Fun Outdoor Activities for Kids: Feeding the Birds

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Finding outdoor activities for kids can be tricky, especially in winter. Feeding the birds is a relaxing and rewarding activity for them to do, whatever the weather. It’s a great way to get your kids outside for some fresh air despite the cold, where they can have fun and learn a little about nature.

In this blog, we’ll be sharing how to make your very own bird seed cakes to bring lots of feathered friends to your garden. 

The Big Garden Birdwatch 

This week, get the kids involved by taking part together in the Big Garden Birdwatch (25-27 January), the largest wildlife survey, to help experts monitor different bird species. Spend an hour counting the number and types of birds that land at once in your garden or local park and submit your results online at rspb.org.uk/birdwatch from 25th January until 16th February 2020.

How to make your own bird seed cakes

Winter can be tricky for birds as their natural food sources can be scarce, so entice the birds to your garden by making this speedy bird cake from the RSPB website.

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You will need:

• Bird seed (you can buy from most supermarkets or online),
• Raisins
• Peanuts
• Grated cheese
• Suet or lard
• Yoghurt pots
• String
• Mixing bowl 
• Scissors

Not suitable for people with nut allergies to make or for any humans to eat!

How to make:
1. Ask an adult to help you carefully poke a small hole in the bottom of a clean yoghurt pot (we used a metal skewer). Thread string through the hole and tie a knot on the inside. Leave enough string so that you can tie the pot to a tree branch or your bird table. 

2. Allow the lard to warm up to room temperature, so it is ‘smushable’ but not melted. Then cut it up into small pieces and put it in the mixing bowl.

3. Add the other ingredients to the bowl and mix them together with your fingertips. Keep adding the seed/raisin/nut/cheese mixture and squishing it until the fat holds it all together.

4. Fill your yoghurt pots with bird cake mixture and put them in the fridge to set for an hour or so.

5. Hang your speedy bird cakes from trees or your bird table.

Three reasons why we should feed the birds:

1 – They’re fun for kids to watch and listen to in the garden!

2 – It’s helpful for gardeners to attract birds to the area as they eat pests such as slugs and snails.

3 – Birds need a helping hand during the winter when bugs & berries may be in short supply.

Also don’t forget to leave a shallow bowl/dish of fresh water for the birds to drink and take a bath in. Just remember to remove any leaves and check it does not freeze on really cold days.

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