Bird Feeder Project: Tree Decorations Are For The Birds!

Birds Love Tree Decorations Too!

We usually think about decorating trees during the Winter holidays but Spring is the perfect time to decorate a tree outdoors! No, I’m not talking about dragging out the lights and ornaments. This tree decorating project is literally for the birds and is a great way to start teaching your child about backyard birding!

You’ll need:

• cotton string (I recommend about 2+ feet)
• a plastic canvas needle for little hands (I have used a bobby pin.)
• a box of whole grain cereal o’s (I use cheerios)
• small pieces of fresh fruit such as: grapes, melon bits, cherries, apple chunks, cherry tomatoes, etc.

Instructions:

• Put some of the cereal in one bowl, put the fruit in another bowl.
• Tie an unsharpened pencil (or item of your choice) to one end of the string to keep little hands from losing the items on the string.
• Thread the string on the needle or through the bobby pin.
• Grab a piece of cereal or fruit and thread it onto the string.
• When you’re finished stringing the food, tie the ends of the string together to make a circle.
• Take the decorations outside and find a bush in front of a window (so you have a good view) and drape the string over the bush.

Notes: You can also drape the food loop over the end of a small limb if the view would be better. You may want to only put a few pieces of food on the string at first until the birds find it. It’s a good idea to keep a close check on the string and replace older pieces of fruit at least every 2-3 days, depending on your climate. In warmer climates, I suggest every 2-3 days.

When you do this with your child, you can teach them more than just about birds. For instance:

Stringing The Food

• Small motor skills - Picking up the food with fingers, stringing the food
• Eye-hand coordination - Putting the needle in a specific place on the food
• Numbers - Count each item put on the string
• Sequencing - Put the items on in a pattern…cherry, grape, cherry, grape, etc
• Colors - Name the color of the food, talk about other things that are that color, spell the color of the food, etc.
• Ordinal Position - What went on first, second, third, etc.?
• Senses - How does each piece of food taste, smell, look, feel, sound?
• and the list goes on…

You can even make a tradition of skipping around a bush or tree after checking the food string each day. (This gets in gross motor skills too. ) The possibilities for learning are endless!

Go have some fun decorating for the birds.

More Resources:

Here is one of our designs that will be great to encourage your kids to continue backyard birding. You can see this same design on other products in our shop by clicking on the link below.

I Feed Birds! -Infant/Toddler T-Shirt

Have Fun!