As we say goodbye to the chill of winter and welcome the first green shoots of spring, nature begins to wake up. It starts with the blooming flowers, but the real sign of the season is the little ‘cheep cheep’ of baby birds around us. Isn’t that simply one of the best sounds to wake up to?
Besides the arrival of spring, there are plenty of reasons to celebrate our feathered friends right now. February is National Bird Feeding Month, and Homes for Birds Week kicks off around February 10th. Plus, with Responsible Pet Owners Month being celebrated, it is the perfect time to teach children about caring for wildlife.
With the season turning, it is only appropriate that we have a celebration of our own. We are doing it the way we know best—with creativity! Whether you want to attract real birds to your garden or just create cute decorations for the playroom, here are 15 adorable birdhouse crafts for kids to make this spring.
Why Crafting Birdhouses is Important for Kids
Before we dive into the glue and glitter, let’s talk about why this activity is so beneficial. Crafting birdhouses isn’t just about keeping little hands busy; it is a fantastic educational opportunity.
- Empathy and Nature: It teaches children that we share our environment with other creatures. Building a “home” for a bird fosters a sense of stewardship and kindness toward animals.
- Upcycling Skills: Many of these crafts utilize recycled materials like milk cartons and plastic bottles. This is a great practical lesson in recycling and seeing “trash” as “treasure.”
- STEAM Learning: Planning a structure, even a small birdhouse, involves basic engineering. Kids learn about balance, structural integrity (will the roof cave in?), and measurements.
1. The Classic Milk Carton Birdhouse
The quintessential childhood craft! Milk or juice cartons are waterproof (mostly) and the perfect shape for a bird condo.
- How to make it: Wash and dry an empty carton thoroughly. Staple the top shut. Cut a circular hole about 2 inches from the bottom on one side.
- Decoration: Paint the outside with acrylic paint. Glue on twigs for a rustic roof or use colorful buttons to make it pop. Poke a hole under the door and insert a chopstick for a perch.
2. The Popsicle Stick “Log Cabin”
This requires patience but looks amazing. It mimics the style of a log cabin and is very sturdy.
- How to make it: Lay roughly 10 popsicle sticks side-by-side to make the floor. Glue two sticks across them to hold them together. Then, start stacking sticks in a square formation, alternating corners (like Lincoln Logs). Build it up to about 5 inches high.
- The Roof: Create two flat squares of sticks and glue them in a triangle tent shape on top.
3. The Plastic Bottle “See-Through” House
A great way to upcycle 2-liter soda bottles.
- How to make it: Cut a hole in the side of a clean plastic bottle. Paint the outside, but leave a small window clear so you can potentially peek inside!
- Top Tip: The edges of cut plastic can be sharp. Use colorful duct tape or Washi tape to line the entrance hole to protect little bird feet and little kid fingers.
4. The Tin Can Bungalow
Do you have empty soup or bean cans? You have a birdhouse!
- How to make it: Remove the lid completely and ensure there are no sharp edges. Paint the outside of the can with bright, weather-resistant enamel paint.
- ** hanging:** To hang this, you glue a ribbon around the middle, or punch two holes in the back to thread a wire. These look great hanging horizontally from a tree branch.
5. The Toilet Paper Roll “Mini” Houses
Note: These are best for indoor decoration or short-term outdoor play, as cardboard dissolves in rain.
- How to make it: Paint the roll. Cut a semi-circle out of paper to make a cone roof and glue it to the top. Cut a small door in the front.
- Fun twist: Make a whole village of these and string them together to create a “Birdhouse Garland” for the fireplace mantel.
6. The Gourd Birdhouse
This is a project for older kids and requires some planning (and drying time).
- The Process: If you can find a dried bottle gourd, these make the most natural, durable birdhouses.
- Crafting: Drill a hole in the front. Let the kids paint flowers or abstract patterns on the outside. Seal it with a clear outdoor varnish. These last for years!
7. The LEGO Birdhouse
If you have a child who refuses to glue or paint, bring out the LEGO bricks.
- The Challenge: Challenge your child to build a house with a hollow center, a roof, and a perch.
- Note: If you want to put this outside, you will need to use strong glue to keep the bricks together, otherwise, a squirrel might knock it apart!
8. The Shoe Box Mansion
Have a large shoebox? Make a multi-story bird hotel!
- How to make it: Keep the lid on the box and glue it shut. Cut two or three holes in a vertical line. Create separate “perches” for each hole.
- Decor: Use roof shingles made from cut-up cereal boxes. This is a great “imaginary play” prop for stuffed animals or paper birds.
9. The Pinecone “Feeder” House
While technically a feeder, it serves the same welcoming purpose.
- How to make it: Find a large pinecone. Cover it in peanut butter (or vegetable shortening if allergies are a concern). Roll it in birdseed.
- The “House” aspect: create a small “umbrella” or roof out of a paper plate to attach to the top to protect the seeds from rain.
10. The Teacup Birdhouse
A whimsical idea for a fairy garden vibe. This requires strong adhesive (E6000), so an adult should handle the gluing.
- How to make it: Take an old teacup and saucer. Glue the saucer to the back of the cup (opposite the handle) or glue the cup on its side onto the saucer.
- Hanging: Tie a ribbon to the handle. It’s perfect for holding birdseed or nesting material.
11. The Acorn Cap Fairy House
This is a miniature craft, perfect for tiny fingers.
- How to make it: Use a small wooden bead as the “house.” Paint a tiny black circle for the door. Glue an acorn cap on top as the roof.
- Use: These are too small for real birds, but they make adorable ornaments or decorations for potted plants.
12. The Cereal Box Chalet
Similar to the milk carton but offers more surface area for decorating.
- Design: Cut the box to reshape the roof into a steep triangle.
- The Craft: Cover the box in brown paper (from a grocery bag) to give it a wood-like texture. Use markers to draw wood grain.
13. The Stone-Covered Birdhouse
Take a simple wooden birdhouse kit (available at craft stores) and give it a “stone cottage” look.
- How to make it: Collect small, flat pebbles from the driveway or garden. Use strong glue to cover the exterior walls of the wooden house with stones. Use moss for the roof. It looks like a magical cottage!
14. The Fabric Scrap House (Indoor Only)
A soft, sensory craft for toddlers.
- How to make it: Use a cardboard base. Instead of paint, let kids glue scraps of colorful fabric, felt, and yarn all over the box. It creates a cozy, patchwork look that adds warmth to a bedroom shelf.
15. The “License Plate” Roof House
If you have an old wooden birdhouse that is falling apart, revamp it!
- The Hack: Bend an old (clean) license plate or a piece of flexible tin over the top to act as a waterproof roof. It adds a cool, rustic, industrial vibe that older kids and teens might appreciate.
Important Tips for “Real” Birdhouses
If you intend to put these crafts outside for actual birds to use, please keep these safety tips in mind:
- Avoid Bright Colors: While kids love neon paint, predators do too. Bright colors can attract cats or hawks. If the house is for function, stick to earth tones (greens, browns, grays). If it is for decoration, go wild!
- No Perches Needed: Surprisingly, real birdhouses shouldn’t have perches. Perches allow predators (like weasels or larger birds) to sit and reach in to steal eggs. The hole is enough for the bird.
- Ventilation is Key: If you are using plastic or metal, drill a few small holes in the bottom for drainage and near the top for air flow so the baby birds don’t overheat.
- The Right Hole Size: Different birds need different door sizes. A 1.5-inch hole is standard for bluebirds or wrens.
Conclusion
Spring is a time of renewal and growth, making it the perfect season to engage with nature. These 15 birdhouse crafts offer a range of difficulty levels, from simple painting projects for toddlers to structural engineering challenges for older kids.
By using materials like cardboard, bottles, and popsicle sticks, you are teaching your children that they have the power to create something beautiful and useful with their own hands. So, clear off the kitchen table, spread out the newspapers, and get ready to welcome the birds back to your neighborhood in style!
