Birdseed Ornaments Without Gelatin

Learn how easy it is to make Birdseed Ornaments Without Gelatin to help wild birds survive the winter and prepare for spring mating! This vegan-friendly recipe uses agar agar, a plant-based gelatin substitute, making these ornaments safe for hot climates and perfect for year-round feeding.

Why Make Gelatin-Free Birdseed Ornaments?

During the cold winter months, natural food sources for backyard birds become scarce. Frozen ground makes it difficult for birds to find seeds, while snow covers berries and nuts. Additionally, many insects that birds rely on have died or gone dormant for the season. This is why supplementing with bird feeders becomes so important—it can literally mean the difference between survival and starvation for some species.

After sharing our popular recipe for gelatin-based birdseed ornaments, we received hundreds of requests for a vegan alternative. Many teachers wanted a classroom-friendly option, while parents sought ornaments that wouldn’t melt in warmer climates. Therefore, we developed this recipe using agar agar, a plant-based gelatin substitute derived from seaweed.

Unlike traditional gelatin ornaments, these hold up beautifully in hot temperatures. As a result, they’re perfect for spring, summer, and warm climates like Florida, Texas, and the Southwest. Furthermore, they’re an excellent choice for classrooms, scout troops, and families who prefer plant-based materials.

Why this craft matters for kids: This project teaches children about wildlife conservation and the importance of caring for animals during harsh weather. Moreover, it combines science (learning about bird biology and nutrition) with hands-on crafting. Finally, watching birds visit the feeders they made gives kids a sense of pride and connection to nature.

Ingredients Needed for Vegan Birdseed Ornaments

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these gelatin-free bird feeders. Most items are pantry staples or can be found at your local craft store:

• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 teaspoons agar agar powder (powder recommended over flakes for easier measuring)
• 2 cups birdseed (Kaytee Midwest Regional Wild Bird Food works great)
• Cookie cutters (simple shapes with clean lines work best)
• Untreated hemp twine (never use synthetic or treated string)
• Scissors
• Cookie sheet
• Parchment paper
• Spoon
• Cooling rack

Watch the Video Tutorial

Watch the video below to be walked through every step of this craft.

Preparing the Agar Agar Mixture

Adult supervision required for this stovetop portion.

STEP 1: Mix the water and agar agar. First, pour 1/2 cup of cold water into a medium-sized pot. Then, add 2 teaspoons of agar agar powder. Next, whisk the mixture thoroughly to dissolve the powder completely. Finally, turn the burner to medium heat.

Educational note: Agar agar comes from red algae found in oceans. It’s been used in Asian cuisine for centuries!

STEP 2: Boil the agar agar solution. Once the mixture begins to heat, bring it to a rolling boil. After it reaches a full boil, reduce the heat slightly and simmer for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, watch as the mixture thickens noticeably.

Important: This boiling step is crucial because agar agar activates through heat. If you skip this step, your ornaments will crumble when removed from the cookie cutters.

Filling Your Cookie Cutters

STEP 3: Stir in the birdseed. After the mixture has boiled and thickened, turn off the burner. Immediately pour in 2 cups of birdseed mix. Then, stir continuously until every seed is well-coated with the agar agar solution.

We used Kaytee Midwest Regional Wild Bird Food. Consequently, our ornaments have attracted:

• Cardinals
• Finches
• Chickadees
• Blue Jays
• Starlings
• Tufted Titmice
• Sparrows

Additionally, we’ve spotted squirrels enjoying them too!

STEP 4: Fill the cookie cutters. First, place parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Next, arrange 6 cookie cutters on top of the parchment. Then, use a small spoon to scoop the birdseed mixture into each cookie cutter until it’s half full.

Tip: Because agar agar sets faster than gelatin, work quickly. Additionally, keep the mixture slightly warm to prevent premature hardening. I kept mine in the hot pot on a trivet between batches.

STEP 5: Add the twine. Before filling completely, place a loop of hemp twine in the middle of each cookie cutter. Then, fill the rest of the way with birdseed mixture. Finally, press down firmly using a small piece of parchment paper between your hand and the mixture. This prevents sticking while ensuring a compact ornament.

Safety note: Use only natural, untreated hemp twine. Synthetic strings can harm birds if ingested.

Drying and Displaying Your Bird Feeders

STEP 6: Allow the ornaments to set. After filling all cookie cutters, let them sit undisturbed for 2–3 hours at room temperature. However, if your room is warmer than 75°F, place them in the refrigerator for the first hour to speed up setting.

Classroom tip: Use this waiting time to read books about winter birds or create observation journals for tracking which birds visit.

STEP 7: Remove the ornaments. Once the mixture has fully set, gently press each ornament out of its cookie cutter. Then, transfer them to a cooling rack to continue drying for 24 hours.

STEP 8: Hang your feeders! Finally, your gelatin-free birdseed ornaments are complete! Hang them on shrubs or tree branches where birds can perch safely while feeding.

Bird behavior tip: Place feeders near cover (like evergreen bushes) so birds have a quick escape route from predators.

Tips for Success

• Choose cookie cutters with simple shapes and clean lines. Intricate designs with thin sections may break easily.
• Additionally, smaller cookie cutters (2-3 inches) work better than large ones. They’re easier to fill and dry more evenly.
• Use a birdseed mix with more millet than sunflower seeds. Smaller seeds pack into corners more efficiently.
• Work in small batches of 6 ornaments at a time. This prevents the agar agar from setting before you finish.
• Pack the mixture firmly into the cookie cutters. This creates sturdy ornaments that won’t crumble.
• Finally, hang your ornaments on deciduous shrubs or branches. Birds need perching spots and protective cover nearby.

Understanding Agar Agar

Unlike gelatin-based ornaments, agar agar ornaments resist mold significantly better. In our testing, these showed no signs of molding after one week at room temperature. Moreover, they remained fresh for up to two weeks when stored in an airtight container.

This makes them ideal for:

• Making ahead for classroom activities (1–2 weeks in advance).
• Gift-giving for birthday parties or baby showers.
• Community events and nature festivals.
• Year-round bird feeding (won’t melt in summer heat).

However, these ornaments are more fragile than gelatin versions. Therefore, handle them carefully during storage. Wrap each one individually in tissue paper before packing.

Science connection: Agar agar forms stronger gels at lower concentrations than gelatin, but it’s also more brittle. This teaches kids about different types of molecular structures!

Why Birds Need Winter Feeding

Many people wonder if feeding birds in winter makes them dependent. However, research shows that bird feeders provide only about 25% of a wild bird’s daily calories. Therefore, birds continue foraging naturally while using feeders as a supplement.

Winter feeding is especially critical because:

• Birds burn calories faster in cold weather to maintain body temperature.
• Shorter daylight hours mean less time to find food.
• Snow and ice cover natural food sources.
• Many insects have died or are hibernating.

Additionally, February and March are crucial months. Although still cold, birds begin preparing for spring nesting. Therefore, high-energy food helps them build strength for breeding season.

Educator resource: Use birdseed ornaments to teach about adaptation, migration, and how different species survive winter.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Wild Birds

To keep your feathered friends healthy, never feed them:

• Honey or corn syrup (can cause fungal infections)
• Salty foods like salted nuts, crackers, or bacon grease
• Bread (fills them up without providing nutrition)
• Milk or dairy products (birds cannot digest lactose)
• Chocolate, cookies, or other sugary foods
• Spoiled or moldy birdseed

Furthermore, avoid dried coconut and any fruits treated with pesticides. When in doubt, stick to natural birdseed mixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Bird Feeder Projects for Kids

Looking for more ideas? You may also enjoy:

• Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder
• Pine Cone Bird Feeder
• Gelatin Birdseed Ornaments
• Snowman Bird Feeder
• Winter Bird Feeder Ideas

Save This Craft

Save this project on Pinterest using the image below!

Originally published February 14, 2021.

Print Recipe

Birdseed Ornaments Without Gelatin

These gelatin-free birdseed ornaments use agar agar, a plant-based binder, to create sturdy, vegan bird feeders that won’t melt in warm weather. They’re easy to make with kids, safe for birds, and perfect for year-round feeding in mild and hot climates.

Keyword: Birdseed Ornaments Without Gelatin

Author: Melissa Lennig

Equipment

• medium saucepan
• whisk
• cookie cutters
• cookie sheet
• parchment paper
• cooling rack
• scissors

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup cold water
• 2 tsp agar agar
• 2 cups birdseed
• untreated hemp twine

Instructions

• Mix agar agar. Whisk the cold water and agar agar powder together in a saucepan. Heat on medium.
• Boil. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.
• Add birdseed. Remove from heat and stir in birdseed until evenly coated.
• Fill cookie cutters. Place cookie cutters on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Spoon the mixture into the cutters halfway.
• Add twine. Place a loop of hemp twine into each ornament, then fill the rest of the way and press firmly.
• Set. Let ornaments set at room temperature for 2–3 hours until firm.
• Dry. Remove from cutters and place on a cooling rack to dry for 24 hours.
• Hang. Hang outdoors in a sheltered spot and enjoy watching the birds!

Notes

Always boil agar agar fully or ornaments may crumble. Work quickly—agar agar sets faster than gelatin!