Make a bird feeder

You need:

  • Scissors
  • String
  • An empty plastic milk bottle or plastic drink bottle with its top
  • Bird seeds or nuts
Click pictures to make bigger

Feed the birds in your garden with this bird feeder. It is made from things you would normally throw away.

Safety tips:

  • Ask an adult to help you with your bird feeder.
  • You must be very careful when you are using knives or scissors.
  • Don’t make the feeder if you are allergic to nuts.

How to do it:

  1. Make sure your plastic bottles are clean and dry before you start.
  2. With the help of an adult, cut a hole in the side of your bottle, near the bottom. This is where the birds will eat the seeds from. The hole needs to be large enough so that the birds will be able to reach the seeds, but not so large that the seeds or nuts will fall out if it is windy.
  3. Make two or three small holes in the bottom of the feeder so that if any water gets in, it can drain away.
  4. Tie a piece of string about 40 centimetres long around the top of the bottle. You may like to use two pieces of string so that the bottle does not hang at an angle.
  5. Pour some bird seeds or nuts into the bottle, so that it is about half full. Put the lid back on. Be careful not to spill any seeds!
  6. Hang your feeder on a washing line, or a tree. You will need to tie the two ends of the string tightly together in a knot, to make sure that the feeder does not fall down when birds come to eat from it!

Age range: 6 – 12

This activity helps to develop manual coordination in children, as well as encouraging a positive attitude towards the environment. Children recycle household items that would usually be thrown away, making a garden accessory which will help promote wildlife in the local area.

Safety considerations

Always supervise children when using scissors or knives.

If your child has a nut allergy, do not allow them to handle the bird seeds or nuts.