by Dagny Roth

Created on: March 10, 2009   Last Updated: March 29, 2009

Spring is here! Spring is here! Everyone is "twitterpated" according to the astute owl in the classic Disney movie Bambi. I just love the look in my children's eyes when they see the first flowers blooming or witness everything coming up fresh and new. Spring should be a time for celebration and merriment. It is finally warm and sunny! Winter is over and the whole world is waking up from a sleepy hibernation.

Are you looking for a a yummy and fun craft project to do with the kids for Spring or Easter? Try making a rice krispy bird nest which is one of my all time favorites to celebrate the coming of spring. The nests are beautiful and full of the pretty pastel colors of spring. We made the nests and placed them at each persons plate for Easter Dinner. Each family member had so much fun getting gooey and picking out fun candies and easter eggs to place in their baskets. They look beautiful and bring the inspiration of Spring to your table!

Follow this step by step instruction and involve the whole family! You can even have each family member personalize their own nest with their own colored coconut and candy

Materials:

1/4 cup butter, 4 cups miniature marshmallows or 40 large marshmallows, 5 cups crispy rice cereal (pastel-colored, if available), Pretty pastel Candy eggs, Marshmellow Peeps or other Easter candy 1/3 cup chocolate or butterscotch chips (optional), 1 cup chow mein noodles or green colored shredded coconut (optional)

Instructions:

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Be sure your child is not near the stove while you're doing this step.

2. Add the marshmallows and stir the mixture constantly over low heat until it's syrupy.

3. Turn off the heat.

4. Stir in the cereal until it's well coated.

5. form some of the mixture into a nest shape with hands or use a small bowl to mold.

6. Repeat this process with the remaining mixture.

7. Use the green colored coconut inside nest

8. Place a few candy eggs in each nest.

9. If you like, melt the chocolate or butterscotch chips and mix them with the chow mein noodles, then use this mixture instead of the cereal mixture to form nest shapes.

*Optional: Make little place cards to put inside each nest for the dinner table or create a sweet easter or Happy Spring card to give with the nest as a special gift for family or neighbors! Your kids will love interacting with you and taking part in the celebration of the Spring Season!

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