At this time of year one of my favorite activities to do with the children is making homemade bird feeders. They’re a little messy but super easy, cheap, and the kids love to make them!
All you need for this homemade bird feeder is empty toilet paper tubes, peanut butter, birdseed, and yarn. I use the cheapest peanut butter and birdseed I can find because I figure the birds don’t know the difference.
First, use a hole puncher to make holes in one end of the toilet paper tube. I didn’t do this until the end and learned the hard way that it would’ve been easier to do at the beginning.
Spread peanut butter on the tube.
This is a great small motor activity for the children!
I like using Chinese food takeout containers because they’re the perfect size, and they’re free so if they get ruined it’s no big loss.
Roll the tube in birdseed.
The thicker they spread the peanut butter the better the birdseed will stick.
Some children aren’t into getting their hands messy. I showed this little guy how to hold the edges of the tube so his hands wouldn’t get into the peanut butter.
I’ve been told that peanut butter isn’t good for birds, but that’s not true – peanut butter is actually an ideal source of fat, protein, and calories.
Thread yarn through the holes and tie to make a hanger. I did this step, but I’d let older children try it themselves. Place into a baggie and send home!
