Ever since I watched my kids squeal with delight at the sight of a chubby little sparrow pecking at the crumbs they tossed outside, I’ve been itching to make DIY bird feeders with them. I mean, who doesn’t want to see their little ones' faces light up as they welcome feathered friends into our backyard? It’s not just about feeding the birds, right? It’s about creating memories together, like when we built that rickety tree fort that one summer—it was a complete flop, yet we still laugh about it! So, what if we could turn simple materials into something that brings nature a little closer and sparks their curiosity? Are you with me on this little adventure?
Items You’ll Need
- Pine cones
- Peanut butter or lard
- Bird seed
- String or twine
- Plastic bottle (e.g. soda bottle)
- Wood (for wooden feeders)
- Scissors
- Drill (optional for wooden feeders)
- Butter knives (for spreading peanut butter)
- Paint (optional for decorating feeders)
- Plastic cups or bowls (for feeding stations)
- Paper plates (optional for mess management)
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
First, I gather all of my equipment. I have pine cones, peanut butter, bird seed, string, a plastic bottle, wood, scissors, a drill, butter knives, paint, plastic cups, and paper plates. It's important to have everything ready before starting!
Step 2: Create Pine Cone Feeders
I take a pine cone and spread a generous layer of peanut butter all over it using a butter knife. The more, the better! Once it's nicely coated, I roll the pine cone in bird seed until it's covered. It looks so fun and colorful!
Step 3: Attach String
I cut a piece of string or twine, about 12 inches long, and tie it to the top of the pine cone. This will help me hang it up later. I make sure the knot is tight!
Step 4: Prepare the Plastic Bottle Feeder
Next, I take a plastic bottle, like a soda bottle. I carefully use scissors to cut a few holes in the side of the bottle. These will be the feeding ports for the birds. I can make them big enough for the birds to access the seeds!
Step 5: Add Bird Seed
After making the holes, I fill the bottle with bird seed. I leave some space at the top so it doesn't spill out too much. Then I can cap the bottle and shake it a little so the seeds settle down.
Step 6: Hang the Feeders
Now it's time to hang my feeders! I go outside and find a nice tree branch to hang my pine cone feeders. I tie them securely so they won't fall. For the plastic bottle feeder, I use more twine to hang it as well!
Step 7: Decorate the Feeders
If I feel creative, I grab some paint and decorate the feeders. I let the kids paint colorful designs on the wooden pieces or the plastic bottles. This makes our bird feeders unique and fun!
Step 8: Set Up Feeding Stations
I also set up feeding stations using plastic cups or bowls. I fill them with bird seed and place them on the ground. This way, ground-feeding birds can also enjoy the meal!
Step 9: Enjoy Watching the Birds
Finally, we sit back and wait for the birds to come! We grab some binoculars and have fun spotting different birds that come to visit our feeders. It's exciting to see them enjoying the food we've prepared!