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How to Make Cookie-Cutter Bird Feeders

This easy craft is a perfect spring project for kids

By Jennifer So, publisher of Macaroni Kid Birmingham-Troy, Mich. April 12, 2021

Cookie-cutter bird feeders are a great spring project to do with your kids! The kids will love watching the birds munch on their cookie-cutter bird feeder creations once you hang them in your trees.

Cookie-cutter bird feeders

What you need:

  • 2 cups of water
  • 2 envelopes of gelatin
  • 4 cups of birdseed (get appropriate mix for your geographic area)
  • parchment paper
  • baking sheet
  • cookie cutters
  • toothpick or pen/pencil (to poke a hole)
  • string

Directions:

1. Boil the water. Add the gelatin to the water and stir until dissolved completely. Pour the mixture into a large bowl and add the birdseed. Stir the mixture until the birdseed is completely coated. If there is standing liquid, add more birdseed. 

2. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and place the cookie cutters on it. Spoon the birdseed into the cookie cutters. Be sure to press the birdseed firmly and evenly into the cookie cutters, so there aren’t any air spaces. 

3. With a toothpick or pencil, poke a hole near the top of each cookie cutter, at least ½ an inch away from the edge. This is where the string will go to hang the bird feeder.

4. Refrigerate the bird feeders overnight. Once dry, gently slide the bird feeders out of the cookie cutters. Put the string through the hole, and tie it together. Hang the bird feeders on a tree or bush outdoors, and watch the happy birds come to visit!

Jennifer So is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Birmingham-Troy, Mich.