Pine Cone Bird Feeder Craft

A pine cone bird feeder craft is an easy, inexpensive, and fun outdoor craft to make. It can be easily done by one child or a group of 30 children. This day I had a group of thirteen children between the ages of two and ten.

Supplies Needed:

An inexpensive paper plate

A plastic knife

20" piece of twine

A medium sized pine cone

Creamy peanut butter (about 1- 1 1/2 oz. per pine cone)

Wild bird seed

A 4" piece of masking tape per child

Black sharpie marker

A place to hang the pine cones to set

Set up: Supply each child with a paper plate as a work surface, twine, plastic knife, pine cone, and a dab of peanut butter on the plate.

 

I enlisted the help of my oldest granddaughter for the set up.

How to make the bird feeder:

1. Tie the twine to the bottom of the pine cone. The bottom of the pine cone will be the top of your bird feeder. Younger children will need help with this. Write the names of the children using a sharpie on pieces of masking tape and fold in half to stick to itself over the twine hanger.

2. Have the children use the plastic knives to cover the entire surface, nooks, and crannies of the pine cone with peanut butter. Tell them that birds love peanut butter just like they do!

Once the pine cones are covered in peanut butter have the children roll the pine cone in a tub of bird seed until no more peanut butter can be seen.

 

Carry the pine cones by the twine and hang them in a cool place to set.

Once the peanut butter is set put the finished pine cone bird feeders in a one gallon plastic storage bag and tightly tie it shut for the ride home. This is a messy craft that needs to be done outdoors and stay outdoors!

To use:

Use the twine to tie the pine cone bird feeder to the branch of a tree. Make sure to put it in a place where birds can perch and reach the tasty bird seed treat! I like placing them within the view of a window so the children can quietly sit indoors and watch the birds snack and munch the pine cone bird feeders clean!

Note: Have a tub of baby wipes on hand for the children to use to wipe their hands when the craft is completed. I also handed out plastic spoons with a heaping teaspoon of peanut butter to the kids as they left. For some reason they were all craving peanut butter!