It was one of my favorite chores, filling up the bird feeder that set tall and centered in our backyard. I'd grab the big bag of birdseed from the shed, haul it through the grass, and gruffly scoop the seeds into my large plastic cup. I'd have to stand on my tippy toes to be able to reach the opening, but I knew the seeds that fell would either be salvaged by birds or grow into flowers. The bird feeder was frequented by red cardinals, and sometimes black crows we would scare away, but mostly sweet and pretty birds that brought song, life, and natural beauty to whomever was doing dishes at the kitchen sink.
I can't remember exactly what it looked like, but it was painted and wooden, nothing too fancy, nothing trendy, but a centerpiece of home and comfort both to my childhood and to our family memories. I remember one summer we fed the birds only sunflower seeds and to our surprise enormous sunflowers grew around the feeder. It was magical. Not as magical as the Mammoth Sunflowers that I planted with my mother one year, but magical nonetheless.
A pair of small brown birds are perched on a black railing in an outdoor space.
Why a Bird Feeder?
Create magical childhood and family memories by adding a birdfeeder to our outdoor space.
Below are directions to make a Kid's DIY Backyard Bird Feeder, a link to our DIY Wooden Birdfeeder, and links to birdhouses to purchase.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means that I earn a small commission--at no cost to you!
Many a family have made wooden birdhouses, and I highly recommend Lowes or Home Depot's "Build It" Saturdays for a chance to do incredibly minimal effort as a tired parent. You can also purchase a small and simple Wooden Bird House Kit on Amazon that includes all of the materials you need.
However, focusing more on the feeding of birds than the housing of birds will get the birds gathering, socializing, and singing for us above the trees in our yard. Be sure to go ahead and order birdfeed so that you can fill up your birdfeeder once it is finished. Kaytee's Ultimate Birder's Blend Food is our favorite.
Left: Beetle & Bee Build a Bungalow Bird House Kit for Kids ages 5+
Kaytee's Ultimate Birder's Blend
DIY Kid's Bird Feeder Craft
Looking for a homemade DIY craft birdfeeder craft for the kids? Here's a simple idea you may have seen before! We made these after lunch on a homeschool day, and it was a wonderful way to spend some quality time with the kids before winding down for a rest while also checking off the box for math, science, and craft time for my toddler. Something about being outside is calming to everyone in the family. We have also added some additional and optional math + science connections, so use those as needed for a happy + organic homeschool lesson!
All you need for this simple DIY birdfeeder is a couple of household supplies, and you'll be feeding birds in no time!
Step 1: Gather Supplies & Fill a Pan with Birdseed
Supplies:
- Toilet Paper Rolls (At least 1 for each kid)
- Peanut Butter or Almond Butter
- Knife or Spoon
- String, twine, or yarn
- Bird Seed
My toddler really shined with this step, and I slowed myself down to let her play with the birdseed for awhile. She loved the texture and kept picking it up and dropping it in the pan. I gave her a spoon, repeated the words "bird food" "seeds" "for the birds", and she quickly caught on. She even saw a bird flying by and said, "For the birds!" "YES!" I happily confirmed to her sweet smile.
My two older boys didn't seem interested at first, but they soon noticed that they were missing out on something fun, and they sat down with us. I have noticed this is a homeschool trick and a tip to make a successful and happy day. I'm a former teacher, so I am used to quickly stating classroom objectives, moving right into the lesson, everyone doing the lesson together, and then the bell ringing and they're gone. Well, that does NOT happen with homeschool. There are no bells, there are no starting or ending times; that has been the largest adjustment for me in homeschooling my children: learning flexibility and moving slow through lessons. It's even better to make it feel like it's not even a lesson at all. The aim for a happy and successful homeschool lesson is to make the kids feel like they are doing something natural, organic, and not rushed. I'm sure there is scientific evidence showing that this is the most effective way a child learns.
Step 2: Smother the Toilet Paper Roll in Peanut Butter
Step 3: Roll / Sprinkle Seeds onto the peanut butter
Step 4: Cut a piece of string or twine around 2 feet long, string it through the toilet paper roll & tie together.
Math Connection:
We quickly moved through these simple steps, but there are two ways you could make elementary math connections with this craft.
1. Measurement: Break out the yard stick and have the kids measure 2 feet or however long you tell them to cut the string.
2. Weight: With a kitchen scale, have the kids measure the weight of the pan of bird seed. After they put birdseed onto the feeder, have them measure it again. Find out the weight of bird seed used with subtraction, taking the difference between the initial weight and the final weight.
We have this Amazon Basics Kitchen Scale and it is perfect for math connections like this!
3. Comparison: Students can measure their bird feeder and see whose feeder has a greater weight than the others. They will likely try to add more peanut butter and add more seed. This could be a good way to motivate your kids and to make the craft last longer. (My ADHD boys quickly move through crafts so I am always looking for ways to extend the lesson.)
Step 5: Hang the bird feeder
You can hang your feeder anywhere in the yard. We chose random branches on trees that we could reach, and also places that we had to climb to.
Have fun!
Preschool Extension:
Play a game of hide and seek with your bird feeders. Hide the bird feeder on a limb a fence post and see how long it takes for your toddler or preschooler to find it.
Science Connection:
Before you make the feeders, spend some time researching birds that live in your area. Perhaps check out some books at the library or take out your binoculars and do a bit of observation. You may decide to purchase a different type of bird seed depending on the birds that are in your backyard.
For elementary kids, do a bit of observation with binoculars. Make a chart of types of birds in your yard, and make a graph of the birds that you see in an afternoon in your backyard.
For older kids, have them do research and write a research paper on local birds in the area.
Art Connection:
Draw + watercolor the birds that you see in your backyard.
Preschool Art: Make a playdough model of the birds.
DIY Birdfeeder for Adults to Make (Link Coming Soon!)
If you'd like to build a birdhouse like the one from my childhood dreams, click on the link above to see our DIY! It's big, sturdy, and a bird sanctuary for the centerpiece of your yard.
If you'd like to just purchase one, there are many options at Lowe's and Home Depot as well as Amazon. It's totally okay not to DIY everything, no matter what Pinterest may tell you.
Classic Birdfeeders to Purchase for your Outdoor Space
1. Go classic with Kaytee's Cedar Bird Feeder. It is Made in the USA by the Amish community, which is pretty neat if you ask me. They know how to build.
2. Birdream's 2 pack of Outdoor Bird Feeders is a more decorative option, pagoda style.
3. Have a little STEM lesson on Solar Power while also learning about birds with this Solar Metal Bird Feeder that lights up at night using the energy generated from solar power. It would also make an incredible gift for your favorite bird lover or outdoor enthusiast.
Left: Kaytee Cedar Seed & Suet Wooden Birdfeeder // Right: Birdream's 2 pack of Outdoor Birdfeeders
Solar Power Bird House Available on Amazon.
Click Here
Kid's DIY Birdfeeder // Homeschool Project // Hands-on Classroom Project // Mother's Day Gift
1. Here is a no-plan, 1-click purchase option for a DIY Kid's Birdfeeder by National Geographic that includes all supplies needed except a screwdriver. This would be great for beginners as all supplies are included and instructions are visible and relatable to kids. It is available on Amazon.
2. Here is another no-plan, 1-click purchase option that includes 2 sets for a DIY Kid's Birdfeeder/Bird House Combo. It includes the wood pieces, paint, and hanging rope.
Left: National Geographic Build Your Own Bird Feeder // Right: 2-Pack DIY bird house and birdfeeder combo available on Amazon.
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