February 21: Home for Birds Week (3rd week of February)

image from portersonline.com

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Paper Mache Bird Houses

Materials:

• Smocks
• Newspaper
• Water
• Flour
• Large pot
• Clean medium-sized milk carton
• Masking tape
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Tear newspaper into shreds and place in pot. Fill with water and boil for 30 minutes until paper turns to pulp.
2. Cool the pulp and squeeze out the water. Add 2 cups of flour and mix well.
3. Seal the top of the carton with masking tape and cut a hole larger than desired for finished product.
4. Cover whole carton (make sure pulp is on inside of hole as well) with paper mache pulp and leave to dry in sun.
5. When dry, add second layer and any desired decorations. Whole process may take a couple days.
6. Paint and add a coat of varnish for protection from the elements if desired.

Source(s): From kidzworld.com; featured in Toolbox Training book 100 Nature Activities for Kids (activity H11)

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Check out the full February calendar. It includes floating holidays, specialty weeks, and specialty months.

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