Oh my, look at these sweet little faces. These pictures were taken when we made the Kids Quick Pinecone Bird Feeder Project a few years ago and the grands have grown so much. That’s a reminder for all of us to take advantage of the times we have together to do fun activities that nurture relationship and creativity. The memories are priceless.
Want a very simple project to do together on one of these beautiful fall afternoons?
How to Make a Pinecone Bird Feeder
Just a couple supplies and a quick walk to pick up some pinecones and you have the makings for a great time together with your grands. Plus, the non-migrating birds will love eating peanut butter and bird seed as food gets less available for them in the winter months.
I found these beautiful pinecones in town along the sidewalk. It was a bit awkward to carry them around on my walk, but I’m sure glad I did.
If our time as a family had been longer, we could have gone together to pick up the pinecones. Maybe next time.
When the grands came a couple weeks later, I had the peanut butter and the birdseed ready to go. A couple plates, knives and string were the only other things we needed to make this project happen.
A Few Craft Tips
If I had this activity to do over again, I would tie the String on the top of the pinecone before starting the craft. Tying it at the end of the project after it is already covered with peanut butter was a bit challenging! I took one for the team and can make it easier for you! Ha!
The paper plate option is so easy and makes clean up fast (White Uncoated Paper Plates, 9 Inch
). But if you prefer, grab some of your regular plates and use those to keep the birdseed from going everywhere.
We spread a tablespoon or so of peanut butter on each child’s plate. It can be Creamy PB or Crunchy PB. The tricky part was keeping them from eating it all! There is no harm done if they eat the peanut butter before the birdseed is applied. But a graham cracker and peanut butter snack may be a better option and take care of this small problem!
Each grand chose a pinecone and started spreading the peanut butter all over it. I really like the little plastic butter/icing Spreader Knives for this. The kids found them easier to hold and use.
Oh my, this was cute to watch. Even the smallest grand could spread peanut butter mostly by themselves. Look at how intent they are.
An additional plate held Wild Bird Food. When the grand had their pinecone covered with peanut butter, they rolled it in the bird seed.
Tie the string to the top of the pinecone for hanging if you didn't so so before starting the craft. Consider how big around the tree branch that they will hang it from as well as how high up that branch is. Cut a longer string for this purpose. Better to have extra than not enough string for hanging.
Place the finished pinecones in plastic bags to take home so there’s no mess in the car.
That’s it! Except for clean up of course. 🙂
Talk about an easy nature craft that is both fun to make and useful. Hang it outside on a tree to provide a Thanksgiving feast for the birds.
You can cover them with peanut butter and bird seed again when the birds have cleaned them off. Or try making a plastic bottle bird feeder next!
More Ideas for Kids Interested in Birds
This is a great opportunity to talk with the grands about birds, migration and types of birds in your area that stay for the winter. Perhaps you could use something like this Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America to help find out the kinds of birds you see in your yard. Binoculars (Bushnell Binoculars) are fun to have and use as well.
We made a bird feeder out of a water bottle in a previous WTN post. You may want to try that with your extra bird seed. That is another quick and easy craft for kids. Check out the Make a Recycled Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder Post.
Try the Kids Quick Pinecone Bird Feeder Project and enjoy the moment with the grands. They are growing up quickly!
Supplies for Kid's Quick Pinecone Bird Feeder
- Pinecones
- Peanut butter- Creamy PB or Crunchy PB
- Butter Spreader Knives or kitchen knife
- Wild Bird Food
- String
- Scissors
- White Uncoated Paper Plates, 9 Inch
- Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (optional)
- Bushnell Binoculars (optional)
If you try this craft, let me know! Go ahead and leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
Enjoy!
Kids Quick Pinecone Bird Feeder
Equipment
- Scissors
- Butter Spreader Knives or kitchen knife
- White Uncoated Paper Plates, 9 Inch
Items Required
- 1 Pinecone
- ½ cup Wild Bird Food
- String
- 1-2 tablespoon Peanut butter- Creamy PB or Crunchy PB
Instructions
- Spread a tablespoon or so of peanut butter on each child’s plate
- Tie a long piece of string around the top of the pinecones, leaving enough string to tie the pinecone around the branch of a tree.
- Let each child choose a pinecone and spread the peanut butter all over it.
- Pour the birdseed onto a plate and let the child roll the peanut buttered pinecone in the birdseed.
- Hang it outside on a tree to provide a Thanksgiving feast for the birds. You can cover them with peanut butter and bird seed again when the birds have cleaned them off.
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