There are so many ways to make bird seed ornaments. We decided it would be fun to try a few.
This content may contain affiliate links. See my full disclosure here.
Best & Easiest Bird Seed Ornaments
Here are our favorite bird seed ornaments. There are more out there but these seemed to work for us.
1. Peanut Butter Pinecones Bird Seed Ornaments
This is a super easy recipe that doesn’t take a ton of time or materials.
This kids had a ton of fun with this one but you might want to have a clean jar of peanut butter handy…..
Collect Your Pinecones
The first thing you are going to want to do it find some pinecones. You want the large hard ones, not the soft little ones. Grab a bowl or a bucket and take your kids on a scavenger hunt for some pinecones.
We actually had some left from our weeding decorations that were at my parent’s house for this project.
Set Up Supplies
To make your birdseed pinecones you will need:
- Pinecones
- Peanut Butter
- Birdseed
- 1 Small Bowl
- 1 Large Bowl
I would make sure that your pinecones are bug free before you bring them in the house if you just picked them. Put them on the table either in a bowl or just dump them out like I did.
Next, put your peanut butter in the small bowl and some birdseed in the larger bowl. If your kids are peanut butter lovers like mine, this is where you will want to have a “clean” bowl for the kids to eat….or they may start eating out of the pinecone/birdseed bowl. You win some, you lose some…
Decorate Your Pinecones
We found the easiest was to decorate these was to roll the pinecones in the peanut butter and then drop then into the bowl of birdseed to coat.
You may get a little sticky during this step but it’s not too bad.
Feed The Birds
Last tie a string to the top of the pinecones and hang them from a tree. Or if you don’t want to do that just put them for the birds to find.
2. Gelatin Bird Seed Ornaments
These are fun because you can make all sorts of different shapes but they do require more time and ingredients to make them. They also make a bigger mess.
Mix up your birdseed
Add 1/2 cup of water to a large bowl. Then add 2 packages of gelatin to the top of the water. Once that is complete, boil the other 1/2 cup of water and stir it in the bowl until all of the gelatin has dissolved. Add in the corn syrup and stir until combined. Last add in the birdseed of your choice and mix well.
Now its time to put your bowl in the fridge and let set for about 10 minutes. The liquid should firm up enough so it won’t leak under the cookie cutters. Trust me you want to make sure its set enough or it will make one big mess. However, if it sets too much it will not stick enough for the final steps and it will just break apart.
Fill Your Cookie Cutters
Next comes the fun and messy part. Let the kids pick out their favorite cookie cutters and place them on a cookie sheet layered in parchment paper. Once the solution is set its time to start spooning it into the cookie cutters. Use your spoon to press down and fill all the holes.
Once all your cookie cutters are filled its time to insert the straw pieces. These are to make the hole for the string later. Keep at least a 1/2 inch space to its thick enough to hold up the ornament when its hanging. Last put them in the fridge overnight to fully set.
Prep and Hang Your Ornament
In the morning its will finally be time to feed the birds. First push along the edges of the cookie cutters and then in the middle to push it out. Once the ornament is out you can pull the straw out and insert the twine. Tie a know at the end and they are ready to go.
Now its time to hand up you ornament in the tree and watch the birds.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Set Time
Overnight
Yields
12
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups birdseed
- 2 gelatin packets (unflavored)
- 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 12 cookie cutters
- Straws cut up into 2in pieces
- Twine
Steps
1
Add 1/2 cup cold water to a large bowl.
2
Add the 2 packs of unflavored gelatin on top of the water.
3
Add 1/2 cup of boiling water to the gelatin mixture and stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
4
Add the corn syrup and stir until combined.
5
Next, add the birdseed and mix.
6
Once combined, place the bowl in the fridge for about 10 minutes until it firms up enough that it won’t leak under the cookie cutters.
7
Set up your cookie cutters on parchment paper lined cookie sheets and using a spoon, fill them with the birdseed mixture. Fill to the top. Use the bottom of your spoon to press down on the birdseed to fill any holes.
8
Next, insert a piece of straw into each cookie cutter. Make sure to leave at least a 1/2 inch space between the hole and the edge cookie cutter.
9
Place the ornaments in the fridge overnight.
10
Once set its time to remove the ornament from the cookie cutter. Push around the edges before pushing it through the cookie cutter.
11
Gently remove the straw and push your twine through the hole and tie a knot in the end.
12
Now its time to hang your ornament on a tree branch and watch the birds come eat.
Like this recipe? Try out Kid Friendly Chocolate Chip Cookies!