A Fun and Simple Fall Craft!

It is Fall and if you live where there are trees such as I do - in West Michigan - the outdoors is ablaze with color! I used to think Dr. Seuss had an amazing imagination . . . which of course he did . . . but he often pictured very colorful trees in his books. However, if you look around Michigan in the Spring and Fall, you most certainly will see an abundance of very colorful trees all around! Maybe Dr. Seuss lived in West Michigan!


Fall is a wonderful time to talk with the children in your ministries about the amazing and beautiful world God created! On your next sunny Sunday, take the children for a walk to enjoy the amazing colors of Fall! (Be sure you have parent permission and increase your volunteer/child ratio - keep careful track of each child) Talk with them about how God created the trees and spend time thanking and praising Him for giving us trees. As you walk, talk about which trees they think are the most beautiful and collect a few leaves. Be on the look out for Pine trees and look for some "open" pine cones - collect these as well!


When you get back to your class room, set out the "treasures" you found and add a few simple supplies to make pine cone birdfeeders . . . 

• open pine cones
• shortening and peanutbutter - crunchy is best
• oats, bird seed, dried fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds  
• string
• zippy bags or plastic wrap

Directions -

• tie a couple feet of string to your pinecone - wrap it around and bring the string out on top to make a hanger
• mix shortening and peanutbutter then spread on the pine cone - be generous and get it in the "tines" of the pine cone
• spread the oats, seeds, dried fruit and nuts on waxed paper and roll the pine cone so it is well coated in these items
• place in a zippy bag - or plastic wrap - and send home so the children may hang their birdfeeders on a tree outside their home

Talk with the children about the birds God made and if you can, find a bird book and look up which birds live in your area and identify which birds the children are likely to see on their feeders. Lead children in thanking God for His amazing creation! (This is also an excellent craft for families to work on together if you have a Fall Family event)