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Project Of The Day: DIY Fabric Bucket Top and Shoebox Lid Bird Feeder

by | Mar 31, 2020 | At-Home Enrichment | 0 comments

Please find below our daily SolBe Family update letter containing helpful resources and exciting projects to explore while we all do our part to stay home during this pandemic.

March 31, 2020

SolBe Families, 

It appears that today will be sprinkled with Sunshine—thank goodness! If you did not get a chance this past weekend, what a wonderful opportunity to get outside for a stroll or even an exciting scavenger hunt! Beanstalk is “where curiosity grows.” They are baking up homemade biscuits from 6:00 PM – 6:30 PM. The class is free, but would require advanced registration.  There is also an “under the sea” activity from 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM if this does not interfere with your “siesta.” If you are needing something to combat the “witching” hour…do not forget our partner “TLC” in Belmont is hosting “book time” at 5:00 PM Monday-Friday.  Zoom info can be found here.

Project of the Day Infants & Toddlers: DIY Fabric Bucket Top, Another Fave from The TinkerLab

“If you’re looking for ways to mix up your baby playtime routine, you might enjoy trying this simple activity with materials you may already have in the closet and recycling can.

I cut a hole in the lid that was wide enough for her to drop a hand into. Then I sat back to watch her grab pieces of fabric,

…and pull them out!

The focus was incredible and reminded me how serious babies can be about their work.”

Project of the Day Older Toddlers & Preschoolers: Shoebox Lid Bird Feeder from Little Pine Learners

“Making a bird feeder with kids is a great way to teach children about caring for nature and how to identify local birds! Turns out a shoebox lid makes the perfect eco-friendly bird feeder! Birds can perch right on the lid, they are easy to work with and the design options are endless.

Supplies

Here’s What We Did

Step 1:

First, find a cardboard box lid, draw a simple bird outline on it, make a beak and stick on a googly eye. We used the same shoebox lid from the Bird Seed Sweep activity! I set out the peanut butter and bird seed so it was ready to go.

Image: You can draw on the eye if you do not have googly-eyes!

Step 2:

Put a thin layer of peanut butter on the bird. Your children might need a little help with this step depending upon their ages. It’s okay if the peanut butter gets on the googly eye because it will wipe right off!

If you can’t use peanut butter due to allergies, you can just sweep the bird seed on the bird and keep it loose. The birds won’t mind! OR you can try PEANUT FREE Sunbutter.

Step 3:

Sprinkle the bird seed on the peanut butter. This step is easy for kids of all ages. My four year old started by picking out a few pieces of bird seed at a time and gently placing it on the peanut butter. This was great fine motor and hand-eye coordination practice.

But it quickly turned into a bird seed free for all with bird seed sprinkled everywhere inside the box! You can easily shake off the excess bird seed or just keep it on the tray.

Step 4:

Now it’s time to turn the shoebox lid into a bird feeder! I punched one hole on each side of the shoe box and tied twine through holes, as pictured below. Make sure to tie it on the branch to keep it secure. You will want to bring this in on rainy or really windy days.

No Bird Seed?  No Problem! Try nectar, chopped fruit, bread scraps, and other types of scraps as alternatives.”  

More resources to follow in the coming days. Feedback and more ideas welcome, as always! 

Be well and stay healthy!

The SolBe Team

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