DIY Bird Feeder Ornaments

As a child, I sat by the window, for what seemed like hours, waiting… waiting and then waiting some more. Eventually my patience paid off. A lonely sparrow landed, hopped around for a little while, nibbled at the seeds I so carefully had left, before he took off again.

Thankfully, when he returned he brought his entire family, because the rumor of free food spreads quickly, especially in the wild life community during the cold Danish winter months. The sparrow and his family came to LOVE our bird feeder.

I was fascinated by everything about nature as a child, and that is one passion and interest I wish to pass on to our four boys. We live in a suburban South Florida neighborhood. At first glance, it may appear that we lack wildlife and nature. But the constant chirping we hear outside reminds me that nature is all around us. It is just a matter of finding the teaching moments and embracing every opportunity to point out the wildlife that coexists around us.

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We recently made these quick and easy bird feeder ornaments, and the kids are already asking to make more for the rest of our yard. I am sure the local wild birds have no objections. This is a hand-on project for kids of all ages. The true education value comes in when the birds congregate to feed… This was definitely a nostalgic trip down my childhood memory lane.

Supplies needed:

Cookie cutters, medium or large

Twine

Straws

Cookie sheet

Parchment paper

Cooking spray

Wild birdseed mix, 4 cups

Flour, 3/4 cup

Unflavored gelatin, 1 envelope

Corn syrup, 3 tablespoons

Water, 1/2 cup

Directions:

Spray the inside of the cookie cutters with the cooking spray. Be sure to get all the nooks and crannies.
Place the greasy cookie cutters on a parchment-paper covered cookie sheet.
Cut the straws into 3” pieces, one per cookie cutter.

Now you are ready for the fun stuff:

Mix the water, gelatin, corn syrup and flour in a large bowl until it becomes a smooth paste.
Stir in the birdseed until they have become fully coated with the paste.
Spoon the birdseed mixture into the cookie cutters.
Press the birdseed into the cookie cutter with the back of a spoon.
Stick a straw in the top of the cookie cutter, about an inch from the edge.
Make sure the straw goes all the way through, and then leave it in the cookie cutter.
Let the birdseed mixture dry for 3-4 hours.
Push the dried seeds out of the cookie cutter, remove the straw and place the shaped birdseeds on the parchment paper.
Let them harden over night, flip them once or twice, so both sides dry evenly.
String the twine through the birdseed shapes.
Hang in your favorite tree… and wait for the action to happen!

This craft was so much fun to make with the kids, and they loved the final bonus fun of watching for birds. (Now I am wondering what plants will grow from the seeds that fell to the ground!)

Share in the comments, what is your favorite wild bird?