Pinecone Bird Feeders

Materials:

• Pine Cones (one for each feeder)
• ¼ cup peanut butter
• Popsicle sticks
• 2 cups bird seed (mixed variety)
• String or yarn cut into 4-foot strips
• Old newspapers

Directions:

1.         Go for an outdoor walk with your child. Make it like a scavenger hunt, where you look for fun things out in nature. You may pick up uniquely shaped rocks, fallen acorns, or pretty flowers along the way. Tell your child that he or she will want to keep a special eye out for fallen pinecones. Tell them that you’re going to do a special project with any that you can find-but don’t tell them just what until you’re ready for the project!

2.         Once you’ve gathered your pinecones and other fun things from your walk you can begin your project. If the weather is permitting you can stay outside and work on a picnic table or outdoor furniture. If you’re looking for a rainy afternoon project you can go indoors as well. Begin by covering your work surface with old newspapers as this project can get a little messy!

3.         Use a Popsicle stick to spread peanut butter all over each pinecone. Make sure to cover all surfaces completely.

4.         Spread the birdseed out on top of newspapers. Roll each pinecone in the birdseed until it is completely coated and no peanut butter is visible. You may have to spread out additional bird seed.

5.         Tie a pieces of string around the top of each pinecone.

6.         Take your feeders outside to hang. Hang in front of a window where you can watch the birds from inside your home. As a fun learning experience watch the birds at a certain time every day with your child. Talk about what kinds of birds you see, and what they do while they eat. You can also talk about why birds have a hard time finding food in the winter, or how mother birds care for baby birds by bringing food back to them!

For even more fun:

Make your own peanut butter treats with your child!

Peanut Butter Rice Krispy Treats

• Ingredients:
• 3 tablespoons margarine or butter
• 1 package (10 oz.) regular marshmallows

OR

• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 6 cups puffed rice cereal
  

Directions:

1.         Melt margarine in large saucepan over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, mixing until smooth.

2.         Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

3.         Using buttered spatula or waxed paper, press mixture evening into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cut into 2-inch squares when cool. Best if served the same day.

4.         MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS: Microwave margarine and marshmallows on HIGH 2 minutes in microwave-safe bowl. Stir to combine. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute longer. Add peanut butter and stir until smooth. Add cereal. Stir until well coated. Press into pan as directed in step 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

NOTE: For best results, use fresh marshmallows.1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows. Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended. Store no more than two days in airtight container.