It is a traditional belief or story that on Valentine’s Day the birds find their mates. They have to hook up early in the year to make sure the children will be strong before the fall arrives. You can also use this as an opportunity to talk to your toddler about shapes!
What better Valentine gift can we give our bird friends than to give them some extra energy this winter? Make some suet cakes for your birds. You will attract western bluebirds, chickadees, jays, towhees, warblers, woodpeckers and more to your backyard.
Not to mention you are decorating your garden for Valentine's Day!
Materials:
- Suet from your garden nursery or pet store. Make sure it is pure suet.
- Your favorite birdseeds mix
- A heart shaped cookie cutter
- Bowl
- A big spoon
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Twine
Directions:
1. Soften the fat or suet at room temperature. Mix the seed into the suet and spoon in and press the mixture into a heart shape (or any shape you have) cookie cutter. We like to just use our hands.
Note: When half the mixture is pressed in, place a looped string with a toothpick tied to one side into the mixture with the loop hanging out of the top and the toothpick going across (inside the heart) to give it hanging strength.
2. Place in freezer or outside. When the suet molds are cooled, wrap each individually in plastic wrap and store in the freezer until needed.
3. Decorate with extra seeds.
4. Put them in the fridge or freeze the one you don╒t use.
Please note when spring comes around, the suet will melt.
Thanks to guest blogger Kari Svenneby, Polar Bear Mom and owner of blog network Activekidsclub.com – which is all about discovering nature with adult and kids through play – lifestyle – cooking – outdoor playgroups – safety reflectors.
Share your Valentine picnic ideas, nature craft ideas and everyday outdoor ideas with us for Activekidsclub Outdoor Valentine link.
