Summer Art Project: DIY Bird Feeder

(Image from supersimple.com)

Summer is the perfect time to connect with nature. Using recycled materials, this DIY bird feeder project encourages students of all ages to get invested in the natural world around them. Whether you’re a teacher looking for a fun summer project, an educator wanting to create an inexpensive project for their community, or a caregiver who wants their children to be excited about their natural environment, this project is for you! 

Birds in areas with backyard feeders are proven to be in better overall health. But not only will your local birds be healthier and happier, but so will your students! This project encourages students to think creatively, spend more time outside, and improve physical and mental health. Studies show that birdwatching encourages physical exercise, practices fine motor skills, and builds developmental skills. 

Our favorite part about this project is that it can get your students thinking about nature preservation in a way they haven’t before! By creating a connection with nature and invoking a responsibility to local wildlife, your students might take up an interest in better understanding the environment around them while fostering a passion for nurturing it as well. 

Keep reading for an easy, backyard bird feeder project you can make with materials found right in your home!

(Image from animallama.com)

What You’ll Need: 

• Empty milk or juice carton (large or small)
• Birdseed
• Marker
• Craft supplies (paint, markers, stickers, etc.)
• Scissors/box cutters
• Hole punch
• String
• Popsicle sticks

What You’ll Do: 

1. Clean and rinse out an empty carton. Let it dry completely.
2. On one side of the carton, use a marker to outline an entrance for your birds. We recommend a large circle or square shape. If desired, outline entrances on other sides as well. 
3. Cut out your entrances following the lines they’ve made. Box cutters or Exacto knives work well here, but scissors can also work. TIP: have these cut out before giving them to the younger student(s). 
4. Decorate the birdfeed! Paint it, color it, and add patterns—just get creative! We recommend not decorating the inside of the carton where the food will be set to prevent food from mixing with other materials. WARNING: Avoid small decorative pieces like glitter or beads to prevent confusion between food and decoration for the birds. 
5. Once the birdfeeder is completely dried, hole-punch one hole under the entrances you’ve cut out. Push a popsicle stick halfway through so that your bird can rest on the outside of the feeder while it eats. 
6. Hole-punch one hole into the top edge of your carton. Weave a 12-inch string into the hole and secure it with a tight knot, creating a loop. 
7. Add bird seed to the bottom of your carton, leveling it with the entrances you’ve created. 
8. Using the string attached to your carton, hang your bird feeder outside on a low branch and watch the birds enjoy their meal!

Tag @mobileedproductions with photos of your DIY summer bird feeders! We can’t wait to see them!

Mobile Ed has equipped educators with fascinating ways to make education exciting and engaging inside their classrooms. Our educational programs are known to be an incredible resource for educators across the country. Use this project and other ones found on our website to change a student’s perspective about learning and make your planning just a little bit simpler. 

Blog post inspired by Animallama.com.