When I say this craft is for the birds, I mean it. A frozen birdfeeder will ensure you have the prettiest tree on the block even after the holiday lights are packed away. Rumor has it that this craft will bring you many tweets of approval, too.
Start with a round pie tin or a square cake pan, depending on your little one’s favorite shape (or more practically, what’s available in your kitchen). Fill it with an inch of water. To make this more engaging, hold a ruler up to your little one’s finger to see how long it is. Point out the area an inch in from her fingertip and use her finger to measure out the right amount of water. It’s great to have a measuring tool that’s always with you.
Using your child’s handy new ruler, find a cup with a base that is at least one inch in diameter, ideally about two (something like a disposable bathroom drinking cup), and place that cup in the middle of your container. Notice what happens to the water level when the cup is placed on the bottom of the container. Did you see it rise?
If it’s a lightweight cup, you may need to weigh it down. A few coins should do the trick. How many coins do you need to keep your cup in place? How much money is in the cup?
Break out the birdseed! What does the birdseed look like? Chances are it’s a mix of different seeds. How many different types can your helper identify? Which seed is the most common?
Now add birdseed to the water, the amount you use will vary based on the size of your container. Your end product should be thick with birdseed. Place your container in the freezer overnight. When it’s frozen solid, remove the insert and its cold cash and then remove your ice form from its container– running slightly warm water over the container will help loosen it.
Tie a ribbon, piece of string or colorful yarn through the loop and hang your birdfeeder from a tree, ideally one that you can view from inside the comfort of your home.
Answer these questions to build observation and math skills:
- How long did it take for the local birds to discover your treat?
- What is the largest number of birds that you saw feeding on it?
- How many squirrels tried to sneak the food away?
- How long did the temporary birdfeeder last?
- What was the relationship between the weather and the lifespan of the birdfeeder?
Keep playing:
You can make snack-sized bird seed ornaments using a baking sheet designed for donuts. You can also make snackers using a plastic egg carton with a piece of string dipped into each mini-birdfeeder prior to freezing.
Add a bit of food coloring or berries to the water to brighten things up.
*Allergy alert: many birdseed mixes contain peanuts.
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