From birdseed balls to bird seed ornaments, learn more about making all kinds of bird treats.
We have lots of birds in our yard and I got to thinking about them. During the summer months, they all gather at our fountain and fly right into our windows (seriously, I hear a crash every week)! But during the winter months, what are they doing around here? It's cold, dreary and wet.
So, I picked up some birdseed and decided to use some things in our pantry to make some homemade bird food.
Make All Kinds of Birdseed Treats from Birdseed Balls to Birdseed Blocks
To help feed those birds during the winter months you can make all kinds of bird treats. I'm going to round up a few below but for most of them you just combine birdseed and a few pantry items, like peanut butter and lard, to make the bird treats. I think this is such a perfect kid's project on a rainy afternoon.
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Shop Bird Treat Supplies
- Bird Seed*
- Pre-made fruit and wild seed ornament (if you decide the DIY route isn't for you)
*If you want to know more about bird seed before we get started on these DIYs, I found this quick guide to seed types that looks helpful!
DIY Bird Treats including Bird Seed Balls, Birdseed Ornaments and Bird Seed Blocks
A traditional bird seed ball is a great project for your kids on a rainy day. You basically mix all the ingredients together and then roll it in seed.
Use different cookie cutter shapes to make these birdseed ornaments.
Birdseed blocks can be made much cheaper than buying them. Plus, without the need for fancy molds or cookie cutters, these might even have less waste when it comes to the actual bird seed.
Gelatin is used to keep these suet cakes together. Use any mold you want, but the heart mold pan does make a cute bird treat!
With any of these bird treats or even if you wanted to make bird seed wreaths, just add twine or string and you can easily hang them from a tree.
Looking for other kid-friendly outdoor activities?
My little helped me clean our siding without a pressure washer and it was a fun project to do together. Or, a more crafty DIY was adding a bucket and pulley to our wooden play set.
Stephanie @ Casa Watkins Living
Great project for kids! Easy to do and my birdies will love them.
Ashley Mayes
I had mine out for about 1 week and they were all gone. They birdies loved them!
Linda Lautigar
Why don't you have a recipe for bird seed balls using fruit jelly? That seems like that would work and what a great use for left over/getting old fruit jelly as long as it is not MOLDY. Maybe need to cook the jelly and add more pectin to get the jelly to keep its shape? Please advise