Birdseed Ornaments

Birds can have gelatin as long as the temperatures drop below 50 degrees F, which they certainly are here in northern Utah for the next few months of winter. If your temperatures rise above 50 degrees F, then you may want to pursue an alternative ingredient like peanut butter. The gelatin is what binds and keeps the birdseed together. When the temperatures rise above 50 degrees, the gelatin can mold and melt. Directions on how to create birdseed ornaments appear on numerous different websites—including the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

If you are not a fan of gelatin, then try using peanut butter and bird seed, although you may need to toy around with the amount of peanut butter used. It’s always best to start with a small amount and work your way up. You just need enough to be able to bind the birdseed together.

There are many different methods and recipes out there, but we tried this one and it worked phenomenally so we are sharing it with everyone. The Cornell Lab or Ornithology website states that birds need food sources to survive harsh winters and migration, and that they absolutely benefit from homemade birdseed ornaments such as these.

Why you should make these

These are such a fun fine motor and educational activity for toddlers, preschool kids, kindergarten, and even older kids! I’m in my 40s and had a fun time making them with my two-year-old girl. We have found a new winter tradition being that so many different birds are constantly walking around on our deck outback, in search of food. Most of them have been flocking to our house since summer because of popcorn-themed sensory bins, but now, we have these amazingly delicious birdseed cookies for them to munch on.

Squirrels also like to climb our trees in the backyard so I’m sure they’ll be feasting away and fighting the birds over these adorable little birdseed cookies. If you have leftover birdseed—more than you know what to do with—you can easily make a birdseed sensory bin with a bird theme. You can also make more birdseed ornaments or make fun Squirrel Feeders!

Items Needed to Make Birdseed Ornaments

Unflavored gelatin. You’ll need two packets of unflavored gelatin.

Water. Boiling water is needed to mix with the gelatin.

Birdseed. You’ll mix the birdseed with the gelatin and hot water.

Cookie cutters. Gather your favorite cookie cutters.

Twine. You’ll need twine to hang them from the trees.

Scissors. Scissors are needed to chop the twine.

Non-stick cooking spray. Spray the insides of your cookie cutters so they don’t stick.

How to Make the Best Birdseed Ornaments

STEP 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Place cookie cutters on top and spray the insides of them with cooking spray. Set aside.

STEP 2: Add two packets of unflavored gelatin in a bowl.

STEP 3: Pour the ½ cup boiling water into the bowl and mix until the gelatin has dissolved.

STEP 4: Add 2 cups birdseed and mix.

STEP 5: Immediately pour into the cookie cutter molds on the prepared baking sheet, only filling up the cookie cutter halfway. Place the twine on top of the birdseed, then add the rest of the birdseed. Press down on the top to flatten and keep all the birdseed sticking together. Allow to dry for about a couple hours, until set. Ours took between three and four hours to set, in room temperature.

Final Thoughts

Finally, if you make these Birdseed Ornaments, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this craft a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this fun craft and always try my best to respond to all comments.

If you do make this craft, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your photos!

Birdseed Ornaments

Elise McCollister

Birdseed Ornaments are such a fun fine motor and educational activity for toddlers, preschool aged kids, kindergarten, and even older kids! These ornaments make wonderful snacks for birds, particularly when food is scarce in the winter.

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Equipment

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Cookie cutters
• Twine
• Scissors

Materials

  

1x2x3x4x

• 2 packets gelatin unflavored
• 1/2 c boiling water
• 2 c birdseed
• twine
• non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

 

• Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Place cookie cutters on top and spray the insides of them with cooking spray. Set aside.
• Add two packets of unflavored gelatin in a bowl.
• Pour the ½ cup boiling water into the bowl and mix until the gelatin has dissolved.
• Add 2 cups birdseed and mix.
• Immediately pour into the cookie cutter molds on the prepared baking sheet, only filling up the cookie cutter halfway. Place the twine on top of the birdseed, then add the rest of the birdseed. Press down on the top to flatten and keep all the birdseed sticking together. Allow to dry for a couple hours, until set. Ours took between three and four hours to set, in room temperature.

Notes

Once the mixture has set, hang your Birdseed Ornaments outside and watch it attract birds.

Did you make this craft?Mention @elisemccollister or tag #elisemccollister!