Sometimes it’s the simple bird feeders that prove to be the most effective. Whether you’re looking to attract more birds to your yard, or if you want to keep your child occupied for a while (or both), you should take a look at some of the following do-it-yourself bird feeders. They are fun for children of all ages, easy to make, and guaranteed to attract birds and other wildlife.
Peanut Butter and Bird Seed Covered Pine Cone
For this project, you’ll need one large pine cone, a couple feet of craft string, a jar of peanut butter and some store-bought bird seed mix. Using a butter knife, smear peanut butter across the surface of the pine cone, getting deep inside the cracks and crevices. Next, pour a generous amount of bird seed into a disposable bowl and roll the pine cone around in it. Your child may get messy during this step, so keep some paper towels nearby. After coating the pine cone with bird seed, use the craft string to tie a knot around the tip and hang it from a tree branch with the other end.
Peanut Butter and Bird Seed Covered Toilet Paper Roll
Another fun bird feeder that’s perfect for children of all ages involves peanut butter, bird seed mix and an roll of toilet paper. Notice a pattern here? Peanut butter and bird seed mix can be used to create dozens of different bird feeder, so don’t be afraid to experiment with your own designs.
This bird feeder is created in a similar manner as the pine cone feeder: take the empty roll of toilet paper and cover it with peanut butter. Next, pour some bird seed mix on a disposable plate and roll it around. Make sure the toilet paper roll is thoroughly covered in bird seed and go find an empty branch to hang it. The great thing about this bird feeder is the fact that you don’t need any special ropes, strings or hooks to hang it, as you can place it directly over a branch.
Pumpkin Bird Feeder
If you really want to take a step away from the traditional homemade bird feeders, you should make one out of a pumpkin. Yes, pumpkins can be transformed into bird feeders, and we all know how much kids love to play with pumpkins. The only downside is that you may have to wait until fall to get your hands on one of these seasonal fruits.
Carefully carve the center of the pumpkin out (parents should perform the carving), leaving both the top and bottom intact. Your goal is to remove the front and back of the pumpkin so birds can rest in the center to feast on the seeds. When the front and back are removed, fill it with bird seed mix and hang it on a sturdy tree branch.