Hummingbird Season!
Spring is in full bloom, leaves and flowers are everywhere, colors are popping out in every garden! What a beautiful sight!
Last year we decided to add more color and fun to our garden by feeding hummingbirds. We knew they were around, but we had never seen them, so we decided to make a feeder for them and... they came. It took about two weeks of looking out the window until we finally saw one. Throughout the next few months we had three different little visitors. It is incredible to see them, precious little things!
Why am I telling you this? Well this is a great activity to do with the kids! And an easy one that will teach them to be patient. Here is what you need to do:
- Take a clean plastic bottle (Best way to recycle), make a hole about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the cap. Place a straw through the hole to make sure it fits tightly. Glue the straw in place with waterproof glue. Tie a string around the bottle to hang it. You can decorate the bottle red, or you can create a flower that will attract the hummingbird to the straw. Make it as beautiful as you like!!! You can also add a few more straws if you like to have several birds at a time :)
Photo from the National Wildlife Federation
- Making hummingbird nectar, mix ½ cup of sugar with 1 cup of hot water. Stir until the sugar dissolves. Add 1 cup of cold water. Remember that sugary water spoils easily in the summer!
Have fun!!!
The Jolly Dragons team.