How to Make a Bird Feeder With Children

CharlesLam: Flickr.com

These easy-to-make bird treat cookies are simple bird feeders that children can make with a little adult supervision. During the Christmas season, kids can use these cookies to decorate a Christmas tree for the birds. Using a wide variety of cookie-cutter shapes makes these bird feeders especially appealing to younger children.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Wax paper
Cookie cutters
Nonstick cooking spray
12 cups millet
2 cups flax seeds
2 cups black sunflower seeds
Large bowl
2 tablespoons butter
Saucepan
1 cup molasses
1/2 cup sugar
Candy thermometer
Wooden spoon
3 inch nail
Yarn

Step 1

Roll wax paper out on a counter or table and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Spray cookie cutters with nonstick cooking spray, and lay them on top of the wax paper.

Step 2

Combine millet, flax seeds and sunflower seeds in a large bowl. Stir until the seeds are well mixed.

Step 3

Melt butter in a saucepan. After the butter is melted, add molasses and sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.

Step 4

Bring to a boil, cover and let cook for about 3 minutes without stirring. Uncover and continue to boil without stirring until the syrup reaches 290 F on a candy thermometer. Pour the mixture over the seed mix.

Step 5

Stir the mixture until the syrup is distributed evenly. Spoon the birdseed mix into the cookie cutters.

Step 6

Grease fingers with butter and carefully press the seed mixture into each cookie cutter until it reaches the depth of the cookie cutter. Work quickly but carefully. The molasses will be hot.

Step 7

Press a nail into each bird treat cookie, making a hole. Let the treats cool and remove them from the cookie cutters. Thread yarn through the holes.

Step 8

Hang the treats on branches that can easily be seen from windows or decorate a special tree for a Christmas treat.

Tips & Warnings

If the nail won't go through the treat, carefully heat the tip, then press it into the bird cookie treat to make a hole.

Once the birds have eaten the food, the yarn can be used to line a nest.

Adult supervision is important when working with such hot materials.

Test the temperature before letting children press the bird treats into the cookie cutters.

Resources

Article Written By Jamie Hobbs

Jamie Hobbs graduated from Central Washington University with a BAed. She has been writing for Demand Studios and Suite 101 since 2008. Mrs. Hobbs work has also been printed in Yakima Family Times.

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