If the kids are getting a bit antsy being indoors more, Menards of Port Huron Township offers a fun and relatively inexpensive craft idea to keep you and your children entertained. According to Corey Curtis, General Manager of the Menards in Port Huron Township, now is a great time to think about feeding the birds. Winter can be a challenging time for winter birds. While they require more food to survive the colder weather, their natural food sources are limited. You and your children can decorate your outdoor trees with Do-It-Yourself birdseed ornaments. Made with corn syrup, birdseed and flour, these edible decorations with encourage all kinds of birds to flock to your yard.
What You Need:
• A cookie sheet • Wax paper • A mixing bowl
• 3/4 cup flour • 1/2 cup water • 3 tablespoons corn syrup
• 4 cups birdseed • Cookie cutters • Cooking spray
• Straws • Twine • Scissors
What to Do:
1. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper.
2. Add flour, water, and corn syrup together in a mixing bowl. Make sure it’s well
combined.
3. Once the liquid mixture is smooth and creamy, slowly add the birdseed. Mix to combine.
4. Pour the mixture onto the cookie sheet. Using your hands, press the mixture until it’s flat
and even. The birdseed dough should be roughly 1/2” to 3/4” thick.
5. Coat the edges of your cookie cutters with cooking spray. Then, press the cookie cutters
into the birdseed mixture.
6. Next, poke a hole (for hanging) through each ornament with a straw. Allow the birdseed
to rest in the cookie cutters for 8 hours.
7. Once set, remove your birdseed ornaments from the cookie cutters.
8. Loop a piece of twine through each ornament. Then, head outside and hang them up on
the nearest tree. In no time at all, wild birds will stop by to nibble on these pretty pieces.
