Few kids' crafts pay off like a bird feeder — make one in ten minutes, hang it outside, and within a day there are real live birds to watch from the window. These recycled feeders use things headed for the bin, so they cost nothing and teach a little lesson about wildlife along the way.
Here are the easiest bird feeders kids can make, plus how to keep the birds safe.
Before you start (bird-safe notes)
- Skip nylon mesh or netting — it can trap birds' feet.
- Hang thoughtfully — off the ground and out in the open where cats can't ambush, near a shrub for cover but not right on it.
- Keep it clean — scrub feeders regularly, since dirty ones spread disease.
The best recycled feeders
Pinecone feeder
Roll a pinecone in lard or suet, then in birdseed, and hang it with string. The all-time classic.
Toilet-roll tube feeder
Spread the tube with the same sticky layer, roll it in seed, and thread it onto a branch — no string needed.
Orange-cup feeder
Halve an orange, scoop it out, fill the peel with seed, and string it up. The peel composts when it's done.
Carton feeder
Cut a window in a clean milk or juice carton, poke a perch stick below it, and fill with seed.
Tin-can feeder
A clean can with smoothed edges, laid on its side with a perch — see creative tin-can upcycles for prepping it safely.
Keep the birds coming (and safe)
Refill regularly, scrub the feeder about once a month, keep fresh water nearby, and place it thoughtfully. If you ever notice sickly-looking birds, take feeders down and clean them before putting them back up. For another recycled outdoor project, try these milk jug planters.
Which feeder brought the most birds? Tell us in the comments at ecoxee.com — we love a good garden-visitor story.
Keep reading: How to Make Nature Suncatchers With Kids, How to Make Salt Dough Ornaments, and How to Make Seed Bombs With Kids.
