Attract Birds to your Yard with DIY Popcorn Balls

This post about how to attract birds to your yard was inspired by a product I received for review but all opinions expressed are my own.

 

Want to attract birds to your yard? Make Popcorn Balls for them! This DIY bird feeder is easy to make and combines popcorn and bird seed for a fun back yard bird feeder your kids can help make.

 

How do you attract birds to your yard?

Birds are one of a gardener’s best friends. They are great at eating all those little pests that take over our garden plants every year. Caterpillars, beetles and all sorts of creepy crawlies do their best to leave us with fruits and veggies that are full of holes and very unappetizing.

In order to attract birds to your yard, you want to create an environment that they feel safe in and that has everything they need to thrive. You need to provide areas for shelter like trees with lots of limbs and leaves for hiding in.

You should provide a water source in the form of a bird bath or a small pond. And, of course, you should provide them with food. Birds have and incredibly high metabolism so they eat a lot!

Nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and bugs make up the majority of the diet of most backyard birds. Popcorn is one food that you may not have thought of to feed the birds but it is actually quite popular!

Popcorn Bird Feeder Craft Idea

Making popcorn balls to attract birds to your yard can be a great activity to do with your kid on a rainy, cold afternoon. The popcorn baller from Good Cook makes it easy to shape the balls without burning your hands.

Spray it with non stick spray and your popcorn balls will just pop right out! Get kids excited about nature with this tasty bird treat to attract birds to your yard. I encourage you to participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count to help scientists track migration patterns and population drift from one area to another.

I hope you have fun making this popcorn ball for the birds and the it helps you attract birds to your yard. This recipe made 5 large balls so if you want less than that adjust the recipe accordingly.  Don’t forget to add a few bird nesting boxes to your yard in addition to food!

 

Popcorn Balls for Birds

These popcorn balls aren’t just good for OUTSIDE birds! We have a Sun Conure that absolutely loves popcorn so I decided to offer him a taste of this freshly made treat.

Once he got over the newness of the popcorn ball (birds are notoriously suspicious of new things!) he was quite happy to nibble on it. I think I will definitely keep a few of these around as a special treat for him!

Like this DIY popcorn ball for birds?  Try these nature crafts, too:

• Rock Painting Instructions and Fun Ideas for Use: If you have found some rocks this week, I thought I would share some rock painting instructions to help you and your child create rock art masterpieces! 
• Easy DIY Wooden Bird Feeder : This easy DIY wooden bird feeder is made from Popsicle sticks and twine.  It is a simple upcycled craft that kids will enjoy making. 
• Environmental Projects for Kids Who Believe in Better: Green kids aren’t born, they are made.  They are taught environmentally friendly habits by their parents and peers.  Here are a few ways to get them excited about nature. 

 

Yield: 6

Popcorn Balls for Birds

Print

These popcorn balls for birds are loaded with nuts, sees, berries, and freshly popped popcorn. A great bird treat for your feathered friends.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Active Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes

Difficulty medium

Estimated Cost $10

Materials

• 12 cups popcorn, popped and unbuttered
• 1 1/2 cups wild bird seed
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 package unflavored gelatin
• 1/3 cup peanut butter

Tools

• Popcorn Ball maker if desired
• You will also need a dowel and yard to finish the popcorn ball for birds!

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, place the popcorn, seed and cranberries. Set aside
2. In a small sauce pan over medium heat combine the corn syrup and sugar. Bring to a boil and stir in the gelatin. It will be a bit clumpy, just stir for 2 to 3 minutes to help it dissolve.
3. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the peanut butter. Stir until peanut butter is melted and combined.
4. Drizzle the mixture over the popcorn mixture and stir to coat.
5. Form into balls either with your hands or a popcorn baller.
6. Let cool.