Spring has sprung, and you can almost hear the grass growing. But where are those birdies? Why not attract them to your home with a bird feeder? There’s no need to hit the garden and home stores and spend your hard-earned dollars. Instead, you can make your very own gorgeous bird feeder at little or no cost.
All thumbs? Not much in the way of tools or equipment? Don’t worry! We’ve divided our finds into “easy” and “moderate” difficulty levels. When we say “Easy,” we MEAN easy, so if you’re looking for a family project to make with your kids, that’s the best place to look. Some of our “moderate” projects aren’t too tricky to do as a family team, but you will need some tools.
Whether you want a bit of a challenge or just the easiest solution, you’ll find the bird feeder that’s right for your feathered friends.
Difficulty: Easy
Glass Bottle Bird Feeder
All you need is a bottle, a premade plastic birdfeeder base that costs about $3.50, and some copper wire. The bird seed in the bottle keeps topping up the base, offering seed-eating birds a continuous feast. Plus, you can get quite artistic, yet still finish your project in minutes.
Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder
By now, you’ve probably seen that some hobbyists will go to great lengths with their popsicle-stick constructions. If you’d like something simple that you can make with your kids, however, this basic popsicle stick construction will do the trick. It’s cute, it’s simple, and the birds are going to love it.
Pinecone Bird Feeder
Grab some pine cones, string them together with some florists’ wire, add a string to suspend it in a safe place, and you have a bird feeder! But what will your feathered friends eat? Simply mix peanut butter (or sunflower butter) with seeds and raisins, and “butter” your cones up for the birds.
Lamp Shade Bird Feeder
Blogger Karen jokingly says her 10-minute bird feeder idea is “genius,” and we have to agree! Those ugly orb-shaped glass lampshades we often get with homes usually end up getting taken down and put into storage, but they make rather classy bird-feeders with a contemporary touch. Other than your lampshade, all you need is a length of nylon rope.
Cereals Bird Feeder
What if you could persuade your kids that Fruit Loops (or Cheerios) are for the birds? Now you can! Any preschooler can manage this simple project in minutes. Simply string fruit loops onto a pipe cleaner, bend it into a heart shape and hang it up with string.
Teacup Bird Feeder
We love this quirky idea! Everyone has odd cups and saucers lying around, gathering dust. Now, they can gather birds instead, and the look is very Alice in Wonderland. Glue the cup horizontally to the saucer, add your bird seed, and hang it using the ear of the cup.
Milk Carton Bird Feeder
Does it sound a bit underwhelming? Think again! This creative idea will make the cutest little bird feeders. All it takes is a few sticks and some glue to turn the top of the carton into a rustic roof, while some craft paint (please check that it’s non-toxic) pretties up the walls. With a doorway cut in and a little bird seed, you now have a bird feeder.
Soda Bottle Bird Feeder
Here’s a great way to turn a soda bottle into a very practical, straightforward bird feeder. Use two wooden spoons to double as perches and bird seed holders, and the soda bottle becomes the seed reservoir that spills its contents bit by bit onto the spoon. If it rains, your seed won’t spoil. Meanwhile, the birds are enjoying the feast.
Milk Jug Bird Feeder
Those big plastic milk jugs are just perfect for turning into bird feeders. Simply cut doorways near the base of the jug, add a wire loop at the top, fill, and hang. By spending a little extra time, you can decorate your feeder so that nobody would guess it started its life as a boring plastic milk container.
Cookie Cutter Bird Feeder
Kids will enjoy this combination of craft and cookery, although mom might have to help with the hot gelatin. What you’re going to do is make bird seed cookies bonded with gelatin with the string already embedded. The cookie cutters serve as the mold, and yes, they do stay behind in the kitchen, so don’t worry about losing them to the birds.
Difficulty: Moderate
Wine Bottle Bird Feeder
Great as a gift, this professional-looking bird feeder requires access to tools, and if you don’t have suitable wood offcuts, you might have to buy the wood. All the same, for a few dollars, you can create a very attractive bird feeder. Why not make a few to sell? All your friends are going to want one.
Wine Corks Birdhouse
Have you been collecting wine corks? Now’s the time to use them! All you need is your corks and a hot glue gun. Now, build your birdhouse completely out of wine corks! Don’t forget to leave space for the door! Once the roof is on, it looks gorgeous! Now you can start collecting corks again.
License Plate Birdhouse
What if you can persuade your birds to stay right there in your garden? This fun birdhouse is easy to make – if you happen to have an old license plate lying around. If you don’t, you can always substitute wood instead. This intermediate project is suitable for older children and adults alike.
Window Bird Feeder
Window bird feeders are the greatest because you can simply stick them to the windowpane and wait for action in the comfort of your home or apartment. You’ll need some strong suction cups, wood, and a modicum of skill, but the results are super, and the birds will certainly agree that it’s a great idea.
Boots Birdhouse
An old, punctured Wellington boot or gum-boot becomes a decorative nesting box for songbirds with a bit of artistry and patience. This creative example looks just like a fairy cottage or a Disney fantasy. It may take a little longer to make than some of the ideas we found, but though the birds won’t be as impressed by the décor element as your friends and kids will be, we’re sure you’ll enjoy the project.
Tin Can Bird Feeder
If the whole family joins in, the whole bird feeder will be finished in minutes. While the adults tackle the slightly more complex tasks, the kids can start decorating the tin cans. As fab family projects go, this one is a winner. And if the cans get rusty after a while, it’s easy to refurbish your feeder.
Green Roof Birdhouse
Have you heard that green roofs with plants growing on them are the latest trend? Your green-roof birdhouse is sure to attract all the trendiest birds! It’s cheap to make, and the results are spectacular, so make a few! Homemade gifts like this one are sure to be popular with friends and loved ones.
Other Inspiring DIY Projects!
- Teapot Birdhouse
- Penny Roof BirdHouse
- Mason Jar Bird Feeder
- Orange Bird Feeder
- Paper Towel Bird Feeder
- Egg Carton Bird Feeder
- Flower Pot Bird Feeder
- 50+ Free Birdhouse and Bird Feeder Woodcraft Plans
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