Remember our feathered friends during the winter months – great project to share with your kids!

When the chill of winter sets in on your yard, you may begin to worry about the birds struggling to survive the cold. 

It’s important to make your yard an inviting place for birds in the spring, summer, and during the winter months.

Cookie Cutter Birdseed Ornaments

Materials for Homemade Birdseed Ornaments;

Cold water

Boiling water

2 packets of gelatin

Corn syrup

Birdseed (about 2 1/2 cups)

Cookie Cutters (in any shape you’d like)

Straws cut in 2” pieces

Parchment paper

Twine or other kind of string

Directions for Homemade Birdseed Ornaments

1. Mix 2 packets of gelatin with 1/2 cup cold water until dissolved.
2. Add a 1/2 cup of boiling water to the bowl, stir slowly until dissolved.
3. Next, add 2 tablespoons of corn syrup. Stir until dissolved. (Quick tip, spray the tablespoon with a little non-stick spray and the corn syrup will slide right off!)
4. Mix in the bird seed. Keep mixing until the gelatin/ corn syrup mixture evenly coats each seed. Let this rest for a couple minutes if the mixture seems watery.
5. Spoon the seed mixture into the cookie cutters. Fill the cookie cutters about half way and use a small piece of parchment paper to press the seeds firmly into the mold. Then fill the cookie cutter to the top and press again.
6. Press the straw into the birdseed filled ornament, making a hole. Be sure to leave plenty of room between the straw and the edge. Press around the straw to ensure the seeds will hold shape around the hole. (This is where you’ll eventually thread your twine through the ornament.)
7. Place the cookie cutters in the refrigerator to set overnight.
8. Once set, remove the cookie cutters by gently pushing at the edges until they fall off, leaving just the birdseed ornament.

The bird feeder is ready to hang outside!  Make sure you hang it near other branches so the birds have a place to rest while eating. Enjoy watching your backyard birds come visit!

9. Push the straws out & thread the twine through the hole.