The bird feeder isn’t very impressive unless it actually attracts birds. Research the birds in your local area to determine which seeds will best attract attention. You can also try other food sources, such as grain cereal, if you don’t think seeds are sufficient to attract birds. Tell the students about the type of birds you want to attract with your feeder. Show them pictures so they can later identify the types of birds that visit the feeder for food.
Preschoolers have a tendency to put things in their mouths they normally shouldn’t. Choose the materials for your bird feeder carefully to ensure they are nontoxic. A pine cone makes a suitable decorative base for the bird feeder. The children can still break and eat parts of the pine cone, so keep a close eye on them. Peanut butter can affix the seeds to the side of the pine cone while creating a nontoxic bonding agent. Finally, you need food for the birds. Dispense the food in small portions for each student.
Small children don’t have good motor skills, so you should apply the peanut butter to the outside of the pine cone. Set the pine cones in a plastic dish. Give each child a bag of seeds. Show them how to rotate the pine cone and sprinkle it with the seeds. The seeds will fall into the plastic dish, neutralizing the mess. Tie a piece of string around the top point of the pine cone so you can hang it up.
Proper spacing is important to ensure the birds can effectively reach the feeders. Choose an installation location that is shielded from heavy winds to make landing and taking off easier for the birds. Install a J-shaped screw hook into an awning for every bird feeder you want to install. Space them at least 1 foot apart for maximum maneuverability. Tie the strings at the top of the pine cones to the hooks. Wait for the birds to start arriving.