Welcome to the first ever something for the weekend #sftw. A regular series which I hope inspired you to make, so, see, cook and just generally enjoy family time at the weekend. The idea is to provide simple activities that can fit into family weekend.
Bird Watching
This weekend is RSPB Big Garden birdwatch, so I thought I would so a something for the week with this in mind. The birdwatch only takes an hour of your time and is a great way to introduce different birds to your children. You can print out a checklist (or use their online tool on your tablet, desktop of mobile phone) from the RSPB website and they also have information of what to do to attract the birds to your garden. If you want more bird based activities, they also have some great family fun activities on their web site. Alternatively you can find a super free bird watching printable book here at Buggy and Buddy.
Bird Feeders
When I was decluttering my kitchen this week, I am ashamed to say I come across a rather large amount of very out of date nuts and seeds, so rather than throw them away we decided to make bird feeders with them.
Ingredients
- Bird seed or nuts and seeds
- Lard or solid vegetable fat if you are vegetarian.
- Yoghurt posts or other pot (we used jelly jars)
- String
- Cookie cutters
- Greaseproof paper.
Method
- Pop your block of lard in a large heatproof bowl and place over a pan filled with simmering water. The aim is to softener not melt the lard. If you are doing this with small children you can do this by vigorously beating the lard with a wooden spoon.
- Stir in the bird seed
- lay your cookie cutters out on wax paper and fill half way with the birdseed mixture.
- Cut your twine, knot the end and push the knot down into your birdseed.
- Continue to fill the rest of the cookie cutter with birdseed, covering the end of your twine and knot.
- press down on the birdseed so it is compact.
- Allow them to dry overnight and then remove from the cookie cutters and hang them
We also made some in pots, which do not have very well as they are rather large and heavy, put they are perfect for popping on top of bird feeders. Another way to do this is to use pine cones. just mix the lard with seeds and oats with your hands – lovely messy fun and swish it into the pine cones. Then refrigerate and hang. You really can just use what you have in. No seed or lard, then do not despair you can use peanut butter and loo roll to make bird feeders! . Or if you have some cheerios, then try these fab cheerio bird feeders from Happy Hooligans.
Pinecone Owl
You can find the instructions to make this adorable pinecone owl here. You only need to have pinecones, glue
Books about birds
I hope you like this and would love any feedback you can give me. If you are looking for other bird crafts you could always make bird cards, handprint duck, foam birds with feathers or these fab play dough feathered birds. I adore this fab creative writing ideas from Nurturestore. Buggy and Buddy has a great roundup post all about learning about birds.
I might just spend an hour counting birds this weekend, it’s always good to see just how many visit the garden. Your pine cone owl is so cute.
What a fantastic idea!! I love the theme this week, unfortunately we don’t get many birds in our garden as next door’s cats chase them 🙁 I find that hard as when I was growing up we always had so many birds in our garden!
I shall make some of those bird feedery things – I was just thinking about doing some and how I didn’t know where to start last night! x
There’s a little Robin that loves to sit in the bushes in front of my living room window. We don’t really have a garden so that’s pretty special 🙂
I love the bird feeders – they look so cool, and they really do attract the birds to the garden. My problem is with a load of thuggish pigeons that descend whenever I put anything out there, but I shall persevere! Lovely ideas for some weekend time
wow they look fab! I feel a bit mean having bird feeders in our garden though as we have a cat and she would juts terrorize them. It almost seems like a trap!
I remember making bird feeders when I was young as they had them on Blue Peter. Unfortunately I live in a flat but my MIL has a beautiful garden and I get to watch the birds there.
I love the look of the bird feeders will make these some time with the kiddies.
Will certainly try and make this bird feeders. They look great.
Such a lovely activity to do with kids I love the heart shaped bird feeders.
What a great idea! Love the pinecone owl!
What a great idea to use up seeds making a bird feeder. And the owl is so gorgeous.
I’m terrified of birds but we have a lovely bird feeder in the garden and I do enjoy watching them and spotting all the different types (as long as I am safely behind glass and safe from being pecked to death)
What a great bird feeder and I love the owl too – how fabulous. Brilliant idea too Jenny 🙂
That’s such a lovely idea but unfortunately our cats have scared away all the birds!
I love these ideas as I have been hooked on Winterwatch all week.
I mean to do the birdwatch every year and every year I forget. Maybe this year!
I used to love making winter bird feeders like these when I was little. The owl is also very cute!
what lovely ideas – especially the pinecone owl 🙂
Oh my goodness I think you have seen inside my head! I spent ages today wondering if I could make heart shaped bird food with our biscuit cutters!! How funny and good to know it works!
We love watching the birds feed and I haven’t made any bird feeders. Will have to give this a go!
What a brilliant idea
Lovely post. Have pinned to try with the kids. We don’t get that many birds in our garden, sadly, as the neighbours on all three sides have cats!