Making bird feeders at home is fun and helps kids learn to appreciate nature. When children participate in making feeders, they learn about different birds and also gain respect for nature and the outdoors.
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Check PriceA great way to get some quality family time, along with fun and learning, is doing this activity. But how do you keep kids engaged while also teaching them how to protect and care for wildlife?
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This article will detail 20 simple, fun, creative, and age-appropriate DIY bird feeders for kids. Each project fosters creativity and hands on learning and is a great way to inspire young bird watchers.
Suction Cup Bird Feeder
Kids will love a window suction cup bird feeder, as they will be able to see birds up close! These feeders stick right to the window with sturdy suction cups, so children will have an unobstructed view of the birds as they eat!
The feeders are made from clear acrylic so kids can see all the details. They can attract all sorts of birds. They are a fun and educational addition to the home. You can check the detailed reviews on various window feeder models here.
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A Pine Cone Peanut Butter Feeder is a great bird feeder project that kids can help make. First, grab a piece of string or twine about 8 to 10 inches long, and cut it. Then, tie one end of the string tightly around the top of the pine cone.
Next, spread peanut butter all over the pine cone. The sticky peanut butter will help the bird seeds stick on. Roll the peanut butter-coated pine cone in bird seeds and press gently so that the seeds will stick.
After covering the pine cone with birdseed, the next step is hanging it outside, This feeder will draw in the birds and teach children about the wildlife. You can find more information at Country Hill Cottage.
Milk Carton Bird Feeder
Making a milk carton bird feeder is a fun and simple project the kids can do. First, wash out the milk carton. Next, cut out a section from one of the sides, leaving some empty space at the bottom so you can add some bird seed. Finally, you can decorate the carton however you want using your craft supplies.
Then, make a small hole below the opening and stick a dowel or a firm stick through it so you have a perch that will help birds land and eat. Tie a string to the top as a hanger. Put birdseed in and hang it where birds will come often. For full instructions, see this guide on milk carton bird feeders.
Plastic Bottles Feeder
One of the best projects for children is building a recycled plastic bottle feeder. Teaching kids the importance of recycling, it is also extremely easy to make. Using just an empty plastic bottle, some string, and a handful of other basic materials, you will have everything you need.
Start by washing the bottle and letting it dry. Then, near the bottom of the bottle, cut an opening that is big enough for birds to get to the seed inside. Below the opening, attach a perch for the birds to sit on while eating.
The bird feeder is eco-friendly, and will bring in a variety of birds. Easy Homemade DIY Bird Feeder Ideas has more ideas. These types of projects will give kids an opportunity to engage with nature.
DIY Cheerios Bird Feeder
Make a Cheerios bird feeder is a great for kids and is very easy! Using Cheerios and pipe cleaners, you can make this fun and easy craft.
Kids can practice their fine motor skills by threading Cheerios on a pipe cleaner. You can twist the pipe cleaner into shapes like a circle or a heart and make a hanging loop!
This bird feeder works well for attracting small birds. When it comes to Cheerios bird feeders, you can check out Red Ted Art for more ideas.
Citrus Cup Feeder
A Citrus Cup Feeder is a great way to make use of the beauty in the outdoors and the craft in the indoors. To make this feeder, cut an orange or grapefruit in half and scoop out all of the inner fruit leaving the outer skin intact.
First fill the hollowed-out citrus cup with bird seed. If you want to hang it up, you can poke holes on the side and thread pieces of twine through the holes to create a loop.
Use citrus feeders to recycle food scraps and feed birds! Birds are attracted by the color and scent of the citrus and find feeders with citrus slices irresistible.
Wooden Spoon Feeder
Making a wooden spoon feeder is an easy project that kids can do. It uses a few materials and can be done in a small amount of time.
To make this feeder, take a plastic bottle and stick two wooden spoons through the sides. Make the hole at the end of the bowl of each spoon bigger so birdseed can spill out.
Make sure to fill the bottle with birdseed all the way to the spoon bowls. This way, birds can sit on the spoon handles, and for kids, this will be a fun way to watch birds! More information can be found on the Life, Creatively Organized website.
Popsicle Stick Feeder
Kids will love making a popsicle stick feeder. First, make a base. Line up eight sticks side by side. Then, glue two sticks across them to hold them together. This easy structure will be the base.
To create walls for a feeding station, take some wooden sticks, and make a small crate by stacking and gluing them to the base. Just make sure the crate walls are strong enough to hold small bird feed containers. You can also add a stick as a perch to make it easier for birds to land.
Lastly, you will need some string or rope to hang the feeder. Cut four pieces of string about four feet long, then attach one piece to each corner. This feeder is a fun and educational activity for kids. For more bird feeder ideas, check out The Best Ideas for Kids.
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Mason Jar Feeder
These bird feeders are easy to craft and have the potential to lure in numerous species of birds. All you need are a few materials like a mason jar, some bird seed, and a small, round chicken feeder.
You can add a rustic flair with a vintage mason jar. The chicken feeder serves as a base to hold the seeds. Strong string or twine can be used to hang it up, making the feeder simple to secure and install.
Using a bit of imagination, adults as well as children can find this project enjoyable.
Egg Carton Bird Feeder
Making a bird feeder from an egg carton is an excellent way to recycle and a fun project that kids can assist with. First, remove the lid from the egg carton. Next, on each of the four corners of the carton, use scissors to make a hole.
Tie a piece of string or twine through the holes. Tie knots at each end to secure the string. This will create a hanger for your feeder.
Fill every section of the egg carton with birdseed. Then hang the carton feeder on a tree branch or a hook. This feeder is great to make with kids and is wonderful for drawing in nearby birds.
Terracotta Pot Feeder
Making a terracotta pot feeder is easy and enjoyable. Take a terracotta pot and turn it upside down. This will act as the bottom part of your feeder.
Using non-toxic glue, apply some around the edge of the pot, and attach a terracotta saucer to it to make a roof. Make sure to let the glue dry completely before you hang it up.
Find a location outside that is safe to hang the feeder. Birds will enjoy the food, and you will enjoy watching the birds visit the feeder. You can also check out this guide for more information.
Easy Bagel Seed Feeder
Making a bird bagel feeder is a great project for kids. All you need to do is cut a bagel in half, then spread peanut butter on one of the halves. Next, get bird seed and pour it into a bowl. After that, take the bagel and press the peanut butter side into the bird seed.
A great way to keep kids active and feed birds in your backyard is to tie a piece of string to a bagel and hang it from a tree (to make it a bird feeder). For more information, check out PBS Crafts for Kids.
Yogurt Cup Feeder
Making a yogurt cup feeder is a simple and cheap project. First, you will need an empty yogurt cup. Clean it out so there is no leftover yogurt. Next, poke a hole in the bottom of the cup and thread a piece of string through the hole.
Put the cup in your backyard with the bird seeds and raisins. Birds will be attracted to the hanging feeder. This feeder will be appreciated by numerous birds, giving them a healthy reward, and recycling some materials.
Look up other homemade bird feeders that children can create for more ideas like this.
Lollipop Stick Feeder
Making a lollipop stick feeder is a fun and easy project to do with kids! For this project, grab a piece of cardboard tubing and create pairs of slits on opposite sides of the tube. These slits should be large enough to fit some lollipop sticks.
Place the sticks in the incisions to position the perches, giving the birds a place to rest while they feed.
Mix together peanut butter and bird seed and coat the tube in the mixture. Use a bit of string or jute cord to hang the feeder in a tree. This one-of-a-kind feeder will draw in many different small birds to your yard.
Painted Clay Pot Feeder
Making a bird feeder out of a clay pot is a fun and creative way to get more use out of the pot! Start with a medium sized pot and use non-toxic paint that is weather resistant to paint your pot. The brighter the better, as many birds are attracted to bright colors. This will also add color to your garden.
Once the paint has dried, use a clear sealer to protect it. When that is completely dry, take a waterproof glue and attach a saucer to the base. This will become the feeding platform.
Insert a strong rope through the pot's drainage hole and tie a good knot for easy hanging. Hang it on a tree branch or hook to attract birds to your yard. For ideas, look for colorful designs on DIY Clay Pot Bird Feeders.
Orange Peel Feeder
An orange peel feeder is also very simple and good for the environment. Making this feeder involves taking an orange and cutting it in half. After that, you scoop out the fruit.
Then make two or four punch holes near the edge and thread some string or twine through the holes to create a loop for hanging.
To make a bird feeder, take hollowed out orange halves, spread some peanut butter in the middle, and fill the rest with birdseed. You can then hang the feeder on a tree branch and see how the birds enjoy the food!
Easy, biodegradable feeders are great for kids to help make, and attract local birds to your backyard! Check out more info on the Easy Peasy Creative site.
DIY Teacup Feeder
A DIY teacup feeder is a great way to keep your garden looking charming. Plus, it is very easy to create using a teacup and a couple of other everyday objects.
These feeders are designed to be easily mounted on vertical poles, or they can be hung from trees using a sturdy adhesive or strong hook. Also, birds will enjoy the perch while they are feeding, and this design will keep the feed dry!
Visit 20 charming DIY teacup bird feeders for a comprehensive guide and suggestions for making the feeders.
Coconut Shell Feeder
Making a coconut shell bird feeder is a fun eco-friendly craft project for children. You can use a coconut shell that would otherwise be thrown away.
Begin by cleaning the coconut shell in detail. Rinse with water and scrub the shell to remove and debris or pulp that may still be present.
Then, make two holes for hanging close to the top of the shell. Use jute thread or sturdy string to make a loop.
Put bird seed, suet, or a combination of seeds and dried fruit in the shell. Then hang it on a tree branch so that it will attract birds to your yard. For further instructions on this project, please take a look at DIY Bird Feeder.
Paper Plate Feeder
Making a feeder using paper plates can be a fun and simple project for kids! They will need two paper plates, some paint, some markers, and a cardboard tube. First, they can paint one plate a dark color and the other one a light color.
After they have dried, cut from the edges of the plates towards the middle to create petals. To each plate, make a hole in the middle and push a painted green cardboard tube through.
This feeder helps kids engage with a fun activity, and it also helps birds. For instructions, look at our paper plate bird feeder guide.
Bamboo Tube Feeder
A great choice to feed birds while helping the environment is a bamboo tube feeder. To build this, look for a thick bamboo tree. Next, cut the stalk to a working length, which is approximately 12 inches.
Start by taking your bamboo tube and small drill bit (1-2mm) and drill a few holes into the bottom of the tube. These holes will be used as feeding ports for the birds so it is important that the drill bit is large enough so the drilling is smooth.
Run a strong string or wire through the top of the bamboo tube for hanging. Fill the tube with birdseed to get some birds flying around. This is a fast and easy project and is great for kids.
For more ideas, visit 32 Easy Homemade Bird Feeders.
