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If you’ve been looking for easy, printable directions of how to make DIYBirdseed Ornaments, you’ve come to the right place! Our recipe uses just three simple ingredients, has no corn syrup (corn syrup isn’t healthy for birds), and will attract a wide variety of birds to the backyard. They are so much fun to make with kids in the winter!
Related: Snowman Bird Feeder
How to Make Birdseed Ornaments
When my boys were 5 and 3 years old, I decided to host their first out-of-home birthday party. I was very much looking forward to not having to madly clean the house and plan crafts and activities, but when I began calling venues, everything was priced way out of my budget.
Later that week, my husband and I took the kids to the local nature center to snowshoe on the trails. We stopped inside the center before we left, and I noticed a sign on their bulletin board that read, “Have your next birthday party at the nature center!”
When I called the next day, the naturalist explained that the price was only $25 for two hours and that the naturalist would join you for the last hour with educational animals and to take the kids on a short nature walk. 🥳
The party was fantastic! We made a nature craft, played a quick game, did cake and presents, then the naturalist brought in some animals, including a hefty ball python that kids could hold and get a photo with. She took the children on a short winter nature walk, then the party was over.
On the way out the door, I gave everyone a paper favor bag that contained birdseed, a plastic cookie cutter, unflavored gelatin, and directions on how to make homemade Birdseed Ornaments. The families loved it!
See Also: DIY Winter Bird Feeders
Supplies Needed for Birdseed Ornaments
- Unflavored gelatin, 2 packets
- Boiling water, 1/2 cup
- Hemp twine
- Scissors
- Cookie cutters
- Birdseed, 2 cups
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
- Spoon
Directions for Birdseed Ornaments
1. Empty 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin into a bowl. We used Kroger-brand gelatin and it worked great!
2. Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water into the bowl.
3. Stir the mixture with a spoon until the gelatin has dissolved.
4. Pour two cups of birdseed into the bowl. Stir the mixture until the birdseed is well-coated. We used Pennington Wild Bird Feed and so far our ornaments have attracted:
- Cardinals
- Finches
- Chickadees
- Dark-eyed Juncos
- Doves
- Grosbeaks
And if I’m being completely honest, squirrels. Many, many squirrels! But we don’t mind…we love to watch them eat too. They hold the birdseed ornaments in their paws like a little cookie—it’s ridiculously cute!
5. Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet, then arrange 3–4 cookie cutters on top of the parchment. We chose cookie cutters that were shaped like native wildlife, such as a bird, an owl, a butterfly, a squirrel, and a turtle.
Use a small spoon to scoop the birdseed mixture into the cookie cutters until they are half full.
Related: Fun Outdoor Arts and Crafts Ideas for Kids
6. Place a loop of untreated hemp twine in the middle of each cookie cutter. Fill the cookie cutter the rest of the way with the birdseed mixture. Use a small piece of parchment paper to pack down the birdseed with your hands. The parchment will prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
7. Allow the gelatin birdseed ornaments to set and dry for about 24 hours.
8. When the birdseed is set, gently pop the ornaments out of the cookie cutters, then hang outside! Use leftover seed in a bird sensory bin or to make pine cone bird feeders.
Is Gelatin Safe for Birds?
Directions for gelatin birdseed ornaments are shared on many reputable websites, including the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. It is recommended to only offer gelatin feeders in the winter when cold temperatures (below 50 degrees) prevent the gelatin from molding or melting.
To keep birds safe and prevent the spread of disease, it’s always smart to rake away and dispose of any waste seed left on the ground.
If you do not wish to use gelatin, try our gelatin-free birdseed ornaments.
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Birdseed Ornaments
These easy DIY Birdseed Ornaments attract a wide variety of wild birds and only need 3 ingredients. Perfect for kids to make at home or in the classroom!
Prep Time10 minutes
Active Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
DifficultyEasy
Materials
- Unflavored gelatin, 2 packets
- Boiling water, 1/2 cup
- Hemp twine
- Cookie cutters
- Birdseed, 2 cups
- Cookie sheet
- Parchment paper
Tools
- Scissors
- Spoon
Instructions
- Empty 2 envelopes of unflavored gelatin into a bowl.
- Pour 1/2 cup of boiling water into the bowl.
- Stir the mixture with a spoon until the gelatin has dissolved.
- Pour two cups of birdseed into the bowl. Stir the mixture until the birdseed is well-coated.
- Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet, then arrange 3–4 cookie cutters on top of the parchment.
- Use a small spoon to scoop the birdseed mixture into the cookie cutters until they are half full.
- Place a loop of untreated hemp twine in the middle of each cookie cutter. Fill the cookie cutter the rest of the way with the birdseed mixture.
- The parchment will prevent the mixture from sticking to your hands.
- Allow the gelatin birdseed ornaments to set and dry for about 24 hours.
- When the birdseed is set, gently pop the ornaments out of the cookie cutters, then hang outside!
Notes
It is recommended to only offer gelatin feeders in the winter when cold temperatures prevent the gelatin from molding or melting.
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