Easy-Build Bird Feeders
An easy craft to help feed the birds
One of the easiest ways to help wild birds in your backyard is to put out a feeder for them, but why go to the store and buy an expensive feeder when items from around your house will do just as well? You'll be helping the environment as well as the animals and birds in your yard. You can provide bird food with reused items from your own refrigerator. We've included some bird feeder crafts for your kids to build on a snowy afternoon that will not only be fun for them, but will benefit the birds that winter in your garden, too.
Wooden Bird Feeder Ornaments
You will need:
- Wooden pieces in interesting shapes like stars, hearts, etc - can be bought at any craft store or made easily if you have a jigsaw
- Melted suet or lard
- Birdseed
- String
Cover wooden pieces completely in lard or suet, and then roll in a pan of birdseed until they are completely covered. Let dry, then hang outside on a tree or from a bird feeder and watch the birds flock to get the treat.
Milk Carton Bird Feeders
You will need:
- A milk carton
- Scissors
- Birdseed
- String
Cut holes in the sides of the carton 2.5 inches from the bottom. Poke a hole in the top of the carton, fill with birdseed and hang outside.
Disappearing Bagel Bird Feeders
You will need:
- A stale bagel
- Peanut butter
- Birdseed
- Shortening, such as Crisco
- String
Mix peanut butter with shortening, then coat the bagel in the mixture. Roll in birdseed, then hang from a tree and watch the bagel disappear as the birds eat the delicious treat.
Cereal Necklace Bird Feeders
You will need:
- O-shaped cereal, like Cheerios
- String
Thread the cereal onto the string and then tie it at both ends. Hang it on a tree or on a bird feeder to watch the birds peck at their new tasty piece of jewelry! Caution: This project is nutritionally better for birds when sugary cereal is not used. Protect birds' health and be careful what cereal you use.
