DIY Easy Pine Cone Bird Feeder Craft for Kids

Making pine cone bird feeders are quick and easy!

During one of our walks, my grandkids and I found some pine cones lying on the ground.  Excitedly, they collected a bag full of them.  These versatile pine cones serve as excellent free materials for crafting pine cone wreaths, garlands, decorations, ornaments and even bird feeders. 

Crafting pine cone bird feeders is a great way to introduce young children to the wonders of mother nature while engaging them in a fun and creative project and a screen-free activity. The process of turning a pine cone, into a pine cone peanut butter bird feeder is a fun bird feeder craft that appeals to both little kids as well as older kids alike.  

Creating this bird feeder project required just a few simple materials: pine cones and peanut butter, plus a few household items of paper plates, plastic knives and twine.  

These homemade bird feeders using natural craft materials are also a way to help protect our planet and fun way for the kids to celebrate Earth Day.

If you want to learn how to make pine cone DIY bird feeders, you can watch our video tutorial.  Alternatively, if you prefer a step-by-step visual guide, you can continue reading this post for a detailed photo tutorial that walks you through each stage of the crafting process.

HOW TO MAKE AN EASY DIY BIRD FEEDER

These easy pine cone DIY bird feeders can be made in just a few simple steps! 

INSTRUCTIONS for making pine cone bird feeder :

Step 1: To Prepare for this Project

To prepare for this project, scoop some peanut butter from the jar and put it on a paper plate.  Whether creamy or chunky the choice is yours and the birds will love it. Next, pour some bird seed onto another paper plate.

STEP 2: attach twine to pine cone

Allow the child to select a pine cone and tie a piece of twine or string to the top of the pine cone so there is something to hang it with when finished.

Make sure to leave a sufficiently long length to enable hanging the finished pine cone bird feeder later. Do this step before covering your pinecone with peanut butter to avoid a huge mess!

Step 3: Spread the Peanut Butter

Place the pine cone on the paper plate with the peanut butter and have the child use a plastic knife or popsicle stick to spread a generous layer of peanut butter onto the pine cone surface. The peanut butter will act as glue so that the bird seeds can stick to the pinecone.

Encourage them to cover as much of the pine cone as possible. This step is a little messy but it’s a great opportunity for the child to develop their fine motor skills and practice knife skills.

Step 4:  coat in Bird Seed

Once the pine cone is completely covered with peanut butter, the child can roll or sprinkle the peanut buttery pine cone with bird seed until it’s fully covered.

Make sure it is nice and compact.

Keep paper towels, both wet and dry, handy for quick clean up of messy hands.

Step 5: Attach to Tree Branches

Voila!  Your pine cone bird feeder is now complete.  Hang this new simple bird feeder from tree branches in your backyard and wait for the arrival of feathered friends.

I trust you found this tutorial enjoyable and are inspired to create pine cone bird feeders with your kids or grandkids.  It also serves as an excellent group project for school settings.

Happy Crafting!

If you love nature crafts, you may enjoy these!

• Pine Cone Garland
• Bird's Nest Christmas Tree Ornament
• Bird Seed Ornaments
• Crepe Myrtle Craft Material