If you're looking for a simple and fun outdoor winter activity for kids, pinecone bird feeders are a perfect choice! They’re budget-friendly, nature-inspired, and easy enough for preschoolers through adults to enjoy. Plus, the best part comes after the craft—watching colorful winter birds visit your backyard!
With just a few supplies and less than 10 minutes, you can turn ordinary pinecones into beautiful bird feeders that help support local wildlife during the colder months.
🧺 Supplies You’ll Need
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Large open pinecones
(Make sure they’re open so you can easily spread the peanut butter between the scales.) -
Peanut butter
(Any smooth peanut butter works—use sunbutter if you need a nut-free option.) -
Twine or string
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Birdseed
(I prefer a mix without large sunflower seeds. “Outdoor Songbird Mix” from the bulk store matched the Amazon option perfectly and had the texture I loved.)
1. Prepare Your Pinecone & Add the Hanger
Cut about 10 inches of twine and tie it securely to the top of the pinecone.
A slip knot works great because it tightens around the scales and stays in place.
Once attached, tie the ends together to form a loop.
This makes hanging the feeder outside super easy.
Tip:
Attach the twine before adding peanut butter—your hands will stay much cleaner!
2. Spread the Peanut Butter
Place a scoop of peanut butter on a plate or paper towel.
(You’ll likely use less than a tablespoon, but add more if you’d like.)
Use a butter knife or spoon to carefully spread peanut butter across the pinecone, making sure to get a little on each scale.
Keep the mess under control by working over:
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a paper towel
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a paper plate
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or a cookie sheet
Kid Tip:
If children glob on too much peanut butter—no problem!
Just spread it around, fill the spaces, and embrace the sticky fun.
More peanut butter simply means more room for birdseed!
3. Roll the Pinecone in Birdseed
Hold the pinecone at the top and bottom (your clean spots!) and roll it in a bowl of birdseed.
Dip, press, and rotate until all the peanut butter is completely covered.
The birdseed will stick beautifully.
4. Hang and Enjoy!
Once covered, your feeder is ready to go.
Hang it outside on a tree branch, porch hook, or fence post.
Within a day (or sometimes minutes!), birds will begin to visit.
Kids love checking the feeders to see which species stop by.
💡 Tips for Success
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Choose open pinecones—closed ones won’t hold peanut butter well.
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For nut-free environments (schools, daycares), use sunflower seed butter or soy butter.
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If your weather is cold, the peanut butter will firm up beautifully outdoors.
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Make several at once and hang them at different heights to attract various bird species.
🎉 Why We Love This Craft
These pinecone bird feeders are:
✔️ Quick — less than 10 minutes to make
✔️ Eco-friendly & natural
✔️ Perfect for all ages — kids, teens, adults, seniors, and classrooms
✔️ A great winter learning activity — teaches children about birds and nature
✔️ Beautiful when finished — they look rustic and charming hanging in the yard
It’s amazing how a simple pinecone can transform into a lovely little feeder that brightens up the yard and helps winter wildlife.
Originally published September 13, 2019 · Written by Debbie Chapman