Birds bring color, music, and joy to our outdoor spaces. Making your own bird feeders is a fun way to attract these feathered friends while recycling everyday items you might otherwise throw away.
From pine cones to tea cups, these simple projects require minimal supplies and can be completed in just an afternoon – perfect for families looking to connect with nature right in their own backyard.
1. Pine Cone Feeder
Kids absolutely love making these natural treats! Gather pine cones from your yard, tie string around the top, and coat them with peanut butter using a butter knife.
Roll your sticky pine cone in birdseed until completely covered. The tiny spaces between the pine cone scales hold seeds perfectly. Hang from tree branches at different heights to attract various bird species.
2. Recycled Milk Carton Café
Transform yesterday’s milk carton into tomorrow’s bird hangout! Rinse thoroughly and cut a large opening on one side, leaving about an inch border at the bottom to hold seeds.
Poke a small hole near the top for hanging string. Decorate with non-toxic paint or contact paper in bright colors. Fill with your favorite birdseed mix and watch as feathered customers flock to your homemade restaurant.
3. Orange Cup Feeders
After enjoying a juicy orange, save the peels for this clever feeder! Cut oranges in half, scoop out the fruit (perfect for a snack while crafting), and poke three small holes around the rim.
Thread string through these holes, meeting at the top to form a hanging basket. Fill with seeds or nectar depending on which birds you hope to attract. The bright orange color naturally catches birds’ attention while adding a pop of color to your trees.
4. Teacup Treasure
Vintage teacups from thrift stores make charming feeders with Victorian flair! Find a pretty cup and saucer set – chipped ones work fine and cost less.
Use waterproof glue to secure the cup sideways on the saucer, creating a pouring effect. Once dry, attach fishing line to hang it. Fill the saucer portion with seeds, and watch as birds perch delicately on your fancy china feeder.
5. Popsicle Stick Platform
Save those popsicle sticks from summer treats! Arrange them side by side and glue to form a flat platform. Add raised edges by gluing sticks vertically around the perimeter.
Create a roof by gluing sticks in an upside-down V shape. This open platform design attracts larger birds like cardinals and blue jays who prefer space to land and feed. Hang with strong twine from a sturdy branch or shepherd’s hook.
6. Bottle Feeder Bonanza
Plastic bottles become bird buffets with just a few cuts! Clean a 2-liter soda bottle and remove labels. Cut feeding holes about 2 inches above the bottom using scissors or a craft knife.
Push wooden spoons or dowels through opposite sides to create perches beneath each hole. Fill with seed, replace the cap, and hang horizontally. The clear plastic lets you easily monitor seed levels, while the cap keeps everything dry during rain showers.
7. Cookie Cutter Seed Shapes
Surprise birds with seed treats in fun shapes! Mix 3/4 cup birdseed with 1/4 cup flour and 3 tablespoons of water. Add 1 tablespoon of corn syrup for extra binding power.
Press this sticky mixture into cookie cutters placed on parchment paper. Make a hole at the top with a straw before drying. Let harden overnight, then carefully remove from molds. Thread with twine and hang these decorative seed ornaments throughout your yard.
8. Coconut Shell Swing
Turn tropical fruit into a natural feeding station! After enjoying the coconut meat, save the empty half-shell. Drill three evenly spaced holes near the rim and thread weatherproof cord through each.
Knot the cords underneath, then bring them together at the top to hang. Fill with a mix of seeds, suet, and fruit pieces. The natural bowl shape holds plenty of food while providing birds with a comfortable dining experience reminiscent of their natural habitat.
9. Lego Block Dispenser
Got extra building blocks? Create a colorful gravity-fed bird feeder! Assemble a rectangular box using flat base pieces and building blocks, leaving small gaps between some blocks for seed to flow through.
Add a funnel-shaped top to pour in seed and a small tray at the bottom where seeds collect for easy bird access. The bright colors attract birds, and you can reconfigure your design whenever you want. Kids especially love watching their creation become a bird magnet!
10. Mason Jar Seed Server
Repurpose a mason jar into a charming feeder with farmhouse appeal! Attach a small chicken feeder base (found at farm supply stores) or a shallow dish to the jar lid using strong glue.
Fill the jar with seeds, then screw on the lid/dish assembly. Flip it over so seeds gradually fill the dish as birds eat. Wrap wire around the jar’s neck for hanging. The glass jar showcases colorful seeds while protecting them from weather.