Winter is such a good time to teach kids about taking care of others! Donating outgrown coats, buying extra hats and mittens to hand out, and working at a soup kitchen are all fantastic ways to keep others' needs in their minds.

But when you need something immediately to diffuse the whines and greediness that can come after a season of presents? I suggest feeding the birds :). You probably already have everything you need in your house, and this quick little project can be a great reset for focusing their attention on someone else!

You just need an apple or two, cut in half from top to bottom. Scoop out the inside - an ice cream scoop can help, but it doesn't have to look pretty! And fill the scooped-out spot with peanut butter (or any nut butter).

Tie twine or string vertically around the whole apple. You can add more peanut butter on top of it, if you want. Press bird seed into the peanut butter firmly, to make sure it sticks. 

Add in any "teachable moments" you might want here ;). Pick a tree that you can see from inside, and help the kids hang it up themselves. You can do it faster, but it's worth dragging a stool outside for them to have ownership of the project!