Pinecone bird feeders are one of those crafts that hit every mark: simple enough for young kids, quick enough to hold attention, and useful enough that you actually want to hang it in the garden when you’re done. And the best part? The birds show up within days.
What You’ll Need
- Large pinecones: the bigger the better. Look for ones with open scales, which hold more peanut butter. You can collect them from the yard, pick them up on a walk, or grab a bag at a craft store.
- Peanut butter: creamy works best. Natural peanut butter (just nuts, no additives) is fine too. Note: Our September 13 event uses peanut butter and is not allergy-friendly — please keep that in mind if nut allergies are a concern.
- Birdseed: a mixed seed blend works great. For targeted results, sunflower seeds attract the widest variety of birds; thistle (nyjer) seed is the goldfinch’s favorite.
- String, twine, or thin rope: cut into 12-inch lengths for hanging
- A tray or plate: for rolling the pinecone in seed
Optional extras: rolled oats, dried cranberries, or small pieces of dried fruit can be mixed into the seed for variety.
How to Make Your Pinecone Bird Feeder
Step 1: Tie the string
Before the peanut butter comes out, tie a 12-inch length of string or twine tightly around the top of the pinecone, between the top few rows of scales. Leave a long tail for hanging. Double-knot it so it won’t slip once the feeder is heavy with seeds.
Step 2: Spread the peanut butter
This is the messiest and most popular step. Use a butter knife, spoon, or fingers to spread peanut butter all over the pinecone, working it into the spaces between the scales. The goal is to fill as many of those gaps as possible, as that’s where the seeds will stick.
Younger kids can do this part entirely on their own. Put a sheet of newspaper or wax paper under the pinecone to catch drips.
Step 3: Roll in birdseed
Pour birdseed onto a tray or plate, then roll the peanut-butter-coated pinecone through it, pressing gently and rotating to coat all sides. Pat extra seed into any spots that look bare.
Step 4: Hang it outside
Find a branch, shepherd’s hook, or fence post and tie the feeder up. A spot near some shrubs or trees is ideal; birds like to have somewhere to perch and survey the area before flying in to feed.
Then wait. Most birds will find a new feeder within a day or two, especially if you already have other feeders in the yard.
Which Birds Will Visit?
In Virginia, a peanut-butter-and-seed feeder in early fall is likely to attract a great mix of backyard regulars:
- Black-capped and Carolina Chickadees are usually among the first visitors: bold, curious, and quick. They’ll grab a seed and fly off to eat it on a branch nearby.
- White-breasted Nuthatches are the birds you’ll see walking headfirst down tree trunks. They love suet and peanut butter and will work a pinecone feeder for a while.
- Downy Woodpeckers are frequent visitors to anything peanut butter-based. Watch for the crisp black-and-white pattern and the small red spot on the back of the male’s head.
- Dark-eyed Juncos start arriving in Virginia in October as the weather turns — look for small gray-and-white birds that feed mostly on the ground. Any seed that falls from the pinecone feeder will bring them in.
- American Goldfinches in their more muted fall plumage will visit if you include thistle or sunflower seed.
For tips on attracting more birds to your yard year-round with feeders, native plants, birdbaths, and more, our Kid-Friendly Ways to Attract Birds to Your Garden post covers it all. And if your kids want to get serious about identifying what shows up, our Backyard Bird Watching Guide for Kids is a great starting point.
Make It Last Longer
A single pinecone feeder will usually last a week or two outside, depending on how busy the birds are. To keep it going:
- Refill it by spreading fresh peanut butter and re-rolling in seed once the original coat is gone.
- Make multiple feeders at once: if you’re already set up with supplies, making four or five takes about the same amount of time as making one.
- Hang them in different spots to attract different species. A feeder near low shrubs will get different visitors than one hanging in the open.
In wet weather, the peanut butter can get runny and the seed may fall off faster. Bringing feeders in during heavy rain and putting them back out after is a good habit.
Keep the Fun Going
Making a pinecone bird feeder is just the beginning. Once birds start visiting your yard, kids will love seeing which species stop by throughout the seasons. Keep a simple bird journal, try different seed blends, or add a birdbath and native plants to create an even more welcoming habitat.
Looking for more ways to encourage backyard wildlife? Check out our guides on how to attract birds to your yard and backyard bird watching for kids, where you’ll find tips on choosing the right feeders, identifying common Virginia birds, and creating a landscape that supports birds year-round.
If you’re ready to expand your bird-friendly garden, visit your nearest Meadows Farms Garden Center. Our team can help you choose native plants, bird feeders, birdseed, and other garden essentials that will keep your backyard full of feathered visitors in every season.