Posted by on Dec 20, 2013 in Christmas Activities, Gift Ideas, Picture Book Activities, Winter Activities, Winter Picture Book Activities | 0 comments

We were browsing at our local farmer’s market last weekend, when I came across a vendor selling winter bird feeders in the shapes of stockings, wreaths, and other festive  motifs. They reminded me of the spring bird feeders M and I made over a year ago, and I thought to myself, I could totally make those! So, a few days later, we did :).

Stranger in the Woods

Before making our winter bird feeders I read Stranger in the Woods, by Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick, to my bugs.

Stranger in the Woods

This story is unique in that it uses wildlife photography to capture the reactions of different animals to a snowman in the woods. The reason why I thought this story tied in nicely to making our own winter bird feeders is because the children in the story decorate the snowman using food the animals can eat such as nuts, seeds and a carrot nose. I explained to the boys that some birds fly south for the winter, while other birds stay here. The snow makes it more difficult for them to find food so, by making our bird feeders, we are helping them out.

Materials:

  • Bundt Pan
  • Cooking Spray
  • 4 packets of Knox gelatin
  • 1 1/3 cups of water
  • 4 cups of birdseed
  • Cranberries (I used Craisins, but I think frozen cranberries would look way prettier)
  • Ribbon

Wreath Bird Feeder

 

Wreath Bird Feeder

First I dissolved 4 packets of gelatin in 1 1/3 cups of water, brought it to a simmer, then removed it from the heat.

Next, I mixed in 4 cups of birdseed.

Wreath Bird Feeder 1

M sprinkled some Craisins into the bottom of the bundt pan, which had been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, and then I spread the bird feed mixture over top.

Wreath Bird Feeder 5  Wreath Bird Feeder 4

M poked a few more Craisins into the top of the wreath and I popped it into the fridge to set for about 2 hours.

Wreath Bird Feeder 3  Wreath Bird Feeder 2

When it was ready, I flipped the bundt pan over onto a cutting board and let it sit for a few hours, before tying a ribbon through the wreath and finishing it off with a big, festive bow.

Wreath Bird Feeder 7  Wreath Bird Feeder 6

We ended up making two wreath bird feeders: one to hang on our spruce tree outside, and one to give to my mom.

Wreath Bird Feeder 8  Wreath Bird Feeder 12

I wrapped the one I am giving my mom in some tissue paper, and tied it with the same roll of ribbon I used for the wreath.

Wreath Bird Feeder 13

Click the links for more holiday gift ideas and winter activities.

Thanks for stopping by, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

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