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A clean milk or juice carton is all you need for a basic hanging bird feeder: cut a feeding opening, add a small perch and hanger, then fill it with birdseed. Have an adult supervise any cutting, and plan to clean the feeder at least weekly.
What do you need to make a homemade bird feeder?
For the simplest seed feeder, gather:
- One clean, empty milk or juice carton
- Scissors or a craft knife, used by an adult or with adult supervision
- A small stick for a perch
- Cord, ribbon or wire for hanging
- Birdseed
Paint, brushes, recycled decorations and craft glue are optional. If you decorate the carton, let paint or glue dry completely before adding seed. The National Audubon Society’s March 25, 2020 carton-feeder guide describes this basic approach.
How do you make a bird feeder from a carton?
- Cut the feeding opening. On one side of the carton, cut a large opening in the center, beginning several inches above the bottom. Audubon’s instruction is: “Cut a large hole in the center of one side of the carton, starting several inches from the bottom.” Leaving the lower section intact helps keep seed in the carton.
- Add a perch. Make a small hole below the feeding opening and push a stick through it. Keep the perch close enough to the opening for birds to reach the seed.
- Make the hanger. Make two small holes near the top on opposite sides. Thread cord or wire through them and secure it into a loop.
- Decorate, if you like. Use optional paint or recycled decorations, then let everything dry fully before filling.
- Fill and hang. Add birdseed and hang the feeder about five feet above the ground in a visible location.
What is a quick alternative to the carton feeder?
If you have a cardboard tube and suet or lard, the RSPB describes a simple seed-coated tube feeder. Its activity guidance says it takes under an hour; use care with scissors and get adult help where needed.
- Make aligned holes through the tube for two sticks or skewers, which will act as perches.
- Make two holes near the other end and thread cord through them to create a hanger.
- Coat the tube with lard or suet, then roll it in birdseed.
- Insert the sticks through the aligned holes and hang the feeder.
Unlike the carton, this design needs suet or lard to hold the seed in place. The RSPB’s instructions for a simple bird feeder explain the method.
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National Geographic Build Your Own Bird Feeder Craft Kit for Kids
- BUILD, PAINT & DISCOVER – Create a one-of-a-kind bird feeder with this hands-on kit! Kids & adults will have a blast working together to build and decorate their feeder, then set it up for real birds to enjoy. A great Easter basket stuffer or gift!
- A FUN DIY PROJECT WITH REAL-WORLD REWARDS – Follow easy-to-understand instructions to assemble the feeder, then customize it with six vibrant paint colors. The only tool needed is a Phillips screwdriver (not included).
- WATCH BIRDS UP CLOSE – Once complete, the feeder becomes a window into the world of birds! Kids can watch different species visit and enjoy their handmade feeder, sparking curiosity and excitement for nature.
- LEARN AS YOU OBSERVE – The included bird-watching journal lets kids track their sightings, while the full-color educational poster is packed with fascinating facts to help identify birds and understand their behaviors.
- EVERYTHING NEEDED FOR HOURS OF FUN – This complete kit includes pre-cut wooden panels, paint, a brush, a bird-watching journal, and an educational poster. It’s the perfect blend of creativity, science, and outdoor adventure!
How do you keep the feeder safe and clean?
- Keep cutting adult-supervised. Audubon calls for adult supervision, and the RSPB advises care with scissors and adult help where needed.
- Keep bird food separate from human food. The RSPB notes that birdseed, including peanuts sold for birds, is not human food.
- Consider pets when choosing food. The RSPB warns that raisins and sultanas can be toxic to dogs and cats; avoid them in gardens where pets may reach them. Seed alone avoids that ingredient concern.
- Clean regularly. The RSPB’s current guidance recommends cleaning feeders at least weekly, clearing old food and droppings underneath, and cleaning, disinfecting, rinsing and fully drying feeder parts before putting them back together and refilling. Its advice also says to avoid flat feeders, based on its disease-risk review. See its bird-feeder disease guidance.
Cleaning intervals and disease guidance can differ by region and change over time. Audubon’s older disease-prevention article attributes advice to Project FeederWatch to clean seed feeders about every two weeks, more often if disease is suspected. For a conservative routine, follow the RSPB’s at-least-weekly recommendation and check current local wildlife-health guidance for disinfectant instructions rather than assuming one solution is appropriate everywhere. Audubon’s article is available at How to Prevent Bird Diseases at Feeders.
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Rank #3
LotFancy Bird House Kit, 2 Pack, DIY Wooden Birdhouse Kits, Arts and Crafts Painting Kit for Kids, Build and Paint, Including Paints & Brushes
- BUILDING & PAINTING KIT: The Package contains 2 bird house kits, Each bird craft kit includes 10 wood pieces with pre-drilled holes, 1 perch post, 1 hanging rope, 28 screws, 6 colors of paint, 2 brushes, 1 easy-to-follow instruction guide; Phillips screwdriver needed for assembly (not included)
- NATURAL MATERIALS: Our unassembled diy bird houses are made of solid pine wood; safe and non-toxic; eco-friendly and durable for outdoor use; Water-based, water resistant paint for easy cleanup
- EDUCATIONAL & FUN: Our diy birdhouse kits are the perfect family project; Kids can build and customize their very own DIY birdhouse with the included paints and brush; Kids building kits help develop patience, concentration, and problem-solving skills; paints will promote creativity and imagination
- BIRD FRIENDLY DESIGN: Feeding trough at the front of the birdhouse for easy feeding; The diameter of the entrance is 2.55'' with a convenient perch peg at the entrance
- FUN GIFT FOR KIDS: Children will enjoy building and personalizing this bird feeder kit; Then have fun picking a spot to hang the home and wait for a bird family to move in; An great gift for a Birthday, Christmas, Thanksgiving
Rank #2
CroBlissful 12 Pack Bird Feeder Craft Kits for Kids DIY Your Own Bird Feeders with Paint and Paintbrushes Wooden Arts and Crafts for Kid Ornaments to Paint Feeders Craft for Garden(Flower Shape)
- DIY Bird Feeder Kit: you will receive 12 pieces of wooden bird feeders, 1 roll of jute rope, 12 pieces of stainless steel bowls, 12 sheets of stickers, 2 sets of paint and 2 pieces of painting brushes, sufficient quantity and ideal combination to allow children to play freely and create their own art, enjoy the fun of handcrafts
- Suitable Size: this wooden bird feeder of this bird feeder kits for kids measures about 6 inch, and the rope measures about 100 ft long, which make it easy for you to hang them, they can be applied not only as traditional birdhouses, but also as decorative elements for your home or garden; You can paint them, or decorate them with other decorations (not included in the product), adding a touch of charm to your space
- Safe and Durable: this DIY bird feeders for outside is made of quality wood, the bowl is made of quality stainless steel material, they are durable, well made, sturdy and wear resistant, suitable for long term use
- Ideal Gifts: this kids bird feeder kit is suitable as a gift for boys, girls, sons, daughters, nieces or grandchildren; It is an ideal gift for children who love animals and nature, and can also be applied as a school craft project or an ideal craft toy for daily children's activities or birthday parties in autumn, winter and spring
- DIY Features: children can design it according to their own ideas, such as drawing their favorite patterns, or writing it; Then put the bowl in the middle of the flower, pass the jute rope through the hole on the bird feeder, and you will get a unique bird feeder
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