 This activity by Kayla is a fun craft for all ages. We're going to be making bird feeders from pine cones and peanut butter! Here's what you'll need: 
 Big pine cones, lots of peanut butter, and bird seed. Obviously this is not an activity you'll want to do if anyone has nut allergies! You'll might also need disposable vinyl gloves, some plastic spoons, and wet rags for cleaning up, depending on your class's tolerance for handling goopy peanut butter. 
The very first step is to attach wire loops securely to the cones so they can be hung in a tree. If you want to feed birds and not squirrels, make the loops very secure. This may be futile. The peanut butter should be dished out into small paper bowls, and the seeds into large paper plates. Be generous. The final step will be to roll the cone in the seeds, so the plate should be dinner size.  
The next step is the most fun, and the reason for the gloves. You want to plug up all the holes between layers of the pine cone with peanut butter. This is very satisfying ... although be careful; the edges of the cone can be very sharp.
Some people who would rather not relive a traumatic experience with mud pies (I ate one!) can use a plastic spoon instead. Here the instructor demonstrates the fine art of pine cone stuffing.If you choose not to use the gloves in order to get the full aesthetic experience, be warned. No matter how thoroughly you wash afterwards, you won't get all the peanut butter (or the smell) off your fingers. However, this can provide a rather synesthetic sensation if you are a nail biter. The final step is to roll the peanut-butter-stuffed cone in the seeds. If you didn't slather the peanut butter liberally all over the cone, you will need to press the seeds into the cone with your hands, after rolling. Take your time ... the birds deserve it.   
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