Mitch and I spent a lovely afternoon doing something simple, fun, and surprisingly educational: we made a pine cone birdfeeder together! If you’re looking for a sweet and easy activity to connect your kids with nature, this one checks all the boxes: outdoor time, hands-on crafting, helping local wildlife, and birdwatching from your own window.
Why We Love It
Mitch has always loved animals, so anything involving wildlife is an instant hit in our house. He was fascinated by the idea that we could make a little treat for birds, hang it up, and actually watch them enjoy it. It became a mini science lesson, an art project, and a way to build empathy and awareness of the world outside our window.
Plus, it’s a great excuse to take a walk and get some fresh air!
What You’ll Need
- A large, open pinecone (from a nature walk!)
- Smooth peanut butter or a nut butter alternative (sunflower seed butter works too)
- Cookie sheet with a lip or large cake pan to contain the mess
- Birdseed (available at garden centers, pet stores, or even supermarkets)
- A butter knife or popsicle stick
- Twine or string for hanging
- A shrub, low tree branch, or hook near a window
First: Go on a Nature Walk
If you don’t have pine trees in your yard, go an adventure to find some! You can walk around the neighborhood or visit a local park. We have some pine trees in our subdivision that drop cones on the sidewalk, which is totally fair game.
Look for one that’s large, open, and fairly clean. During your walk is a great time to talk about what birds eat, where they live, and how humans can help animals during the colder months or when food is scarce.
Next: Peanut Butter Time
Get out a large cake pan, or jelly roll sheet (with a lip) to work on or just grab a bowl. You’ll want something with a lip to keep your birdseed contained.
Using a butter knife or popsicle stick, spread peanut butter all over the pinecone. Be sure to get the peanut butter deep into the scales—this is what will hold the birdseed in place. Mitch loved this part (though be prepared for a bit of mess—it’s half the fun).
Roll in Birdseed
Pour birdseed onto the pan. Roll the sticky pine cone in the seed until it’s well coated. Kids love watching the transformation—Mitch called it “bird glitter.” Press lightly to make sure the seeds stick in all the nooks and crannies.
Tie It Up
Cut a length of twine and tie it securely to the top of the pinecone. Then, hang it on a sturdy shrub, tree branch, or hook—preferably near a window, so your kid can watch the birds come and go. We tied ours to a shrub right outside our living room window.
Watch and Learn
Now the fun really begins! Over the next few days, keep an eye out for feathery visitors. Grab a pair of binoculars if you have them, and consider keeping a bird journal with your kids to track what species visit.
Common Backyard Birds You Might See:
- Chickadees
- Nuthatches
- House finches
- Sparrows
- Cardinals
- Blue jays (especially in colder months)
Use a bird guidebook or a free app like Merlin Bird ID to help your kids identify the birds that visit. Mitch loved looking up what kind of birds were “guests at our birdfeeder.”
This tiny project does more than feed birds—it feeds curiosity, compassion, and creativity. Watching birds up close teaches kids patience, observation, and respect for wildlife. And for busy moms, it’s a chance to slow down and soak in a few simple, beautiful moments with your kids.
So if you’re looking for an activity that checks the boxes for fun, learning, and time well spent—give the pinecone birdfeeder a try. Mitch and I will definitely be making more!