by Ann-Katherine Souilliard

Created on: March 02, 2009

Making pine cone bird feeders is a fun, easy craft project that even very young children can enjoy doing and the finished project can be enjoyed by your family and the local wildlife. They require only a few supplies and a few minutes to make so even the most uncrafty parent can make these one Saturday with the kids. They also make an excellent craft project for groups such as preschool classes, Brownie or Daisy Girl Scout troops, and Tiger or Cub Scout packs.

The first thing you need to make these is pine cones, naturally. If you live near a large stand of pine trees, the children can go out and gather their own cones. Make sure that the cones are fully open and fairly fresh so that they are still sturdy enough to hold up to the weight of the birdseed and the birds. They need to be the heavy, woody pine cones, the long, thin, papery spruce cones will not work for this project. It doesn't matter how large or small the cones are although bigger cones will make longer lasting bird feeders. If you don't have access to a stand of pine trees, you can purchase large pine cones at many craft stores. You will find them near the potpourri and home decor items. Make sure that you purchase unscented, untreated pine cones.

After you have gathered your pine cones, you need to make some hangers for the bird feeders. These are made using loops of yarn or twine. Acrylic yarn is more colorful and will withstand the weather better, but will have to be removed from the tree when the feeder has been consumed. Natural twine is the more environmentally friendly option since birds can use it in their nests or it will rot like any other plant-based product. To make the hanger, cut a piece of twine roughly one foot in length, fold it in half and make a slip knot near the center of. The slip knot can be attached to either end of the pine cone but the hanger will be most secure if you work it between the last open round of scales and the base of the cone and tighten it around the core of the pine cone. It will hang a little lopsided this way but won't fall off the tree with the first big gust of wind. For most young children, attaching the hanger is going to require some adult assistance.

These next two steps can be very messy, so be sure you are working somewhere that is easy to clean up. The best way to attach the bird seed to the pine cone is using peanut butter, because it is safe for kids and wildlife and popular with both. So the next step is to spread a generous amount of peanut

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>