Pine Cone Bird Feeders

          The adventure this weekend was a mystery. My kids and I made these super easy bird feeders and had a blast making a mess but little did we know it would create a mystery. After hanging our new bird feeders in the front yard tree it only took an hour and one feeder (mind you the whole feeder) went missing. The kids were puzzled and a little upset that something stole their hard work. An hour later another one went missing without a trace. Hummm, what is going on here? Then the thief showed his or herself at the base of the tree. A big fat grey squirrel climbed up the tree cautiously looking around and went on the branch where the final bird feeder hung, pulled up the bird feeder, untied it and ran off with the whole thing. My two children stood with eyes wide open. The mystery had been solved and the kids happily screeched "Let's make more!". So check out the supplies below and create your own mystery/adventure.

Supplies:

1. Large pine cones
2. Peanut butter or for those with allergies use Crisco
3. Bird seed
4. Popsicle sticks for spreading the Crisco/peanut butter (butter knives work too)
5. Paper plates to keep the mess to a minimum or newspaper
6. Twine (string, yarn or ribbon works too)
7. Spoon

Step 1:  Smear the peanut butter/Crisco in the grooves and all over the pine cone until it is fully covered with the Popsicle stick or butter knife.

Step 2:  Spoon birdseed all over the areas covered in the peanut butter/Crisco until all the peanut butter/ Crisco is all covered.

Step 3:  Tie a piece of twine to the end of the pine cone tightly.

Step 4:  Tie the end of the twine to a tree and let hang.


       There you have it, an easy bird and apparently squirrel feeder you can make year round. Have fun and a warning this project can be messy but don't sweat it once it is nice out this is a great outside project to do with the kids. Enjoy and Hoppy Crafting.