DIY Pine Cone Bird Feeder: A Fun Project for Kids and Families

Last winter, I had one of those “we need something to do before everyone starts climbing the walls” weekends.

It was too cold to stay outside for long, the kids were restless, and I didn’t want the whole afternoon to disappear into tablets and cartoons. I looked out at the backyard and noticed a few little birds hopping around near the fence, probably searching for whatever crumbs nature had left behind.

That’s when I remembered one of the simplest backyard bird projects I ever did as a kid: making a pine cone bird feeder.

No fancy tools. No woodworking. No complicated supplies.

Just pine cones, string, something sticky, and birdseed.

I’ll be honest, the first time I made these with my own kids, it was messier than I expected. Peanut butter got on the table, birdseed ended up on the floor, and one pine cone was so tightly closed that it barely held anything. But once we hung them outside and saw the first chickadee land on one, the whole mess suddenly felt worth it.

A DIY pine cone bird feeder is one of those rare projects that actually works for different ages. Toddlers can roll the pine cones in seed. Older kids can tie the string and choose where to hang them. Adults can use it as a simple way to teach kids about birds, seasons, patience, and caring for wildlife.

And the best part? You can make one in about 15–20 minutes.

Why Pine Cone Bird Feeders Are Worth Making

I’ve tried a lot of backyard bird feeding ideas over the years. Store-bought feeders are great, but they are not always the most exciting project for kids. You fill them, hang them, and that’s about it.

Pine cone bird feeders feel different because kids actually build something with their hands.

They get to touch the pine cone, spread the peanut butter or alternative, roll it in seeds, and then watch birds come eat from something they made. That little connection matters.

For younger kids especially, it turns bird feeding from a passive thing into an experience. They start asking questions like:

“Why does that bird have a red head?”

“Where do birds sleep at night?”

“Will the same bird come back tomorrow?”

“Can squirrels eat this too?”

That last question comes up a lot, by the way. And yes, squirrels may absolutely try to steal the feeder if you hang it somewhere too easy.

This project is also cheap. Most of the materials are things you may already have at home. Even if you need to buy birdseed, one small bag can make several feeders.

What You’ll Need

Here’s the basic supply list:

• Pine cones
• Birdseed
• Peanut butter, vegetable shortening, or suet
• String, twine, or yarn
• A butter knife, spoon, or small spatula
• A tray, plate, or baking sheet
• Scissors

I usually use natural twine because it looks nice outside and blends into the tree branches. Yarn works too, especially if you’re doing this with kids and already have craft supplies around.

For the sticky part, peanut butter is the classic choice. It spreads easily and holds seed well. But if peanut allergies are a concern, vegetable shortening or suet can work instead.

One thing I learned the messy way: use a tray with edges. A flat paper plate is okay, but birdseed loves to escape. A baking sheet makes cleanup much easier.

Choosing the Right Pine Cones

Not all pine cones work equally well.

The best ones are open pine cones with plenty of space between the scales. Those little gaps hold the peanut butter and birdseed much better.

If the pine cone is tightly closed, the seed mixture mostly sits on the outside and falls off more easily. I made that mistake the first time. My kids picked the “cutest” small pine cones, but many of them were closed. They looked nice, but they didn’t hold much food.

Look for pine cones that are:

• Dry
• Open
• Medium to large in size
• Not moldy or rotten
• Free from strong chemical smells

If you collect pine cones from outside, give them a quick shake to remove loose dirt or bugs. You can also place them on a tray and let them dry indoors for a day.

Some people bake pine cones briefly to dry them out and remove tiny insects. If you do this, keep the temperature low and watch carefully. Pine cones are natural material, and you don’t want them getting too hot. Personally, for a simple backyard project, I usually just inspect and dry them unless they look damp.

Step-by-Step: How to Make a Pine Cone Bird Feeder

This is the exact method that has worked best for us.

Step 1: Tie the String First

Before adding peanut butter or seed, tie the string around the top of the pine cone.

Trust me on this.

The first time we made these, we added the peanut butter first and then tried tying the string. Bad idea. Our hands were sticky, the pine cone kept slipping, and the string ended up coated in peanut butter.

Cut a piece of string about 10–14 inches long. Wrap it around the top section of the pine cone and tie a secure knot. Leave enough length to hang it from a branch later.

If the pine cone is oddly shaped, tie the string around the thickest upper part where it feels secure.

Step 2: Spread the Peanut Butter

Place the pine cone on a tray.

Use a butter knife, spoon, or child-safe spreader to cover the pine cone with peanut butter. You don’t need to coat every single inch. Focus on pushing some into the open spaces between the scales.

For younger kids, this is usually the fun part. It’s also the messy part.

A good tip is to give each child their own pine cone and their own spoonful of peanut butter. That way, nobody is fighting over one jar, and you avoid double-dipping if you care about keeping things tidy.

Don’t pile it on too thick. A heavy layer can slide off, especially if the weather is warm. A medium coating is enough.

Step 3: Roll It in Birdseed

Pour birdseed into a shallow dish or tray.

Then roll the sticky pine cone through the seed. Press gently so the seeds stick well. You can also sprinkle seed by hand into the gaps.

This step is oddly satisfying. The pine cone suddenly goes from looking sticky and messy to looking like a proper bird feeder.

For the best results, use a general wild bird seed mix. Black oil sunflower seeds are popular with many backyard birds, but they can be a little large for tiny pine cones. A mix with smaller seeds works nicely for this project.

Step 4: Chill It for a Few Minutes

This step is optional, but helpful.

If the peanut butter is very soft, place the finished feeders in the fridge for 10–15 minutes. It helps everything firm up a bit before hanging.

I started doing this after one feeder dropped half its seed before we even got it outside. Chilling made a noticeable difference.

Step 5: Hang It Outside

Pick a spot where birds can land safely.

Tree branches, shrubs, porch hooks, and garden arches can all work. I like hanging them near shrubs because birds feel safer when they have cover nearby.

Try to avoid placing the feeder too close to windows. Birds can get startled and accidentally hit glass. If you do hang feeders near a window, place them very close to the glass or far enough away to reduce collision risk.

Also, think about squirrels. If you hang the feeder on a low branch, a squirrel may treat it like a personal snack bar. That can be funny once, but not if you’re trying to attract birds. Hang it from a thinner branch if possible.

Best Birdseed for Pine Cone Feeders

You don’t need anything expensive.

A basic wild bird seed mix is fine for this project, especially if you are doing it with kids for fun. But if you want better bird activity, choose seed that local birds actually enjoy.

Good options include:

• Black oil sunflower seeds
• Hulled sunflower chips
• White millet
• Cracked corn in small amounts
• Nyjer seed for finches, though it works better in proper finch feeders

For pine cone feeders, I prefer sunflower chips or a small-seed mix. The seeds stick better and are easier for small birds to pick at.

Avoid seed mixes with too many fillers. Some cheap mixes contain a lot of red milo, which many backyard birds ignore. If you keep seeing uneaten seed on the ground, the mix may not be ideal.

Peanut Butter Safety: What I’ve Learned

People sometimes worry about giving peanut butter to birds. In small amounts, it’s commonly used in homemade feeders, but there are a few common-sense rules.

Use plain peanut butter when possible. Avoid anything with chocolate, artificial sweeteners, or strong flavorings. Never use products containing xylitol around animals.

I also avoid using huge amounts. The goal is to help the seed stick, not create a giant peanut butter ball.

If you’re concerned, mix peanut butter with cornmeal, oats, or birdseed to make it less sticky. You can also use vegetable shortening or suet instead.

And if someone in the house has a peanut allergy, don’t risk it. Use a peanut-free option and wash all tools well.

Making It More Fun for Kids

The basic feeder is already fun, but you can turn it into a whole backyard activity.

One thing we did was make a little “bird watching chart.” Nothing fancy. Just a piece of paper with columns for bird color, size, and what it was doing.

The kids wrote things like:

“Tiny gray bird”

“Brown bird with fast wings”

“Bird scared squirrel”

You can also use apps like Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab. It helps identify birds by sound or photo, and kids love the feeling of “detective work.” I’ve used it while sitting near the window with coffee, trying to figure out which bird was making all the noise in the morning.

Another idea is to make two or three feeders and hang them in different spots. Then ask the kids to observe which feeder gets visited first. It becomes a simple backyard experiment.

Does the feeder near the shrub get more birds?

Do birds prefer the one higher up?

Do squirrels find one faster than the others?

This makes the project feel less like a one-time craft and more like something alive and ongoing.

Where to Hang Your Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Placement matters more than most people think.

If you hang the feeder in the middle of an open yard, birds may ignore it. Small birds usually like nearby cover so they can hide quickly if they sense danger.

Good spots include:

• A tree branch near shrubs
• A quiet corner of the yard
• A porch area with nearby plants
• A garden hook away from heavy foot traffic
• A balcony railing, if it’s safe and allowed

Avoid areas where cats can easily hide and jump. If you have outdoor cats in the neighborhood, hang the feeder higher and away from fences or low branches that make hunting easier.

Also, don’t hang it over a place you want to keep spotless. Seeds will fall. Birds will make a mess. That’s just part of feeding wildlife.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve made most of these, so learn from my mess.

Using Closed Pine Cones

Closed pine cones don’t hold the mixture well. Choose open ones.

Hanging It Too Low

Low feeders are basically squirrel invitations. Birds may still come, but squirrels often win.

Adding Too Much Peanut Butter

A thick layer can drip or slide off in warm weather. Use enough to coat, not smother.

Using Flavored or Sweetened Spreads

Stick with plain peanut butter or a simple alternative. Avoid chocolate, honey-heavy mixtures, and anything with artificial sweeteners.

Making It on a Bare Table

Birdseed goes everywhere. Use a tray. Your future self will thank you.

Expecting Birds Immediately

Sometimes birds show up in ten minutes. Sometimes it takes a day or two. Birds are cautious. Give them time.

What Birds Might Visit?

This depends on where you live and what birds are common in your area, but pine cone feeders often attract small backyard birds.

You may see:

• Chickadees
• Titmice
• Sparrows
• Finches
• Wrens
• Nuthatches
• Woodpeckers, if the feeder is sturdy enough

In my yard, the smaller birds usually find it first. They land, grab a seed, fly off, and come back again. The bigger birds tend to prefer platform feeders or larger hanging feeders.

Squirrels may also visit. Depending on your mood, this is either adorable or annoying.

Can You Make Pine Cone Bird Feeders in Summer?

Yes, but I think they work better in cooler weather.

In warm weather, peanut butter can soften quickly, and the feeder may get messy. Bugs may also become more interested.

Fall and winter are my favorite seasons for this project. Birds are more actively searching for food, and the cooler temperatures help the feeder hold its shape.

If you make these in summer, hang them in shade and check them often. If anything looks spoiled, melted, or dirty, take it down.

How Long Does a Pine Cone Bird Feeder Last?

Usually, not very long — and that’s a good thing.

If birds find it quickly, they may pick it clean in a day or two. If activity is slower, it might last several days.

I don’t like leaving homemade feeders out too long. Weather, moisture, and bird droppings can make them dirty. If a feeder looks soggy or old, toss it and make a fresh one.

That’s another reason this project is nice. It’s not meant to last forever. It’s a simple, low-cost activity you can repeat whenever you have pine cones and a little free time.

Easy Variations to Try

Once you’ve made the basic version, you can experiment a little.

You can roll the pine cone in crushed unsalted peanuts, oats, or sunflower chips. You can also make a “garland” by tying several small pine cone feeders along one long piece of twine and hanging it across a tree branch.

For holidays, kids can make these as simple nature gifts for grandparents or neighbors who enjoy birds. Just avoid decorating them with glitter, paint, or anything birds shouldn’t eat. Natural and simple is better.

You can also pair the activity with a small birdwatching session. Make hot chocolate, sit near a window, and see who visits first. That’s honestly my favorite part.

Cleaning Up After the Project

The cleanup is not difficult, but it helps to be prepared.

I usually put newspaper or parchment paper under the tray before we start. When we’re done, I fold it up and toss the loose seed outside in a safe spot.

Wash hands well, especially if you used peanut butter. Wipe the table with warm soapy water. If you used kitchen tools, wash them like normal.

One small tip: don’t rinse a lot of birdseed down the sink. It can collect in the drain. Shake extra seed into the trash or outside first.

Final Thoughts

A DIY pine cone bird feeder is not the fanciest backyard project, but that’s exactly why I like it.

It’s simple enough for a slow afternoon, cheap enough to repeat, and hands-on enough that kids actually stay interested. More importantly, it gives the family a reason to look outside and notice the little bit of wildlife that’s been there all along.

The first feeder may be messy. The string may be crooked. A squirrel might steal one. Birds may take their time finding it.

That’s all part of it.

Make a few, hang them in different spots, and watch what happens. For a project that starts with a pine cone and a spoonful of peanut butter, it can turn into a surprisingly sweet family memory.