5 Easy Homemade Bird Feeders

I’m really wanting to get back to doing more learning through play activities with the littles this year. I enjoy getting that quality time with them, whilst they’re learning new everyday skills.   In this post, I have included 5 easy homemade bird feeders that we have made recently, in the past and hope to make soon!

Each activity has the same learning outcome of developing an understanding that our birds and wildlife need to be cared for, especially in Winter months.  There are different bird feeders to choose from depending on age / ability and choice. You will also find that making these feeders will tick extra learning outcomes such as fine motor skills, communication and listening skills.  So I hope that there is a bird feeder that is suitable for you to make at home or in a childcare setting to get the birds looked after in the cold Winter months.

Peanut Butter & Bird Seed Toilet Roll Feeder

Have two large plates one smeared in peanut butter and the other coated in bird seed.  Then place your leftover cardboard toilet roll onto the peanut butter plate and roll until the outside is all covered in peanut butter.  You may need to smear some on with a knife if you’ve been left with any patches.

Then roll the toilet roll covered in peanut butter around the birdseed plate.  Your child can also sprinkle the food on top of the toilet roll.

Then your child or yourself can thread some wool or string through the toilet roll and then make a loop at the top to hang over tree branches. Of a child does the threading it’s practicing those fine motor skills.

If you or your child have a peanut allergy then use honey as the natural glue and check the birdseed ingredients, as a precaution for any allergic reactions.

Cheerio Homemade Bird Feeder

For this activity we used a pipe cleaner and some cheerio cereal.  Place a kink in the end of the pipe cleaner or a knot to stop the Cheerios falling off.  The child is then able to simply thread the cheerios onto the pipe cleaner, perfecting those fine motor skills.  My two little ones really enjoyed this as a threading activity.  Such a simple homemade bird feeder to produce.

Valentines Ornament Homemade Bird Feeder

This was an activity that we did for Valentine’s gifts.   You could easily do this with other cutters and make other seasonal bird feeder ornaments.  The recipe for this bird feeder can be found here.

Pumpkin / Orange Bird Feeder

Back in Autumn we carved and hollowed a small pumpkin into a bird feeder.  We made holes into the side of the pumpkin and put string through to hang off the branches. Its a great activity for your child to scoop out the outsides and then fill up the inside of the pumpkin with bird seed.

I have also seen some lovely orange bird feeders on pinterest that we look forward to making using oranges, wooden skewers and string.  One for when we have a glut of oranges going spare in the house.

Milk Carton Bird Feeder

This is one for families who get their milk in cartons.  This handy video tutorial demonstrates how you can make a Milk carton bird feeder.