Activities For Older Adults: Making a Bird Seed Ball
Are you searching for ideas on how to engage your client or loved one in an activity that will be engaging and rewarding?
We understand how challenging it is for many older adults, especially those with memory loss, to overcome isolation, boredom, and anxiety. Our singular focus as an organization is to create the tools to help you address and mitigate these challenges, and hopefully bring a little joy into the mix for you and your loved one.
Background Hummingbird Project’s Activities for Dementia Patients
At the Hummingbird Project, we have created a series of activities that spark a sense of purpose for our clients. As a professional or family caregiver, you can access the activities to improve your client or loved one’s quality of life whenever you want. As explained in this blog, our Joyful Moment activity kits were designed to stimulate purpose for older adults. Based on evidence-based research, our activity kits incorporate the seven domains of wellness to instill purpose in the lives of these struggling adults.
One of Our Favorite Activities
Today, we want to share one of our favorite activities: Creating Bird Seed Ornament! First, we at the Hummingbird Project have a special affinity with birds. Our company name aptly includes “hummingbird.” Why a hummingbird? Legends hold that hummingbirds possess magic qualities. As they hover timelessly, hummingbirds are believed to bring hope and harmony to all who see them. We also believe that all birds are a reminder of life’s gifts. Attracting backyard birds brings joy to many.
An Activity Targeted to the Vocational Domain of Wellness
The Joyful Moment activity of creating a birdseed ornament is based on the Vocational Domain of Wellness. “Vocation” refers to a profession for which one is particularly suited or qualified. One possesses skills – and demonstrated productivity — in their vocational interest.
The Vocational Domain of Wellness addresses the need to be a productive member of society and a valued family member. Activities that give a sense of purpose to the day and allow us to share with family and friends are a great place to start.
Our Special Bonus
As a special bonus, you can download the step-by-step instructions for FREE: Creating a Bird Seed Ornament! While initially intended as a holiday gift, it’s not. The resulting product, an ornamental ball, makes a great gift all year round for bird-loving family and friends. Plus, making something for someone often conjures memories about that particular person. The resulting sense of connection and gratitude adds enormous value to the activity. The creation process and the result create purpose and meaning for your participating older adult.
And besides, it can be created for your loved ones’ use! You can hang them on a tree outside.
Why Now?
With fall approaching, this is a good time of the year to start feeding bird friends in one’s backyard. As outlined on the website What Birds Are In My Backyard, there are three compelling reasons to start feeding birds in the fall:
- To attract and help local breeding birds.
- To attract and help migrant birds.
- To attract and help wintering birds.
So, the timing is right for feeding birds. Our birdseed ornaments make it easy. You create a decorative way to feed the birds, delivering much-needed extra calories during winter. The materials are simple, and the project is delightfully messy, providing fun tactile stimulation. Combined, the process and the outcome make this one of our favorite therapeutic activities! Let’s get started…
Needed Supplies
All you need are five elements to create the Birdseed Ornaments.
- 24-gauge craft wire (1 yard per ball) (You can get the craft wire here on Amazon).
- Yard or garden twine
- Wild bird seed
- Lard or suet
- Waxed paper
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Your Bird Seed Ball
- Gather the following five supplies listed above.
- For each seed ball, cut one yard of wire and a little more than enough yarn or twine to hang the finished seed ball in the desired location.
- Fold the wire back and forth, looping it and bunching it up to create a loose wire ball.
- Tie the twine securely to one of the loops.
- Warm the lard or suet in the microwave until it is soft, but not runny, and work with your activity partner to mix it together with the seeds in a large bowl.
- Ask your activity partner to assist you, and use your hands to mash the seed mixture into and around the wire ball until the wire is completely covered.
- Place finished balls on waxed paper in the freezer to harden before hanging outside. Be aware that the balls may melt in hot weather.
Download the instructions here.
Taking it to the next level
If you decide to keep some of the bird seed balls for your loved one, here are some ideas for making your creation even more fun.
- Take photos of the birds. If you have a smartphone, you, as the caregiver or your loved one, can take photos of the birds as they visit the seed ball.
- Identify the birds. You can choose from many resources to help with Bird ID. An old-fashioned field guide or online tools such as The Cornell Lab All About Birds or the mobile app Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab are all good choices.
- Listen to the bird songs. The Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab, mentioned above, is fun to use (and easy). The app listens to the birds singing around you and identifies the birds through their song. It’s remarkable to discover and identify the birds around you. As a caregiver, you may start the app on your mobile phone and share the results on your phone’s screen with your client or loved one. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play store.
We hope you find our activity of creating a bird seed ball fun and stimulating. Feel free to download the instructions here. And you can find the complete Joyful Moments kit here.
