DIY Frozen Bird Feeder Ornaments for Kids (Easy Winter STEAM Project)

Looking for an easy, affordable winter project that gets kids outside, helps local wildlife, and are stunning? These frozen bird feeder ornaments are made by freezing bird seed and nature finds (like berries, citrus slices, and pine needles) into beautiful ice shapes.

Hang them on a tree branch and watch what happens over the next few days as the sun melts the ice and winter visitors stop by for a snack. It’s a GlueStick-style win: kid-led, low-prep, and full of sneaky STEAM learning.

GlueStick is an ad-free, subscription app designed to inspire kids to be creative with the supplies they already have. Kids 3-12 can explore a library of child-led projects independently with step-by-step instructions that guide them from setup to cleanup. Kids can explore our library of over 375 projects written by educators, influencers, and parents in a supportive, completely ad-free environment while earning digital rewards for real-world creativity.

Even in cold Minnesota, these ornaments eventually melt away or get nibbled by our animal neighbors, but that’s part of the magic. It’s a gentle nudge to appreciate beauty in the moment.

No project is truly done until all our supplies are picked up and put away. Here’s a quick cleanup checklist:

• Return any unused natural items outside
• Put all other supplies away where you found them
• Wipe up your work table
• Throw away any trash

Did you know: in the GlueStick app, kids earn digital avatars and other rewards for cleaning up their creative spaces when a project is done!

1. Observe: Which objects float? Which ones sink? What do all the items that float have in common? Our family noticed that most of our objects floated, but popcorn kernels sank. Before trying a new ingredient, ask your child to predict if it will float or sink. It’s great practice stating and testing a hypothesis!
2. Predict and test: Will molds with more water freeze faster or slower? In general, more water takes longer to freeze because water is an excellent insulator, but mold shape matters too: shallow molds have more surface area, which can help them freeze faster.
3. Predict and test: Do any ingredients seem to change how quickly the water froze? Some ingredients (like store-bought sunflower seeds) may contain salt, and salt lowers the freezing temperature of water. Sugar can also lower the freezing point a bit, so ornaments with more fruit may take longer to freeze than those with mostly leaves and seeds.
4. Which nuts or berries will the animals eat first? Why do you think they choose those first? What does this tell you about the kinds of things the animals in your neighborhood like to eat?

If this project made your family pause, observe, and create together, you’ll love GlueStick. Founder Abby Allen designed the app to be screen time parents can feel good about—ad-free, kid-safe, and inspiring kids to use tech as tools, not just distractions.

Need a last-minute holiday gift or a plan to keep the kids engaged over the loooong winter-break? Start with the free tier, no credit card required. Plans begin at $9.99/month or $79.99/year, and you can cancel any time with no fees.\

We can’t wait to see what your kids make with GlueStick.