HOW TO HOST AN EVENT:
Making Pinecone Bird Feeders
TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR EVENT:
1. Select a date/time and location
Do you attend a homeschool co-op? This is a great opportunity for older students to lead younger students through an activity, especially if they need service hours!
Want to host a public event and need space? Reserve a room at your local library…it’s free (usually:). Look for spaces that accommodate 10 or more people.
PRO TIP #1: To increase attendance, schedule your event either before or after a family-friendly event that is already being hosted by the library, such as story time. Look on your library’s website for their Events Calendar, specifically searching for events that appeal to families with children ages 4-9, then schedule your event immediately before or after it.
PRO TIP #2: Reserve your room for at least 2 hours. Plan to set up the first ½ hour, then host your event for an hour before using the last ½ hour to clean up. For example, if you want to host your event from 1-2pm, you will need to reserve your room from 12:30-2:30pm.
2. Invite people to attend
Let friends and family know you’re hosting an event by sending them an email, text, or invitation through the mail! You could call them, too:)
Want to make new friends? Create an “event” on Facebook and share a link to it in groups you’re currently active in, like local “moms” groups and/or homeschooling groups.
Here’s sample wording for your pinecone bird feeder making event:
Come make pinecone bird feeders!
Please BYOP (bring your own pinecone:)
Shortening, bird seed, and string will be provided.
WHEN?
Friday, 3/13/26
1:30-2:30 - Open House-style…ALL AGES welcome!
WHERE?
Kenton County Library
ERLANGER location
401 Kenton Lands Road 41018
Kentucky Conference Room
Hope to see you there!
*This is not a Kenton County Public Library event.
THE WEEK BEFORE YOUR EVENT:
1. Gather the following materials*:
- Tablecloths
- Paper plates
- Plastic knives
- Empty bins
- Smocks
- Gloves
- Shortening (peanut butter can also be used, but some kids are allergic so its best to stick to shortening)
- Bird seed
- Pinecones (if you choose to provide them…we found a TON at our local park)
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Paper towels
- Portable speaker (Play child-friendly songs in the background to help the space feel more welcoming.)
- Bags for people to take their finished bird feeders home in
- PRO TIP: Plastic produce bags from the grocery store work well!
- Dry erase marker and eraser
- PRO TIP: Many libraries have dry erase boards/signage available for you to use to direct attendees to your room, but finding a marker can prove to be a bit of a challenge so it’s best to bring your own. If able, place your signage as close to the entrance of the children’s library so families unaware of your event can see it.
- Coloring page quoting Matthew 10:31 and crayons, markers, coloring pencils, etc.
- PRO TIP: These are nice to have as an additional activity for children AND adults to do once they’re finished making pinecone bird feeders.
- Children’s books about birds
- PRO TIP: Check some out at the library when you arrive at your event, or bring some from home!
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2. Remind people about your event
Reach out to friends and family who have not yet RSVP’d to ask if they plan to attend, or share a link to your public Facebook event in local “moms” groups and homeschooling groups.
ON THE DAY OF YOUR EVENT:
1. Set up
*Remember to arrive 30 minutes prior to your event’s start time so you can set up.
- Check in with the library to let them know you’re there. They may need to unlock the meeting room for you.
- Arrange the tables and chairs as needed.
- Place a table cloth on the table(s).
- Arrange smocks and gloves on the table.
- Use a plastic knife to put a dollop of shortening on paper plates, then place one in front of each seat at the table. Repeat as many times as needed.
- Cut yarn into 1’ long strips.
- Lay out your pinecones (if you’ve brought some in) so people can choose which one they’d like to use
- Pour bird seed into the bin(s).
- Have plastic bags available for people to put their finished pinecones in.
- Put out coloring pages and supplies
- PRO TIP: Check out a few books about birds from the children’s library to have available for children to look at as well!
2. Engage with your guests
Welcome your guests as they arrive, offering them smocks and gloves.
Teach them how to make a pinecone bird feeder:
- Tie a foot-long piece of yarn around the tip of a pine cone.
- Use a plastic knife to spread shortening into the crevices of the pine cone.
- Roll the pinecone in a bin full of bird seed, pressing the seed into the shortening until it is full.
- Place the finished pinecone bird feeder inside a plastic bag for easy transport.
While guests are making their pinecone bird feeders, ask them the following questions:
- What’s your name?
- How old are you?
- Do you have a lot of birds at your house?
- What does your yard look like? Do you have lots of trees?
- Do you know where you’re going to hang your pinecone bird feeder?
- What kind of bird is your favorite?
- How many birds can you name?
- What bird sounds can you recognize? (rooster crow, owl hoot, woodpecker pecking)
When guests are finished making pinecone bird feeders, offer them a coloring page.
Thank your guests for attending your event.
3. Clean up
Leave no trace; make sure the space is in the same or better condition than when you found it.
Be sure to let the library know when you’re finished using the room. They may want to lock the door.