bird feeder lollipops

Max has recently become very interested in the birds around our house. I thought we'd try to make some bird feeders and lure a few onto our patio. I scoped out some project ideas online and decided we'd try something just a tiny bit different. What we ended up with were lollipop bird feeders (two ways).

materials:

lollipop sticks
peanut butter (thicker the better)
vegetable shortening
corn meal
flour
bird seed
lollipop molds

(You may notice that's butter not vegetable shortening, you can use either, although I'd recommend using the shortening instead).

get to work:

1. Pour 1/2 cup of vegetable shortening and 1/2 cup peanut butter into a small pot. (Adult supervision required of course.) Melt the two together over a low flame, stirring continuously.

2. Pour 1 1/2 cups of cornmeal and 1/4 cup flour into the melted mixture and stir.

3. Allow this mixture to cool slightly.

4. Prepare your lollipop molds by sprinkling some bird seed into the molds and placing the lollipop stick in.

5. Pour a small amount of the mixture into each mold and top with more bird seed.

6. Place this in the refrigerator to cool completely.

7. Once cool you can carefully remove the lollipops and place them in the garden.

word to the wise:
This mixture may not hold up so well in very warm temperatures. Place them in a cool spot for best results.

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the alternative method:

I promised an alternative didn't I? This one is a little more kid friendly, and a little messier!

materials:

peanut butter (thicker the better, but this one has to be spreadable too)
white bread
lollipop sticks
bird seed

get to work:

1. Begin by tearing the white bread (and seriously, I know we try to be health conscience, but this is the best bread for this project, so if you don't have it, buy some really cheap stuff) up and rolling it into 1/2inch balls.

2. Cover the bread balls with peanut butter.

3. Roll the balls in bird seed.

4. Stick the lollipop stick into the bread/peanut butter/bird seed ball.