End of Summer Activity: Bird Feeder

Create a decorative, mobile-inspired bird feeder from items found in your back yard, recycling bin, and around the kitchen.

Materials

• Paper towel tube or a cardboard cereal box
• Several sticks of different shapes and sizes
• Corn syrup or molasses
• Basting brush or paint brush
• Birdseed
• 2 open containers (one to hold the bird seed and one for the corn syrup)
• Single hole punch
• String or yarn
• Tape
• Scissors
• Oat cereal rings

Directions

1. 1. Fill one container ½ full with bird seed.
   2. Fill the second container with corn syrup or molasses (enough to paint with).
   3. Cut the paper towel tube into several rings. If using a cereal box, cut the cardboard into several strips and form into loops, securing each with tape. Make sure the plain side of the box shows on the outside of each ring.
   4. Punch a single hole into the center of each ring.

1. 1. Paint a thick coat of syrup onto each ring and then roll thoroughly in the bird seed.

1. 1. Allow the bird seed to set on the rings for about 10-15 minutes.

1. 1. Cut a variety of lengths of string or yarn. If using yarn, wrap a small piece of tape tightly around the end to help thread it more easily.

1. 1. Tie a knot at one end of a piece of string. Begin stringing a few pieces of oat cereal on to it.

1. 1. Slide the string through the bottom hole of a ring with bird seed. String more oat cereal onto the string and then slide the remaining string through the top hole of the ring.

1. 1. Continue to string with oat cereal or add another bird seed covered ring. Create different arrangements.

1. 1. Tie the completed strings to the stick.
   2. Hang the bird feeder outside and watch the birds enjoy a snack.