For the Birds

With the snow, it's harder for birds to find food, my kids always sympathize for them. Do your children know much about what happens to all of the animals in the winter? It's an interesting topic! You might want to consider reading with them a bit about the winter habits of animals, try this one or this one. And, of course, do a couple of activities:

I know you've seen this one before, you might even remember making one yourself! It's an oldie but goodie... preschoolers still love it and so do the birds.

1. Find a few pine cones. I like the nice, big, open ones. You might need a couple per child.

2. Put peanut butter (Peanut allergy? Use vegetable shortening.) in individual bowls or give each child a loaded butter knife. ***Danger! Danger, Will Robinson!*** Do not, under any circumstances, give a child an entire jar of peanut butter, especially a gigantic economy sized one. I speak from experience.

3. Have children"frost" their pine cones.

4. Roll in birdseed.

5. Hang on a tree near a window with fishing wire or yarn.

Here's one for your slightly older children. Popcorn stringing is not just for Christmas trees! Using a needle and thread, string cranberries and all sorts of other odds and ends, Cheerios, fruit loops, stale pretzels, as well as popcorn. It's a wonderful activity to increase small motor ability. If you have a son, like I have, that struggles with writing, take a break from that today and do something fun. He'll be developing the same muscles and think you're a fun mom to boot!

String them on the trees near where your child sits to do school work. Keep a book of winter birds near their study area, this is a good one. At least this way, all that procrastination and messing around they are doing will be educational. :)