Maker Monday: Orange Peel Birdfeeder

After juicing oranges, the peels end up in the trash or on the compost heap. This week’s Maker Monday project gives new life to those citrus shells by creating Orange Peel Birdfeeders.

Bamboo skewers give small birds a place to perch while eating munching lunch.

Place your birdfeeder in a place where you can watch the traffic of chirping feeding birds. As birds come to feed, identify them through the Audubon Society Guide to North American Birds or have mom download the Audubon Guide Bird App.

Supplies:

Orange

Bamboo skewers

String

Birdseed

Scissors

Spoon

Take half of a juiced orange and use a spoon to scoop out the pulp.

Pierce the orange shell with a skewer about an inch below the edge and feed it straight across through the opposite side. Repeat with a second skewer, making an X across the middle.

Cut the string into two pieces about 18-20 inches long. Tie the string to each end to a skewer on opposite sides so that the strings make loops for hanging on a branch.

Fill the orange shell with birdseed and hang on a tree branch or sturdy bush and wait for those hungry birds!

For more Maker Monday projects and other fun stuff for kids, visit the Kidsburgh Activities page.