Frozen Feeder Ornaments

Looking for an easy winter project that gets kids outside, uses what you already have, and turns out stunningly beautiful? These Frozen Feeder Ornaments are made from natural and found materials frozen in ice. They sparkle in the sunlight like stained glass—and when you hang them outside, they spread a little winter joy to the feathered and furry friends in the neighborhood. Plus, they're a great way to explore the science of water + ice. Art + STEM + Nature = no better way to spend a cold winter day.

30-60 minutes Ages 3-12 1 step may need help Allergen warning

About This Project

A 30–60 minutes craft for ages 3–12, using supplies you likely already have — Seeds, Leaves, and Dried Flowers.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

Heads up: This project may use supplies that can trigger allergies. Check with your grown-up before starting.

Step 1: Collect your natural supplies

May need grown-up help

Take a nature walk and collect seeds, leaves, pine boughs, nuts, dried flowers, and other natural items to make your ornaments with. Remember, to obey the rules of collecting these items in your location. While it may be fine to collect items from your yard, many public parks have strict rules about collecting natural items, even things that have already fallen to the ground.

Step 2: Add water

Fill muffin tins about halfway with water. You don't want to fill them all the way up, or there won't be room for your nature items or for the water to expand as it freezes. You can also use silicone molds, donut pans, or mini bread pans. Did you know: Most liquids take up less space (aka volume) when they freeze, but water actually gets bigger when it turns to ice!

Step 3: Decorate your ornaments

Place your found objects into the water and arrange them like a collage, if you can get them to stay put! OBSERVE: Some objects will sink, and others will float! Let's think like a scientist: What do all the objects that float have in common? Before you add the next new type of supply, predict if it will sink or float.

Step 4: Add hangers

Cut a piece of string, yarn, or ribbon 5-8 inches long for each ornament, longer if you used a very large mold. Place both ends of the string into each mold.

Step 5: Freeze

If it’s below 32°F, place your molds outside for at least four hours somewhere protected from squirrels and birds. If it’s not below freezing, pop the tray into your freezer. Think like a scientist: Will molds with more water freeze faster or slower? Do any ingredients seem to change how quickly the water froze? Check on your molds every 30-60 minutes if you can to see how they're changing as they freeze. Scientists have observed that containers with more water typically take longer to freeze because water is an excellent insulator, but the shape of your molds will matter: shallow molds have more surface area than deeper molds, which may help them freeze faster. 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. Do your observations match what scientists would predict? If not, what do you think influenced your results?

Step 6: Remove from the molds

Let the tray sit on a warm countertop for a few minutes, then gently tug on the ribbon or yarn to release the frozen ornaments. If they don’t pop out easily, run the bottom of the molds under warm water until they release.

Step 7: Hang outside and observe

Hang your ornaments on tree branches and watch what happens over the next few days as sunlight, wind, and hungry winter visitors shape them and the neighborhood around them. Predict: Which nuts or berries will the animals eat first? Why do you think they'll choose those first? What does this tell you about the kinds of things the animals in your neighborhood like to eat? Did you know that many species of evergreen, including white spruce, boxwood, and some juniper bushes, have an unpleasant smell similar to cat urine? This smell is the plant’s defense mechanism to keep it from being eaten by plant-eating herbivores like rabbits. Including these plants in your ornaments may make them last longer, but may not make your neighborhood animals as excited!

Frozen Feeder Ornaments

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