Ages: 3- to 5-year-olds

What you'll need: Pinecones, paper plate, butter knife or small craft stick, peanut butter (substitute Crisco for children with peanut allergies), birdseed, yarn or ribbon, scissors.

This is a great activity to help children get interested in nature and get outside during the colder winter months. Discuss with your child how difficult it is for birds to find food in the winter, especially when there is snow on the ground. Tell them you are going to make a birdfeeder to help the birds. Go on a walk in your neighborhood or park to collect pinecones (bigger ones work better). Once back home, cut a long length of yarn or ribbon and tie it to the pinecone. Place the pinecone on the paper plate and let your child spread the peanut butter generously over the pinecone with the butter knife or craft stick. Sprinkle bird seed over the peanut butter and roll the pinecone in the birdseed on the plate. Hang your bird feeder from a tree and watch the birds enjoy their treat.

Source: Linda Walters, an early childhood educator with the Millard Public Schools.