School: The Children’s Garden

Student: Mackenzie Leonard

Teacher: China Woodard

Age: 4

Subject: Gardening

Description: Bird/Squirrel Feeder Ornaments. Each morning, as we are eating breakfast, we always keep an eye out for squirrels running around in our backyard. They’re always digging holes in our mulch and hiding their nuts and goodies! One day, we decided to start leaving nuts and seeds out for the birds and animals. Then we decided to step up our game and make ornaments to hang up!

Supplies:
– 3/4 to 1 cup birdseed
– 1 packet of gelatin (unflavored – we used Knox)
– 1/4 cup boiling water
– Cookie cutters, lightly greased*
– Twine and/or ribbon
– Parchment or waxed paper

Instructions:
– Combine the gelatin and the water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Keep
stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved.
– Remove the pan from heat and allow the mixture to cool for one minute.
– Stir in 3/4 cup birdseed, adding extra as needed until all the liquid is absorbed. (You won’t want to add
much more than 1 cup, otherwise there won’t be enough “glue” to bind the birdseed once dried.)
– Place the cookie cutters on a parchment or waxed paper on a baking sheet.
– Fill each ornament halfway with the birdseed mixture. Lay a piece of twine down the length of the
cookie cutter.
– Fill the cookie cutter to the top with remaining birdseed mixture, making sure to pack it down firmly.
– Allow the ornaments to dry for several hours or overnight.
– Once completely dried, gently press the ornaments out of the cookie cutters.
– Hang up and keep an eye out for birds and animals snacking!