Winter Craft and Book Pairing for Kids and Homeschoolers

 

Today, I am going to share a fun craft and book pairing with a winter theme.  I am a homeschooling mom of 10 years and for most homeschool families the winter slump hits hard.  I wanted to help cure that slump by sharing a fun activity that you could do with your kids.  When picking a book and a craft, I wanted the book to be interactive and fun along with a craft that can be useful and easy for the kids.  

The book I picked out to go along with this activity is called Secrets of Winter.  This is a book from Kane Miller publishing, that is from their Shine a Light series. This book is jam packed with fun facts and information all about what animals do in the winter.  To make things super fun, you use a flashlight to reveal the animals where they are hibernating or finding shelter.  You can see a demonstration of this book in the video link down below.  

You may find this book at a local library, or if you are interested in purchasing the book, you can find it on my PaperPie website (formally Usborne Books & More).

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE!!

Next, is the fun craft to go along with the book.  Today, I am sharing how to make fun bird seed feeders in the shape of the woodland animals that we find in the book.  This was such a fun activity for my kids and it's a great way to feed the birds in a time where they have a hard time finding food.  After we hung these, it rained buckets, and then the next day it snowed, and they are still holding on strong.  It takes about a week or more for birds to find the feeders and seed and we are patiently awaiting them.  

Here are the directions on how to make this fun craft with your kids.

Woodland Creatures Bird Seed Feeders

Makes 4

Supplies Needed:

• 1/2 cup of coconut oil
• 1 cup of bird seed
• 4 animal cookie cutters (Here are the ones I purchased)
• 4 plastic straws cut in 2-inch pieces
• 4 pieces of yarn or string cut around 12 inches in length

Directions

1. Depending on the temperature of your home, heat the coconut oil to a workable consistency, do not melt all the way.  It is winter here and I melted mine in the microwave for 20 seconds.  
2. Mix the bird seed and the coconut oil together in a big bowl.
3. Press down the bird seed mixture into the cookie cutter molds. Make sure you pack it in hard.
4. Press the cut straws into the top of the mixture to make a hole to hang the feeders.  Make sure you don't put the whole to close to the top to prevent breakage.  
5. Let them sit to harden or put in the refrigerator to speed up the process.  
6. When hardened, slowly and gently push them out of the molds.
7. Pull the straws out through the back.
8. Pull strings through the holes and tie to make a loop to hang.
9. Hang them outside for the birds to enjoy. 

What you need to make this craft!!!

The bird seed and coconut oil mixed together!! 

What the straws look like pushed into the molds!!

The feeders all hardened, and the yarn pulled through them and tied.   
 

To watch the video that shows the inside of the book and how to do the craft, click here...

Stay tuned for more book and craft pairings for upcoming seasons and holidays!!!