BIRD HOUSES
Let your child help make a bird house.
First let your child help you clean out an empty milk carton or bottle.
Then cut out a half dollar sized hole on one side.
Place some dried grass in the bottom.
Hang the bird house from the limb of a tree.
Variation: Let your child help you set out a commercial bird house in your yard.
BIRD SEEDS
Winter time is a hard time for some birds to find food.
Let your child help you set out bird seed in a bird feeder.
A simple bird feeder can be a pie tin nailed on top of a post.
HUMMING BIRD NECTAR
You may not have humming birds during the winter but if you do here is how to make a simple nectar to add to your feeder.
Boil one part table sugar with four parts water.
Let cool before putting in bird feeder.
Keep remainder of nectar in refrigerator.
Note: Do not add red food coloring, honey or artificial sweetener, as they may be harmful to the birds.
If you want some red to attract the humming birds to your feeder, tie a red ribbon on it somewhere.
PET HUGS
Children can show they care about their pets by giving them hugs. Everybody love hugs!
CARING FOR PETS
Let your child help you care for your family pets.
Help wash the dog or cat.
Help clean out the bird cage.
Set out clean water for cats and dogs.
Take pets for a neighborhood walk.
NEST BUILDING MATERIALS
In the spring, let your children help you set out simple nest building materials for your feathered friends. Such as; thin ribbon or yarn pieces (less than 4 inches), lint, cotton, thin sticks and dried grasses, etc.
HOLIDAY TREATS
Don’t forget your pets during holiday times. Here is a recipe for making dog bone treats.
2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
½ cup nonfat powdered milk
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 egg
1 cup beef broth
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix.
Knead mixture until it forms into a ball.
Roll out dough and cut it with a dog bone cookie cutter.
Bake at 350 degrees on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 30 min.
