Reuniting Kids w/ Nature – Edible Birds Nests

MATERIALS: 

• Pretzels, a bar of milk or dark chocolate, your favorite egg-shaped candies, a double boiler, wax paper, a cookie sheet, a large mixing bowl.
• In addition to pretzels, you can also use nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews, etc), coconut flakes or sunflower seeds, depending on your preferences or allergies.
• These little nests make great gifts for friends or treats at a spring or Earth Day party, just be aware of any nut allergies and plan accordingly!!

TIME FRAME:

30-60 minutes + cooling time

PROCEDURE:

1. Place your chocolate in a double boiler on your stove over medium-low flame/temperature
2. While your chocolate is melting, gather your nesting ingredients (pretzels, nuts, etc)
3. Once your chocolate is melted, pour it into a large bowl and slowly mix in your nesting ingredients until they are all fully coated in the chocolate.  Your mixture should be quite chunky with little to no “extra” chocolate, so add more chunkiness if necessary.
4. Heap your mixture, a small handful at a time, onto your wax paper covered cookie sheet and gently shape into small nests.
5. Once full, place your cookie sheet in the refrigerator and allow to cool for at least one hour.
6. When ready to serve (or eat), place your favorite egg-shaped candies inside each nest and enjoy the “Oohs” and “Ahhs” you’ll hear!

REFLECTION: 

Which ingredients did you choose to put in your nests and why?  Can you think of any different ingredients that might be good additions? How does this activity tie into an appreciation for nature?  How can these treats help you spread the word about your love for nature and all of its creatures?

MAKE SEEDLINGS INSTEAD!

1. You can also use all the same ingredients to make little “seedlings”, except that,  instead of using candy eggs, you’ll need a few sprigs of mint!
2. Before putting your chocolate on the stove, gently wash your mint and allow it to air dry on a towel.
3. Instead of shaping the mixture into a nest-like shape,  simply create little mounds of “earth” and place them in the refrigerator to cool.
4. Once cool, place your mint in the top and you have a little seedling!