting historical fact I can offer is Peanut Butter was just one of George Washington Carver’s over 300 uses for peanuts[1]. It is by far my daughter's and my favorite use. For those of you with toddlers who have peanut allergies, you can use Crisco to add bird seed to the pine cones too.

We begin the day by loading into the car and taking a trip to Tractor Supply Company for bird seed. If you go in late March early April, they are selling their ducklings and chicks. We have gone for the last two years. The babies are so adorable and only available by the half dozen, so there is no temptation to take one home. Unfortunately today they also had rabbits. They were soft, little and tame. After about fifteen minutes of holding and petting one particular black rabbit, we ended up taking it home (stay clear of the rabbits or you to may end up with a Phineas)!

Once home LeeAnn and I went for a leisurely nature walk. We stopped at every pine tree looking at each type of pine cone and discussed why they would or would not work. It was nice being outside and by the time we got home she was ready to sit down, eat lunch and take a nap.

After lunch we tied the strings on our cones, smeared them with peanut butter and rolled them with in seed. LeeAnn and I then walked around the back yard and she chose which trees to hang them in. This is a great project for toddlers because with the exception  of tying them to the trees, your children can do each and every step required. It’s a lot of fun and attracts scores of birds into your back yard.

Pine Cone Bird Feeders

Supplies:

Pine Cones

String

Scissors

Spoon

Butter Knife

Two Medium Bowls

Peanut Butter

Bird Seed

News Paper

Instructions:

1. Collect as many pine cones of several shapes and sizes as you want and tie lengths of string securely around the top of the cone. To make clean up easy, lay down news paper or card board over the table top first.
2. Spoon the peanut butter into a bowl and with a butter knife allow your child to smear it all over the pine cone. (If you intend to use the peanut butter again, do not let the spoon touch the inside of the bowl or the used knives touch the inside of the peanut butter jar or the spoon.)

3. Pour the bird seed into the other bowl (to keep your toddler focused, don’t do this until you are ready to use the bird seed). Roll the PB cone in the bird seed until thoroughly covered.

4. Hang from tree branches and enjoy watching your new feathered friends.

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[1] http://www.biography.com/articles/George-Washington-Carver-9240299