Why this helps:
Creating something with your hands that invites birds into your yard connects your loved one to the living world outside. Watching birds visit a feeder you made together brings ongoing joy and a sense of purpose. The activity itself—spreading peanut butter, rolling in seeds—engages fine motor skills and senses.
How to do it:
- Find a large pinecone or use an empty toilet paper roll.
- Spread peanut butter (or sun butter) all over the surface.
- Roll it in birdseed until coated. Tie a string and hang it from a tree branch or hook.
Pro tip:
Place the feeder near a window where you can watch together. A small notebook to jot down which birds come by adds a lovely daily ritual.
Comfort note:
If handling sticky peanut butter is difficult, you can do the spreading while your loved one holds the pinecone steady or sprinkles the seeds.
Novelty Journaling:
“What birds did we see at our feeder today? Did the activity of making it bring a sense of accomplishment?”
Caregiver note:
Watching wildlife is naturally calming. This small project gives you both something to look forward to each morning.
Additional notes:
You don’t need a yard—a balcony or even a window suction-cup feeder may work. The joy is in the making and the watching. After this experience of crafting a bird feeder, you may very likely want a bird feeder for the long-term! Consider requesting it as a holiday or birthday gift for your household! We loved our bird feeders. The shepherd hook was on loan to us from a caregiver and the second bird feeder was a gift from another caregiver.
And here is Miss Ethel, my mother, singing and talking to her birds after just arriving in the kitchen for breakfast one morning. To capture her photo in that moment when she was unaware is a moment to treasure. She had been a member of the Audubon Club when she was a college student.
We both loved watching the birds so “close-at-hand” as they gathered at their table.
Read about our birding experience at the ranch.
Also watch for an upoming short video presented by Neal Shah on how bird-watching affects brain aging, according to neuroimaging research.
Learn more about NOVELTY JOURNALING:
365 Ways to Say I Care
The NOVELTY EXPLAINER – Part I: What This Is
365 Ways to Say I Care
The Novelty Explainer – Part II: How Novelty Journaling Changes Us
Where attention goes, care begins.
365 Ways to Say I Care | ABeautifulVoice.org
Blog Author:
Zulekha Ali (“Zuley”) is a freelance writer with a commitment to delivering informative and impactful content to enrich readers’ understanding and empower them to make informed decisions.
Blog Co-Author:
Susan Troyer
Founder / Author, ABeautifulVoice.org 🌿
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