Squirrel Feeders

Upcycle your used paper towel and toilet paper rolls by turning them into these fun winter squirrel feeders! Feed the squirrels (and birds!) and let the kids watch them eat their own handmade squirrel feeders during the long winter months with this cool kid’s activity! If you’re trying to entertain toddlers and young kids or are just looking for a new homeschool or preschool activity for toddlers with cabin fever during the long winter season, then, look no further because this is SO FUN and my four-year-old LOVES making these every winter. Although intended for squirrels, birds will enjoy eating these too.

This makes a wonderful kindergarten, daycare, and elementary or grade school craft! Kids love learning activities such as this. In the winter, birds need more calories to keep warm, so providing them with high-fat snacks benefits them. According to the National Wildlife Federation, suet is a great high-fat food for birds because it’s ample and is quite affordable.

About a week after we hung these up, we saw birds outside eating them! It was exciting to see and my four-year-old girl loved watching them devour the squirrel feeders. They’ve returned every morning since to eat the delicious peanut butter birdseed mix. It’s so much fun for our toddler to watch the wildlife eating their food in the morning. We also have a lot of squirrels in our backyard who were more than happy to help chow down on these delicious treats.

Why should you make these?

If you live in a cold climate where temperatures drop below freezing, like we do here in Salt Lake County, Utah, or if winter has extended periods of snow and ice on the ground, you will be pleased to know that you can make a huge difference in the lives of wild birds by offering them these delicious treats. According to the National Wildlife Federation’s article, backyard bird feeding can make a huge contribution to their survival and to their help them feed their young.

Items needed to make Squirrel Feeders

Paper towel or toilet paper rolls. Upcycle your used paper towel and or toilet paper rolls to make these squirrel feeders. If you use paper towel rolls, be sure to cut them in half.

Scissors. Grab a pair of scissors to cut the paper towel holder, if using, and to cut twine.

Hole punch. You’ll need a single hole punch to add holes in both sides of your paper towel/toilet paper roll.

Twine. Twine or string is used to hang the feeders from trees outside.

Peanut butter. Creamy peanut butter works best for this. Avoid using natural peanut butter as it won’t work. According to Forest Preserve District Will County’s article, high-fat foods like peanut butter are healthy for birds that eat a lot of insects in warmer months. The Cornell Lab or Ornithology’s post reports that nuthatches, chickadees, and woodpeckers benefit from the high fat content in peanut butter and suet.

Birdseed. You can find birdseed at most grocery stores and big box retailers like Walmart or Target.

How to Make the Best Squirrel Feeders

1). If you’re using paper towel rolls like we did, cut them in half. Use a hole punch to punch holes in both sides of the top of the paper towel roll about ½ inch from the top. This will be for the twine.

2). Cut a 2-foot-long piece of twine to put through the punched holes. Leave the ends loose until you’re ready to hang outside.

3). Pour the birdseed into a large bowl. This will make it easy to roll the peanut-butter-covered paper towel rolls in.

3). Use a butter knife to cover the rolls in peanut butter. We used creamy peanut butter, but crunchy peanut butter, or any other nut butter, would work just fine.

4). Roll each paper towel roll in the birdseed. Use your hands to help it stick to the rolls. Kids love helping with this one too. They love the sensation of the tiny birdseed. It’s a great sensory experience for toddlers and preschool aged kids.

5). Immediately hang them up on trees outside and watch the squirrels eat all the food! Hang them high to make it more difficult for the squirrels to reach.

Final Thoughts

Finally, if you make these Squirrel Feeders, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this craft a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this 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 recipe photos!

Squirrel Feeders

Elise McCollister

Upcycle your used paper towel and toilet paper rolls by turning them into these fun winter squirrel feeders!

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Equipment

• 1 pair of scissors
• 1 hole punch

Materials

  

• paper towel or toilet paper rolls
• twine
• peanut butter
• bird seed

Instructions

 

• If you’re using paper towel rolls like we did, cut them in half. Use a hole punch to punch holes in both sides of the top of the paper towel roll about ½ inch from the top. This will be for the twine.
• Cut a 2-foot-long piece of twine to put through the punched holes. Leave the ends loose until you’re ready to hang outside.
• Pour the birdseed into a large bowl. This will make it easy to roll the peanut-butter-covered paper towel rolls in.
• Use a butter knife to cover the rolls in peanut butter. We used creamy peanut butter, but crunchy peanut butter, or any other nut butter, would work just fine.
• Roll each paper towel roll in the birdseed. Use your hands to help it stick to the rolls. Kids love helping with this one too. They love the sensation of the tiny birdseed. It’s a great sensory experience for toddlers and preschool aged kids.
• Immediately hang them up on trees outside and watch the squirrels eat all the food! Hang them high to make it more difficult for the squirrels to reach.

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