Why bother spending money to purchase a bird feeder from the store when you can make one? This kid-friendly project takes only a few minutes and uses supplies you have at home. After hanging the new feeder in the yard, make birds feel extra-special by making them some “tweats” they can enjoy when other food is scarce during winter and early spring.

For the birdfeeder, you will need:

• 1-liter soda bottle
• 2 wooden spoons
• Craft knife
• Twine
• Small eye screw
• Pen
• Scissors
• Birdseed

Step 1: Wash and dry the soda bottle. Use the pen to draw a ½-inch large asterisk on one side of the bottle, approximately 4 inches from the bottom. Turn the bottle 90 degrees and draw a second asterisk approximately 2 inches from the bottom of the bottle. On the opposite side of each asterisk, draw a circle 1-inch wide.

Step 2: Adults should slit each asterisk line and cut out each circle with the craft knife.

Step 3: Insert the handle of one spoon through one hole and the asterisk opposite it. Use the second spoon to do this with the second hole and asterisk.

Step 4: Remove the cap from the bottle. Twist the eye screw into the top of the cap.

Step 5: Fill the feeder with the birdseed and screw on the cap. Cut a length of twine and hang the feeder from a tree branch.

For the “tweats,” you will need:

• 2 cups birdseed
• ¼-ounce package unflavored gelatin
• Three 4-inch mini fluted or Bundt pans
• Ribbon
• Water
• Pan
• Large bowl
• Spoon
• Cookie sheet

Step 1: Put 6 tablespoons of water into the pan and bring it to a boil. Pour gelatin and 2 tablespoons cold water into the large bowl. Let this sit for 1 minute. Add boiling water and stir gelatin for 2 or 3 minutes or until it has dissolved.

Step 2: Stir 2 cups of birdseed into gelatin, mixing it thoroughly. Allow a few minutes for it to set and stir again. Repeat several times until the seeds have absorbed the gelatin.

Step 3: Spoon the mixture into the fluted or Bundt pans. Place pans in refrigerator for 3 or more hours to set.

Step 4: Once gelatin has set, remove from molds by inverting pans and gently tapping on their bottoms. Place the seed rings on a cookie sheet to dry overnight.

Step 5: Tie a ribbon around each “tweat” and hang the rings in a protected area outside so the rain cannot melt them.

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