Earth Day is coming up and what better way to honor the holiday then by being kind to our planet and the animals that live on it.
While we were cleaning up our yard over the weekend we collected many twigs and pine cones. And instead of throwing them in another large pile in our yard, we decided to make bird feeders with them.
My daughter made a pine cone bird feeder at her preschool a few weeks ago, so we made some more for our yard. And, we also made a Milk Carton Bird Feeder.
I remember seeing that idea in an old article in Parents Magazine. I never forgot it because it was so darn cute. Mine doesn’t look exactly like theirs because I like to go rouge with my creations. I know, I know, I’m wild and out of control. Ha!
Milk Carton Bird Feeder
Originally published in the August 2010 issue of Parents magazine
What you need:
Half-gallon milk carton
Box cutter
Acrylic paint
Paintbrush
Thin sticks
Pruning shears (optional)
Glue
Buttons or stickers
Bird seed
Directions:
Cut the bird feeder’s opening in the center of one side of the carton for your child.
Let them paint the outside of the carton in the color of their choice.
Break up sticks and glue along both top sides of the carton to create a roof.
Glue buttons and flowers on sides of bird feeder.
Punch a hole ½ inch below the opening and insert a stick for the perch; glue the end to inside back of carton.
Fill your bird feeder with birdseed and place it outside for the birds to enjoy.
Pine Cone Bird Feeders
What you need:
Pine cones, preferably open
8 inches of string or a pipe cleaner
Peanut butter or vegetable shortening
Birdseed mix
Plastic spoon or knife
Peanut Butter alternatives:
Sunflower seed butter
Almond butter
Vegetable shortening
Honey
Coconut oil
Directions:
Pour bird seed in a container with sides and set aside.
Take your ribbon or pipe cleaner and tie it around the top of the pine cone.
Next, have your child use a plastic spoon and scoop the peanut butter. Spread it on the pine cone.
Have your child take the peanut butter covered pine cone and roll it in the bird seed.
After the pine cone is covered with the seed, hang it on any tree or bush.
Check out a full demonstration on The Rhode Show! I made an appearance on April 19th with this fun tutorial!
