Bird Feeders at The Courtyard

One of the most fulfilling parts of my work is when I bring a project that really makes a difference in my students' day.  On Thursday, I worked with the folks in Memory Care at The Courtyard in Mesquite.  Such a sweet group of people.  We made ice cream cone bird feeders to hang in the trees.  It is really a very simple project but has been quite popular with all of my Memory Care classes this month. 

Mother Nature gave us a beautiful warm and sunny January Texas afternoon so many of my class members were able to go outside and hang the bird feeders in the trees and on the patio area where they can watch the birds (and most likely squirrels) enjoy their tasty treats in the coming weeks.

Everyone really enjoyed making the project and engaged in the class by watching, making the feeders or hanging them outside. And this project keeps on giving pleasure to everyone for weeks to come.

Here are a few shots of the class making their feeders.  Hopefully I will be able to post some photos of them hanging their feeders as well:

Our class  working away on their feeders

Happy with a job well done!

What a pretty smile!

Ice Cream Cone Bird Feeders

Quick Tutorial on how to make ice cream cone bird feeders

Sugar cones ( Kroger has a great store brand- $1.89 for 12)
Smooth Peanut Butter
Paper or Styrofoam Plate
Plastic knives and large metal spoon for peanut butter
Plastic container with Bird seed and Cheerios ( can also add dried cranberries or berries from holly bushes)
Pipe Cleaners ( the color red attracts a variety of birds)
Kitchen Shears

Instructions:

Snip the end off of your ice cream cone with the kitchen Shears
Make a small loop in your Pipe Cleaner
Thread your pipe cleaner in the hole of your ice cream cone so that your loop anchors your cone
Then just ice your ice cream cone liberally with your plastic spoon- just like icing a cake.
Dip your ice cream cone into the bird seed mixture and pat in the cheerios.
Hang in trees by looping the pipe cleaner around a small branch.

The peanut butter smells so good, it is important to remind students not to eat the cone or the peanut butter- and it is a good idea to have a snack ready for the end of class- cause the peanut butter always makes everyone hungry!  This would also be a great project for children to participate in as well!

Until next time- Stay creative and always remember its about the experience, not being perfect!

Stephane