Let me start by saying that about two minutes into this project, I was pretty sure it was going to be a flop. But, we persevered and our birdseed cookies actually turned out, so there you go! I wish I remembered where I got this recipe from – it is scribbled on a sticky note and has been sitting in my to-do pile for months…
Birdseed Cookies
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 Tablespoons corn syrup
- 4 cups birdseed
Mix it all together. (Crazy dog running around in the background is optional….)
At this point, the directions say to roll it out on wax paper and cut out shapes. Our mixture would not hold together well enough for that. We patted it out and used cookie cutters to make shapes. I had to transfer the cookie cutter and birdseed shape together with a spatula to our drying pan. They did hold together okay when we removed the cookie cutter.
We poked holes with a straw and left them to dry. The directions said 4-6 hours of drying, turning frequently.
We also tried pressing the mixture into some bug molds.
We let ours dry overnight – I did turn them after the first two hours, and then again once more. The ones in the molds I just left until they seemed really dry, then popped them out of the molds. Because our birdseed mix was so chunky, you couldn’t really see any of the details from the mold. The butterfly and fly turned out great, but the ladybug and spider just looked like blobs. 
The molds were a much easier way to handle the gooey mixture, though.
When dry, they were ready to hang in the trees for our bird visitors…
…or to deliver to a special kindergarten teacher!
We will definitely be playing around with this recipe more – simple shapes are the way to go. I want to try using smaller seed, too. Natalie is so enamored with these, she wants to make and sell them – my little entrepreneur!
We hung and scattered them in the birds’ usual snacking areas, so we’ll see what they think of these cookies. Let me know if you try them, or if you know of any other bird-friendly recipes!
Happy playing outside!
{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
Hurray! Once again you’re contributing to my list of summer activities. Thanks!
Looks like fun! I’m lovin’ your new blog design, by the way!
Excellent I was just thinking what can the BG make for his teacher for end of K and here it is. I have everything already at home too a bonus!
Thanks for sharing. Yard sales seems to be the place for little ones to make and sell things these days. and they are persistant at getting the sale lol.
we did a similar activity last summer when we made birdseed bagels. super easy.
see our results here:
http://lifeasweknowit2.blogspot.com/2008/05/birdfeeders.html
Oh I love, love, LOVE this idea.
These are neat. How about squirrel proff? I love the animals coming to the bird feeder, but right now I have two squirrels that are just monopolizing it while the birds stare from the tree and the dog keeps slamming into the sliding glass door to chase them away. AAAAH.
Love the dog in the background.
I love these. I think my daughter might enjoy making them. I love the picture of one cookie packaged up for a teacher. What a great little gift.
this is awesome! i must do this with my little girl. i have posted this onto believing nature too: http://believingnature.wordpress.com/2009/06/08/birdseed-cookies/
You just gave me an idea for this years Christmas presents!
I recently found your blog and I think it’s great!! We tried the birdseed cookies last week and my daughter has enjoyed sharing them as gifts with the neighbors
Thanks for the idea! Pics are on my blog.
My boys and I just did this project and it was SO much fun! They had a blast and I did too. It was a low stress project for me, too, which is always nice. We are having a family dinner party this evening and we’ll be giving them as little favors. Thank you again!
Thanks for a wonderful idea! I’m doing daycare this summer and this idea has gone straight onto our activities list, brilliant!
Lottie
This is so great! Thank you for posting. My boys are avid bird watchers and will enjoy making these so much.
What a fun, fun idea! We’re always looking for new treats for our birds – I know my boys will love this!
What perfect timing! we just made peanut butter birdseed feeders this weekend and had a bunch of leftover birdseed. Thanks for the idea!!
What an adorable idea! If we can attract the birds and keep the squirrels away, I’m all for it
Great site! Thanks.
We are going to try this. We put a Xmas tree up on our deck and we want to decorate it for the birds.
Thanks
What a cute idea! My kids will love this!
I love this idea so much, I just made them today with my class of two year olds and must say they passed the kid friendly project test! the kids really enjoyed scooping all of the stuff into a big bowl and mixing it up. We then plopped spoon fulls onto wax paper and covered with another sheet of wax paper. I than let the kids “tap” the piles to flatten them, we pealed off the top piece of wax paper (and saved it for the bottom of the next tray) and made holes in them with a straw. We hung them all over our christmas tree and it looks so nice its sure to bring a smile to anyones face!! thank you so much for sharing this project with all of us!
Thank you so very much. We are making these this weekend for VBS! I can’t wait!
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