This post is from Dana at http://danaallard.blogspot.com/who will be sharing a wonderful activity that you can do with your kids that will teach them about nature and get them outdoors. Sounds like what we are all looking for this spring and summer. As the weather warms up, nature comes alive and all sorts of creatures come out. This is the perfect time to observe some wild birds. This kid made bird seed wreath can help feed the birds while they enjoy watching them. After the birds are fed make this soda bottle watering can and feed the flowers!
My kids have recently been captivated by birds.We learned a little about these creatures of song during our last week of homeschool (we're done for the summer, hal-lelujah!). I love homeschooling. Love it.
But I am so looking forward to some wicked hot, sunshiney days with a good book and the kiddie pool.
So anyway. I got off track.
Birds.
The kids love them right now, and I thought it would be perfect to make some sort of bird feeder with them so that they can see our little birdy friends up a little more close and personal.
We decided to go with this particular project mainly because... well, we have no trees.
Not a single one. I looked for something that would go well (and look pretty) on our chain link fence and found the bird seed wreath.
So without further ado...
Kid Made Bird Seed Wreath
Here's what you're going to need:
- Cooking oil spray
- Bundt pan
- ½ cup of warm water
- 1 envelope of Knox gelatin
- ¾ cup of flour
- 3 Tablespoons of corn syrup
- 4 cups of bird seed
- A ribbon. (I used a scrap strip of burlap)
First, spray your pan with the cooking oil and set it aside. Whisk the gelatin and water together. Add in the flour and corn syrup and whisk it again. I measure things beforehand so the kids can just dump the ingredients into the bowl.It's easier for them and it's easier for me.
Once that's all mixed up, put in your bird seed. Mix it with a wooden spoon.
Mix it up good so that it's evenly coated in the flour mixture. All right, you got that? Here comes the fun part. Using your hands, transfer the bird seed mixture into the greased bundt pan and press it down.
The original recipe (linked at the bottom of this post) will tell you to use a wooden spoon for this. If you do, you will miss out on the most amazing sensory experience ever. The kids loved using their hands for this part of the project.
Set the pan somewhere to dry. Somewhere safe where the kids won't poke it and the dog won't try to eat it. Because you know they will. Let it dry overnight. If it's completely dry, it should come out of the pan easily and not fall apart. Tie the ribbon around it and hang somewhere you can see it and enjoy your new little visitors.
Isn't it pretty?
Inspired by: Infarrantly Creative.
Thank you so much Dana! This bird seed wreath is a great use for a bundt pan. It looks so pretty, like something you'd buy at a store. The kids look like they just LOVED getting their hands all messy. Hope you have had a lot of birdie visitors!
If you enjoyed this kid made bird seed wreath, you'll love:
Pressing Flowers with Kids
Ellie
Awesome! Good project for grandkids & nana. About how long did this last ?
Shani
How long do they keep. We want to make them for Christmas gifts. We don't wanna give mouldy gifts
Lydia Criss Mays
Aw, it's beautiful~ and so much fun for children. I'm sharing with my mommy friends. This is too cute!
Happy seeing beautiful!
Dana
Thank you for the kind comments, and thank you Vicky for having me 🙂
Rebekah
WOW, this is so beautiful and a great activity for kids. If you don't mind, I would love if you linked this up to The Outdoor Play Party over at The Golden Gleam.
Crafty Mischief
My kids would love this! They enjoy watching the birds gather at the bird feeder outside our window, but I think they would really dig making a treat for the birds with their own hands! Thanks for sharing!