Pine Cone Bird Feeders

Confined still to the house, we've been doing yet more crazy things with pine cones today.

The un-naturally large cones that Ruby bought home from the park seem to be breeding. I'm thinking of releasing them back into the wild as I'm running out of ideas to do with them.

We decided it would be nice to make some bird-feeders, and after much trawling of the internet it seemed the easiest and safest way to do this would be using peanut butter.  I couldn't think of a toddler-safe way of using melted fat!

Apparently it's better for the birds if you use low fat and low salt peanut butter.  Also, I shouldn't really have to say this, but as I don't want to get sued, please bear in mind:

YOU SHOULD NOT DO THIS ACTIVITY IF YOU OR YOUR CHILD IS ALLERGIC TO PEANUTS!!!!!

Got that?  Right, butt suitably covered, lets move on.

You will need

• Pine cones (don't feel inadequate by my super-sized cones, normal ones will do!)
• Peanut butter
• Bird seed
• Tray
• String

First, tie some string to the cone to make a hanger. It needs to hang from the pointy end (stalk end down).

Then, using a spoon, smear the cone with peanut butter. Try and fill the crevices with sticky peanut butter.

Abandon spoon because apparently it's much more fun with your hands!

Mmmm, yummy.  Next, place your sticky cone in a tray. I bought this one from a Poundshop, I think it's intended as a cat litter tray but I thought it would be great for messy play.  Incidentally, the big bag of seed was also from the Poundshop (I'm so frugal!).  Sprinkle bird seed over the cone so it sticks to the peanut butter 'glue'.

Roll, sprinkle, dip or throw - whatever works best - to make sure all the peanut butter is covered in seed. Shake off excess.

Finally hang outside for the birds to enjoy.

We then retreated indoors to watch the bird feast commence from the window, but Ruby soon got bored of that game. It seems toddlers don't make great twitchers!

This post is also linked here, pop over for more great kids craft ideas x