This post was originally a Guest post for BabySitter Search

 

Cold Wintery days needn't stop us from enjoying nature and the outdoors.  Entice feathered friends to visit your garden with these gorgeous bird seed ornaments and you won't need to go far for a fun day out. On days when you just don't want to head outside, hang ornaments near a window and perch yourselves (pardon the pun!) somewhere close by with a good book, ready for a spot of bird watching.

 

You'll Need:

 

• 4 cups of birdseed

• 1/2 cup water 

• ¾ cup flour

• 2 tbsp bread crumbs

• 3 eggs

• 2 tbsp dried fruit

• 2 tbsp molasses or honey

• Baking paper

• Drinking straws

• Cookie cutters or silicone baking moulds 

• Ribbon or twine

 

Note: You may have all or just some of these ingredients in your pantry. Just use whatever you have – birds will still come just for the birdseed. 1 ½ tsp of gelatin can be substituted for eggs.

 

Steps:

 

1. In a large bowl, add your birdseed, water and flour. Mix well

 

2. Add your eggs. Birds actually like egg shells, so throw the whole egg in, shell and all 

 

3. Smash the shell up with a spoon so that the pieces are small, but still visible

 

4. Add your breadcrumbs and dried fruit (we used dried cranberries, but you can also use apricots, figs, dates or anything you may have in the cupboard). You may also add nuts if you have any.

 

5. Finally, add your molasses or honey and mix well. You should now have a sticky, gooey mess that your little ones will love getting their hands into!

 

6. Line your baking tray with the paper and place the cookie cutters so that they have a little room. Scoop the mixture into the cookie cutters. Try to fill the mix so that it is almost to the top

 

7. Take your drinking straw or kebab skewer and push through the ornament, creating a little hole. Make sure you don’t do this too close to the edge as your ornament might break apart when you try hanging it. 

 

8. Bake in a fan forced oven for around 15 minutes at 150’c, or until your birdseed ornaments look golden and toasty. Don’t be alarmed if you molasses seeps out and runs all over the place!

 

9. Allow ornaments to cool before threading with your ribbon and hanging somewhere in your garden or on the verandah.

 

Now sit back and enjoy the show!