How to Make Bird Feeders From Recycled Materials for Kids

Help kids reuse materials by making bird feeders.

Recycled bird feeders are inexpensive crafts that can be made at home, at school or at camp. Since the bird feeders use recycled materials, you might find that you already have many of the supplies. When completed, encourage kids to observe the types of birds that are drawn to each bird feeder. Allow kids to be responsible for refilling the feeders with seed.

Things You'll Need

• Peanut butter
• Spoon
• Pine cone
• Birdseed
• Aluminum pie plate
• Scissors
• String
• Milk carton
• Box cutter
• 2 wooden dowels, ½ inch
• Wire
• Soda bottle, 2 liter
• Drill
• Paper towel tube
• Tape
• Tree

Instructions

Pine Cone Bird Feeder

1. 

   Pine cones make a natural base for a bird feeder.

   Scoop the peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon. Spread the peanut butter onto the pine cone.

2. 

   Peanut butter helps the birdseed stick to the pinecone.

   Pour the birdseed into the aluminum pie plate. Roll the peanut butter-covered pine cone into the birdseed.

3. 

   Hang the bird feeder with string.

   Cut a 12 inch long piece of string. Tie one end of the string to the pointed tip of the pine cone. Tie the other end of the string around a tree limb.

Milk Carton Bird Feeder

1. 

   Box cutters should be used with care.

   Rinse and dry an empty milk carton. Cut a semi-circular hole on one side of the milk carton using the box cutter. The hole should be about 1/3 from the bottom of the carton. Cut another semi-circular hole on the side of the milk carton directly opposite the first hole.

2. Cut a small hole with the box cutter about 1 inch below the semi-circular hole. Repeat underneath the other semi-circular hole. Push the ½ inch wooden dowel into the hole, through the milk carton and out the other hole.

3. 

   Insert wire at the top of the milk carton.

   Poke a small hole with the box cutter 1½ inch from the top of the milk carton above the semi-circular hole. Repeat with the opposite side of the milk carton. Push the wire into the hole, through the milk carton and out the other hole.

4. 

   Hang the bird feeder on a low tree limb.

   Wrap the wire loosely around a tree branch. Pour birdseed into the milk carton.

Soda Bottle Bird Feeder

1. 

   Save the lid when washing the soda bottle.

   Remove the label from the empty two-liter soda bottle. Rinse the bottle and let it dry completely.

2. 

   Drill holes for the wire hanger.

   Drill a small hole about 2 inches from the bottom of the soda bottle. Drill another small hole directly opposite the first hole. Push the wire into the hole, through the bottle and out the other hole.

3. 

   Choose a drill bit the same size as the wooden dowel.

   Drill a small hole near the top of the bottle, at the beginning of the bottle’s widest part. Drill another small hole directly opposite the first hole. Push the ½ inch wooden dowel into the hole, through the soda bottle and out the other hole.

4. 

   Cut holes for the birds to reach the food.

   Cut a rectangular shape with the box cutter about 1 inch above the dowel. Repeat with the opposite side of the soda bottle.

5. 

   Place your birdfeeder where birds can easily reach it.

   Invert the bottle and screw on the lid. Wrap the wire loosely around a tree branch. Pour birdseed into the soda bottle.

Aluminum Pie Plate Bird Feeder

1. 

   Aluminum pie plates can be recycled into a bird feeder base.

   Wash and dry the aluminum pie plate. Cut a small hole in the center of the aluminum pie plate using the box cutter.

2. 

   Tie the string into a firm knot.

   Cut an 18 inch piece of string. Tie a large knot at one end of the string. Push the string through the hole in the aluminum pie plate so that the knot is underneath the pie plate.

3. 

   Secure the paper towel tube to the pie plate to help stabilize the feeder.

   Insert the top of the string through the cardboard paper towel tube. Tape the paper towel tube to the aluminum pie plate.

4. 

   Include a variety of seeds to attract different types of birds.

   Tie the top of the string to a low tree limb. Pour birdseed into the aluminum pie plate.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint the bird feeders with non-toxic paint for a decorative look.

• Adults may need to use the box cutter and drill for younger children. Older children still require adult supervision.

References

• Museum of Natural History, University of Wisconsin Steven's Point: Bird Adaptations
• Disney Family Fun: Make Recycled Bird Feeder
• Environmental Field School, Alabama 4-H Center: Animal Adventures, A.I.R.E.S. Activity Journal
• Software for Environmental Awareness: Trash Birdhouse

Resources

• Birds & Blooms: Recycled Bird Feeder