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DIY: Handmade Bird Feeder

Handmade Bird Feeder

Kids can craft a handmade bird feeder by recycling a milk carton and using a few other household supplies. Hang your feeder then wait and watch to see if you spot any birds. This activity is a great way to encourage bird watching plus a summer boredom buster rolled into one! What kind of birds will feed from the bird feeder?

Materials

  • empty milk carton
  • paint and paint brushes
  • permanent marker
  • sharpened pencil
  • small twig
  • birdseed
  • yarn or string

Directions

  1. Paint an empty milk carton a solid color and allow it to dry.
  2. Once dry, cut a rectangular opening in the top portion of the carton.
  3. Decorate the milk carton with a permanent marker. Add details like windows and a scalloped roof if you wish.
  4. Fill the carton up to the opening with birdseed.
  5. Have an adult poke a sharpened pencil into the carton just under the opening. Remove the pencil.
  6. Insert a twig into the hole you poked with the pencil. Make sure the twig is thick enough that you have to kind of force it through so it will stay-put.
  7. Poke holes in the top sides of the carton and insert a string. Tie the string at the top to form a hanger.

  1. You are all set! Hang your handmade bird feeder outside and watch and wait as the birds enjoy some birdseed!

Nate Wek is currently the sports content producer and sports and rec beat reporter for South Dakota Public Broadcasting. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism Broadcasting and a minor in Leadership. From 2010-2013 Nate was the Director of Gameday Media for the Sioux Falls Storm (Indoor Football League) football team. He also spent 2012 and 2013 as the News and Sports Director of KSDJ Radio in Brookings, SD. Nate, his wife Sarah, and three sons, Braxan, Jordy, and Anders live in Canton, SD.