How to Make a Canning Jar Lid Bird Feeder

This Canning Jar Lid Bird Feeder is a fun family craft project for Spring that will keep your backyard wildlife happy all season.

Close up view of canning jar lid bird feeders hanging from a tree branch.

Feeling cooped up inside? Grab your kids, head to the backyard, and make a fun Canning Jar Lid Bird Feeder for Spring.

The wildlife in your area will love snacking on the delicious birdseed and you will have so much fun watching them as they enjoy a snack.

This is a little bit of messy fun, so it's probably better if you put them together on the back porch or patio, but I promise your kids will love making these for the birds and squirrels in your neighborhood.

Canning jar lid bird feeders are a little bit more challenging than my Sequined Milk Jug Bird Feeder, so it's one you'll need to help little hands complete. One more thing, it might be tempting to shorten the dry time, but resist! I promise you'll love the result.

Materials

2 cups birdseed (You can find it here on Amazon)
1- 1 ½ cups boiling water
1 packet of unflavored gelatin
½ cup peanut butter
½ cup flour
3 tablespoons corn syrup
6-wide mouth mason jar rings (You can find them here on Amazon)
Non-toxic acrylic paint (You can find it at Hobby Lobby on sale)
Craft foam brushes (You can find them here on Amazon)
Mod Podge (You can find it here on Amazon)
Scissors
Twine (You can find it here on Amazon)
Silicone baking mat (You can find it here on Amazon) or parchment paper

How to Make a Canning Jar Lid Bird Feeder

For the Birdseed Mixture:

Add the birdseed and flour to a large bowl and set aside.
In a separate smaller bowl, using the gelatin and 1 cup of the hot water, mix according to the directions on the package. Mix in the peanut butter and the corn syrup until well blended.
Add the liquid mixture into the dry mixture. Mix until well combined. It should feel like thick sand. If not, you may need to add more hot water. Set aside

For the Bird Feeder:

Wipe off your mason jar rings to be sure they are clear of dust, etc. Lay them on your parchment paper and using a brush, paint them and allow to dry completely (I suggest at least 30 minutes to one hour. Be sure to paint them inside and out. I suggest giving each one two coats.
Once your paint is completely dry, using a clean brush, completely cover each mason jar lid with the Mod Podge and allow it to dry completely (I suggest at least 30 minutes to one hour). Be sure to coat them inside and out. As with the paint, I suggest giving each one two coats.
Cut an 18” piece of twine for each ring and tie around each. You want to allow enough length to hang from your branches.

Putting it Together:

Lay your canning jar rings with the flat side down, either on your silicone baking mats or your parchment paper.
Using a measuring cup, scoop up some bird feed mix and fill each ring until it is overflowing a bit. Press down with the bottom of the measuring cup. The ideal level is if the mixture is level(ish) with the edge of the ring, but it doesn’t have to be perfect of course. Allow your Canning Jar Lid Bird Feeder to dry overnight. ***NOTE: Keep away from pets! Because this recipe has peanut butter, it may attract dogs.
Check the next morning to be sure the mixture is nice and hard. If not, it will fall out of the ring! Now find some branches to hang your Canning Jar Ring Bird Feeders and feed your local birds!