Birdy, it's cold outside

I often find myself trying to come up with some sort of fun project or craft that my kiddos can do that isn't TOO much work for me, but yet fun enough to keep them entertained for a few minutes. With kids ranging from 3-12, it's not always easy to find something they will all enjoy or be able to do.

For Valentine's Day I thought it might be fun to make some little bird feeders for our feathered friends. Back in the day we used to just smear peanut butter all over a pine cone, sprinkle it with birdseed, then call it a day.These days we are using unflavored gelatin (fancy schmancy!) It was definitely a cleaner alternative to the peanut butter mess. Here's what we did.


What you'll need:

2 Packets Knox Gelatin, unflavored
2/3 C water
2 C Bird Seed
Several pieces of cooking twine or yarn
Cookie cutters

In a medium saucepan, combine water and gelatin. Stir the gelatin until it is dissolved. Increase temperature to medium and stir constantly, bringing water to a simmer. Remove from heat, then stir in bird seed. If you can still see liquid at the bottom of your saucepan, add more seed. You don't want this mixture to be too runny. Allow to cool for a couple of minutes while you prep your cookie cutters.

Place a piece of parchment on your work area (I used some old cookie sheets.) Center a cookie cutter or two on the parchment, then use a spoon to fill the cutters about halfway with the bird seed mixture. Place a piece of cooking twine, or yarn on the bird seed, then fill the cutter the rest of the way with the seed mixture. Allow to dry lying on the parchment for 4-5 hours. Once you are able to lift it from the parchment, tip cutters on their side so they can dry on both sides. Let dry overnight.

The next day, pop your feeders out of the cutters. Hang them on a few tree branches, and wait for the birds to come a running...err....flying!