Maker Monday: Pine Cone Birdfeeder
As our warm-weather feathered friends head off to southern climes, it’s a great time to consider feeding birds who stay with us all winter long. This week’s Maker Monday — a Pine Cone Birdfeeder — is a simple activity that will provide lots of opportunities for lessons in natural science.
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. Keep a journal to track the kind of birds who visit your feeder. Watch for creatures like squirrels who might like to steal the food for themselves. They can be pretty tricky!
You can make several Pine Cone Birdfeeders and experiment with where to hang them. Do they attract more birds under cover of pine branches, or out in the open? A pan of water might be an attraction, too.
If your pine cones are tightly closed, place in a 300-degree oven for about 10 minutes.
Supplies:
Open pine cones
Peanut butter
Oatmeal or cornmeal
Wild birdseed
String or ribbon
Mix 1/2 cup peanut butter with 1/2 cup oatmeal or cornmeal.
Tie a length of string or ribbon just below the top two or three “petals.”
Push the peanut butter mixture in between the pine cone petals.
Pour the birdseed into a shallow pan. Roll the pine cone in the birdseed until completely covered.
Tie onto a tree branch or shrub near a window so you can watch the progress of feasting birds.
For more Maker Monday projects and other fun stuff for kids, visit the Kidsburgh Activities page.
