Kids' Craft: Bird Seed Christmas Ornaments

Materials Needed:

measuring cups
3/4 cup all-purpose white flour
1/2 cup water
3 tablespoons corn syrup
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
4 cups birdseed
bowl
whisk/spoon
cookie cutters
parchment or wax paper
nonstick cooking spray
cookie sheet or cutting board
2 plastic or paper drinking straws
twine
scissors

Mix Ingredients

Mix first four ingredients with a spoon or whisk in a large bowl (Image 1). The batter will be stiff. Add birdseed and knead into batter (Images 2 and 3). Tip: This is the ooey-gooey part of the project that kids love getting their hands in.

Put Birdseed in Molds

Place a piece of parchment or wax paper on a cookie sheet or cutting board. Arrange cookie cutters on wax or parchment paper. Spray paper and cutters/molds with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop birdseed mixture into cookie cutters and press in until tightly packed (Image 1). Smooth on top. Cut straw into 2" pieces. Insert a straw in each ornament to make a hole to later thread a piece of twine through (Image 2). Make sure the straw is pushed all the way through and has enough birdseed around it to hold when hung.

String Ornaments

Allow birdseed ornaments to dry uncovered, at room temperature until hardened (several hours or overnight.) Gently push out of molds/cookie cutters and remove straws. Cut a piece of twine approximately 8" in length and thread through hole.  Hang ornaments outside on tree branches for birds to enjoy. Tip: Wrap in cellophane and tie with a pretty ribbon and handmade tag to turn this craft into a gift.