Hello everyone and Happy FRIDAY! We have a few fun activities open over Zoom today including Pokemon Adventure, Playful Poetry, and Yoga. Head over to the calendar to sign up! It's a long weekend so we WILL NOT have Zoom meetups available on Monday.
It's our final day of Bird Watch Week and we have some activities that can help your bird watch last all weekend! Follow along below for tissue box bird feeders, bird watch tips, a how to drawing guide, and a bird's next snack! Let's get started . . .
Tissue Box Bird Feeder
Crafted By Charlotte
Grade: 2-5
Individual or group: Individual
Materials:
-used tissue box
-scissors
-string/rope
-narrow sticks
-paint/scrap paper/markers/stickers
-string wood glue or hot glue gun
Directions:
1. Using scissors, carefully cut a rectangular opening on the bottom of your tissue box so there are two holes.
2. Make a little hole under the front opening with a needle or scissors and put a narrow stick through the hole. This will be the perch for the bird to stand on!
3. Next, decorate the sides of your box. You can use paint or markers or any sort of collage materials. I used old drawings and photos with modge podge to decorate the sides and paint for the front and back entrance.
4. Once the paint or glue is dried, collect a handful of flat, narrow sticks and use wood glue or a hot glue gun to make a roof.
5. Poke a little hole at the front of your box above the big opening and one above the hole at the back.
6. String a long piece of rope or string through the holes and tie at the top. This is how your bird feeder will hang, so be sure it is strong and the knot is tight!
7. Lastly, fill the inside of your feeder with birdseed that is filled with sunflower seeds and dried corn and other yummy seeds birds will enjoy.
Additional Material:
If you’re interested in learning where to hang the feeder in a safe position outside, or other basic beginner bird feeder information, check out this link: https://blog.nwf.org/2011/05/a-beginner’s-guide-to-backyard-bird-feeding/
Backyard Bird-Watching
By Courtney
Document which of our fine feathered friends call your home "home".
Grade Level: All Ages
Individual or multiple people: Either!
Materials:
Bird feeders
Bird seed
Paper
Pen or pencil
Location: Backyard, Bedroom Window
Links and resources: Check out Newton Conservators Newton Bird List https://newtonconservators.org/newton-bird-list/
Further instructions or accommodations:
Our feathered friends help maintain the balance of nature. When you keep a record of just what birds flutter by your window, you begin to understand how that balance works. Why not set a few minutes aside each day to keep track of which birds (and how many) call your house "home sweet home"? Use a few inexpensive bird feeders filled with seed to draw your birds near. Then sit back and enjoy the show, making sure to take notes on what you see and when you see it
Let's Draw a Sparrow
Drawn By Charlotte
Follow this step-by-step guide to draw your own Sparrow!
Did you know . . .
-Sparrows often make their nests near houses or buildings. This means they are one of the easiest birds to see in the wild.
-Most sparrows eat seeds or small insects.
Edible Bird Nest Treats!
Cooked Up By Courtney
For a springtime treat, I shaped these into little nests and added a Peanut Butter M&M egg! As always check the ingredient list for allergens.
Grade Level: All Ages (with adult supervision)
Individual or multiple people: Either!
Location: Kitchen
Ingredients:
1 Cup Peanut Butter (or Nutbutter/Sunbutter)
1 (7 oz) Jar Marshmallow Fluff
2 T butter
Chow Mein Noodles (or Pretzel Sticks)
Egg Shaped Candy
Directions:
Combine the chocolate chips, peanut butter, and marshmallow fluff in a small saucepan and melt, while stirring, until smooth.
Stir in Chow Mein Noodles (no set amount just, however, many you want).
Next form little nest shapes on a waxed paper lined baking sheet. Add whatever you are using for eggs (like I said, we chose Peanut Butter M&Ms) and refrigerate.
Have a great LONG weekend everyone! We'll see you back here on Tuesday with some new activities and games to keep you entertained!
