Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Trash-picked Tuesday: For the Birds!

Yesterday my son was home from school for MLK day. Fine; everyone needs a day off once in a while. But today we woke up to an ice storm, and there's no school again. So what to do with two kids who want something to do, and a mom who is not a big fan of plopping them in front of the TV?

Do a trash-picked Tuesday post with bonus: kid activity!

(And FYI, for 2011, I'm broadening the definition of "trash-picked" to include recycling things we already have, that might have gone into the trash anyway...)

This project recycles three things we had around the house:

1) our Christmas tree - we finally took it down on Sunday
2) some pinecones used as Xmas decor
3) a wooden clementine carton

Some of you might be able to guess what the project is, from the first two items: pine cone bird feeders!

 I think many of us did this in kindergarten or scouts. Nowadays most schools would probably prohibit this because of the blatant use of peanut butter contraband!

So anyway, after taking out the tree and propping it up outside by the barn, we gathered up the required materials:



Peanut butter, bird seed, pinecones and string. Easy!


Tie a string about 18 in long around the top of each pinecone- good activity for kids learning to tie!


Smear the cones with peanut butter- the more the better!


Roll to coat with the birdseed.


Place them in the box for transport. I lined it with wax paper to keep the seeds from leaking out the bottom. 


Tie to your old Christmas tree outdoors, and watch for the birds (and maybe some deer) to enjoy! When all the birdseed is gone and the tree is really ratty, find a tree recycling program and donate it to be made into mulch.

5 comments:

  1. Ha, Love it...great idea and I'm sure kept the kids busy for quite a while. I had to be at work today..yup my school only had a 2 hour delay though many schools in the area had off???

    MaryD

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  2. Now I feel guilty. I let mine watch TV!

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  3. I'll have to remember that one.I've always meant to do that but for some reason never got around to it.Next time i find some pine cones i'll definitely do it:)

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  4. Great idea! I think we're going to do something like this tomorrow because it looks like a snow day is coming!

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