February 7, 2026: Birding for Kids: DIY Pinecone Feeder
The morning of Saturday, February 7 was no doubt briskly cold, but that did not stop a group of hearty kids from embarking on a birding adventure through Kleinstuck Preserve! The snow-covered forest provided space for us to immerse ourselves in nature, and get curious about our surroundings.
Parents and kids met at the Chevy Chase Blvd. entrance to Kleinstuck for a pre-hike briefing. We discussed what we would be doing, why we would be doing it, and how exactly we would go about our morning together.
The mission was simple and fun: we were going to observe birds in their natural habitat, while also searching for objects that could be used to make suet feeders using spreadable suet and birdseed. Kids and parents would leave today’s class taking home a handmade suet feeder that they can hang at home and attract birds to their home.
Before hiking, we talked about using our five senses, particularly the senses of sight and sound, as effective ways to go birding. We even put into practice exercising the sense of sound, by intentionally standing silent for 10 seconds, listening to what the birds of the forest had to tell us. It was a very active morning for birdsong, as the sun was shining in a clear blue sky.
We heard a pair of Red-bellied Woodpecker churring from a distance, the drumming of another woodpecker on a hollow log, as well as the song of a Northern Cardinal nearby, some Black-capped Chickadees, and Blue Jays.
I love the practice of birding with kids because, as in this example, it’s an incredibly effective way to ground them into the present moment, and this in itself is medicine. Studies also show that experiences in nature, especially from a young age, can relieve some of the everyday pressures that may lead to childhood depression, and can help protect children from stress.
“Children need nature for the healthy development of their senses, and, therefore, for leaning and creativity.”
Once our mission was clear, we were off! We got curious, we explored the terrain, we discovered. We spent time with others, looking and listening to the natural world around us, and we learned about woodpeckers, specifically their unique beaks and tongues, and what makes them so adept at finding food when food sources can be sparse in the depths of winter.
We learned how to identify White Pine trees by their needles, and what clues to look for that tell us that birds are nearby. We searched every nook and cranny underneath the pines for items that we could use to turn into suet feeders, and we found many pieces of bark and pinecones that would work perfectly.
With items in hand, we headed back to the trailhead, and made our way to Wild Birds Unlimited to warm up and get creative!
Hiking through the snow-covered forest.
Searching for pinecones underneath the White Pines.
We had a fun time together making our suet feeders. I explained the process behind making them, and why making the feeders right now is such a good idea, since food can be hard to find for some birds when snow blankets the land. We really got into it, and had a blast making them! Some parents even made their own to take home as well.
Getting started making suet feeders.
Creating our suet feeders.
These suet feeders will feed birds for the weeks to come!
Spreading suet and tying twine to our suet feeders.
All in all, it was a great morning to spend outdoors. Memories were made, birds were identified, the senses were nourished, and birds will be fed! Be sure to check the events page for upcoming events, including more bird hikes for kids this summer.
