Feed the Birds: Pinecone Hangers

Pinecones are great kindling.  But they also make for a quick, easy, SUPER MESSY bird feeding project for the kiddos.  Sure, you can just put bird seed out like a smart person, but this way your kids get to play with scissors and knives and peanut butter and billions of tiny seeds and ovens ! What could go wrong? 

First, grab a bucket and a helper.  The chubbier the cheeks and the shorter the legs the better! It's just so cute... and head outside!

 Then, when you really want to get down to business, call-in your task-oriented child! 

 Leave a couple still lying around for good measure.

Take the rest inside and bake them in the oven at low heat.  

 I forget whether this is to force them to open or close. But it was very exciting to be putting pinecones in the oven! 

measure and cut some yarn or twine for hanging loops

 Bring in the experts for consultation

 Keep plenty of snacks on hand

 It's fun to work with friends

 First roll the pine cone in peanut butter.  Then roll it in the seeds. 

 Soon you won't really be a blessing to tell which one was which, so just get everybody in there crowded around and making a big, lovely mess. 

 Those chubby littlest fingers will be excited to FINALLY have a mom-sanctioned gooey-spreading, tiny-particle rolling activity! 

 Tie the yarn around the center part of the pine cone, and then tie with knots to make hanging loops. 

Hang in trees for your feathered friends.  We hung ours hoping to attract some beautiful birds to a very special friend's house.  But she said the furry friends probably got them first.  oops! 

 Oh well.  We had fun with it.