Bird Watching Feeder + Binoculars

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

Look at this cutie! He turned up to have a mid-afternoon snack after we finished making special feeders for the local wildlife and binoculars to observe them with! 

Age: 5+

Duration: 15-20 minutes

Learning Objectives: Observe the amazing details and beauty of nature. Create special feeders for birds, squirrels and other critters. Use fine motor skills to roll up tubes. Talk about local wildlife and natural habitats.

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

You’ll Need:

R39301 Tube Crafts

• Peanut-free spread

• Birdseed

• Ribbon

• Plastic knife

• Paint tray

• Optional: Tape for binoculars

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tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

The Tube Crafts feature several flat cutout shapes that have colors printed on either side. One side of the flattened tube features tabs, and on the other side are slots that the tabs fit into. Roll the flat sheet into a tube like shape and slide the slots into the tabs. This keeps the tube’s shape.

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

Cut a length of ribbon and feed it through the tube. Tie the ends of the ribbon together. This ribbon will help hang up the tube feeder.

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

Place the tube onto a paint tray and smear the tube entirely with the peanut-free spread. Students can pair up together to complete this step. One student can hold the edges of the tube while the other student uses a plastic knife to smear the spread.

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

Next, roll the tube across a pile of birdseed. Press the tube down onto the seeds so that the spread picks up a lot of seeds.

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

You can pat down more of the seeds onto the tube to cover it completely.

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

Find a nice low-lying branch to hang the tube feeder. If you would want to attract birds, hang the tube feeder on a higher branch.

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

Meanwhile, you can make your own pair of binoculars to watch the tube feeder! Roll up two more of the tubes. Attach them together with strips of tape.

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

These pair of binoculars were made by creasing down an edge of the tube. While pinching the crease, press in the opposite side and make a second inner crease. This will create a heart-like shape out of the tube. Connect the two tubes together with tape.

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

You can also punch two holes into each side of the binoculars. Tie on a length of string to each hole so kids can wear the binoculars.

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

Now what can we see? Let’s sit patiently and wait…

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

Here comes a visitor!

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

He noticed the Tube Feeder!

tube seed feeder crafts binoculars

Now it’s time for a snack!

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Tube Crafts: Sunny the Snake

tube snake paper roll Sssssssss! Here’s a great project you can adapt for larger groups of students–make an awesome tube snake. This is one of the many projects we’ve got lined up this year for Tube Crafts! Age: 4+

Duration: 15-20 minutes

Learning Objectives: Use fine motor skills to roll up colorful tubes. Great group activity! Multiple groups can contribute to building the snake.

tube snake paper roll

You’ll Need:

R39301 Tube Crafts

• Hole punch

• Permanent marker

• Ribbon

• Scissors

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A full classpack of Tube Crafts is great for a variety of different projects. The flat sheets are printed with a color on each side. One one edge, the Tube Craft sheet features two tabs that fit into the slots on the other edge.

tube snake paper roll

Roll the flat sheet into a tube and push the tabs into the slots.

tube snake paper roll

You can see how I’ve left the bottom tab out so you can see where it fits into the slot. To make it easier to work with, you can try to press one side of the tab into the slot, then press the opposite side in.

tube snake paper roll

Once you have made a tube, punch two holes across from each other on either end. This will allow you to connect the different tubes together.

tube snake paper roll

Cut two lengths of yarn.

tube snake paper roll

Thread a length of yarn through each of the holes in the tube.

tube snake paper roll

Thread the ends of the yarn to adjoining tubes. Secure the tubes together with a knot at each end.

tube snake paper roll

To make the tail for the snake, make a tube.

tube snake paper roll

At one end of the tube, start out by cutting a V-shape.

tube snake paper roll

Continue cutting out along the side of the tube until you reach the opposite side.

tube snake paper roll

Hole punch the opposite sides of the tube.

tube snake paper roll

Start with another flat sheet from the Tube Crafts kit.

tube snake paper roll

Another great feature of our Tube Crafts is that we’ve added a notch halfway through the edge of the sheet. This allows you to cut the tube in half before assembling. This way you can make smaller tubes! In this next step, we will use the smaller tube to make the snake’s head.

tube snake paper roll

Cut straight across the flat sheet using the notches as a guide.

tube snake paper roll

Roll up and secure the tube with the tab and slot.

tube snake paper roll

Cut the same V-shaped notch out of the small tube, just as you did for the snake’s tail.

tube snake paper roll

Once you are finished making the head, use permanent marker to add details such as the eyes and nostril to the snake’s head. You can’t forget about the tongue! To make the tongue, tape on a length of pink ribbon! Drag the edge of a pair of scissors across the ribbon to curl it into a spiral. Alternatively, use a strip of felt and cut out a V from the bottom to make it a forked tongue.

tube snake paper roll

Here’s a look at what the finished snakes look like. You can give one snake project to each group of students in your classroom or encourage everyone to contribute to one giant snake project!

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