10 DIY Bird Feeder for Kids: Easy Weekend Projects

DIY bird feeders for kids are simple, fun weekend projects that help children make safe homemade feeders using pine cones, cardboard tubes, fruit, cartons, and birdseed. The first time I made a bird feeder with kids, I thought it would be a calm little backyard project.

It was not.

There was birdseed on the table, peanut butter on someone’s sleeve, string stuck to the scissors, and one very serious argument about who got to hang the feeder on the “best” branch.

But later that afternoon, when the first chickadee landed on the feeder, everything changed. The kids went quiet, pressed their faces near the window, and suddenly the messy craft table felt completely worth it.

Quick answer

DIY bird feeders for kids are simple weekend projects made from safe household items like pine cones, cardboard tubes, orange halves, milk cartons, plastic bottles, egg cartons, and teacups. The best projects are easy to build, safe for children with adult help, simple to clean, and useful for birds. Use good birdseed, hang feeders near cover but away from pets and squirrels, and remove wet or old food.

That is what I like about DIY bird feeders for kids. They are simple, affordable, and they give kids a reason to slow down and notice the birds around them. You do not need fancy tools or expensive supplies. Most of the time, you can make a decent feeder from things already sitting in your kitchen, recycling bin, or backyard.

The trick is choosing projects that are safe, easy to clean up, and actually useful for birds.

Before You Start: Keep It Simple and Safe

With kids, the best bird feeder projects are the ones that do not require complicated tools.

A little mess is fine. A dangerous craft setup is not.

For younger kids, I would avoid sharp cutting, hot glue, wire edges, and anything that needs a drill. If a project needs holes cut into plastic or cardboard, let an adult do that part first.

A few basic supplies are enough:

• Birdseed
• Sunflower hearts
• String or twine
• Pine cones
• Cardboard tubes
• Oranges or apples
• Empty milk cartons
• Plastic bottles
• A spoon or craft stick
• Child-safe scissors
• A baking tray or newspaper for cleanup

If you use peanut butter, check for allergies first. If peanut butter is not a good option, vegetable shortening can work for some simple seed-coating projects.

Also, avoid using honey as glue. It can be sticky, messy, and not the best choice for birds. Bread is another one I skip because it does not offer much nutrition and can get soggy fast outside.

Here are the easiest and simple DIY Bird Feeder for Kids

1. Pine Cone Bird Feeder

This is the classic project for a reason.

It is easy, cheap, and kids enjoy making it. It also looks natural hanging from a tree.

What you need

• A large pine cone
• Peanut butter or vegetable shortening
• Birdseed
• String or twine
• A plate or tray

How to make it

Tie string around the top of the pine cone before adding anything sticky. This is much easier than trying to tie it afterward.

Spread peanut butter or shortening into the pine cone using a spoon or craft stick. Then roll the pine cone in birdseed until it is covered.

Hang it from a branch where you can see it from a window.

What I learned

Do not hang it too close to the house if you have squirrels. They will find it quickly.

Also, do not make ten of these at once unless you have plenty of good hanging spots. One or two is enough for a small yard.

This feeder usually attracts chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and sometimes woodpeckers.

2. Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder

This one is great when you want a quick project with almost no prep.

It works best for younger kids because there is no cutting required.

What you need

• Empty toilet paper roll
• Peanut butter or shortening
• Birdseed
• String
• Tray or plate

How to make it

Spread peanut butter or shortening around the outside of the cardboard tube.

Roll it in birdseed.

Thread string through the tube and tie it to a branch.

You can also slide the tube directly onto a small branch instead of hanging it.

Real-life tip

Do not put this feeder out right before heavy rain. Cardboard gets soggy fast.

This is better as a dry-weather feeder or a short weekend project.

3. Orange Half Bird Feeder

This is one of my favorite kid-friendly feeders because it looks bright and natural.

It is especially fun in spring or summer when fruit-loving birds are more active.

What you need

• One orange
• String or twine
• A spoon
• Birdseed or fruit pieces

How to make it

Cut the orange in half. An adult should do this part.

Scoop out most of the fruit, leaving the peel like a little bowl.

Poke small holes around the rim and tie string through the holes so the orange half can hang like a basket.

Fill it with a small amount of birdseed or fruit pieces.

What birds may visit

You may see orioles, catbirds, mockingbirds, or other fruit-loving birds depending on where you live.

If birds do not visit right away, do not worry. Fruit feeders can take time, and some yards simply do not have the right birds nearby.

4. Milk Carton Bird Feeder

An empty milk carton can turn into a surprisingly sturdy feeder.

This is a nice project for older kids because they can decorate the outside after an adult cuts the openings.

What you need

• Empty milk carton
• Child-safe paint or markers
• String
• Birdseed
• Scissors or craft knife for adult use
• Wooden dowel or stick

How to make it

Wash and dry the carton completely.

An adult should cut a window opening on one or two sides.

Poke a small hole under the opening and slide a wooden dowel through as a perch.

Add string at the top for hanging.

Let kids decorate the carton before adding seed

Mistake to avoid

Do not make the window too large. If the opening is huge, seed spills out easily and bigger birds may take over.

Keep the opening medium-sized and do not overfill the carton.

5. Plastic Bottle Bird Feeder

This one can work well, but it needs adult help.

Plastic can be sharp after cutting, so smooth edges matter.

What you need

• Empty plastic bottle
• Wooden spoons or dowels
• Birdseed
• String
• Scissors or craft knife for adult use

How to make it

An adult cuts small holes on opposite sides of the bottle.

Push a wooden spoon through the holes so one side becomes a perch and the spoon bowl catches seed.

Add another spoon lower down if the bottle is large.

Fill with seed and hang it from a branch or hook.

Better seed choice

Use sunflower hearts or a clean seed blend. Cheap mixed seed can spill and make the feeder messy fast.

My honest take

Kids love making this one, but it is not always the cleanest feeder. If the holes are too big, seed pours out. Start with smaller openings and adjust if needed.

6. Apple Slice Feeder

This is a very simple project and feels more like a nature snack station than a regular feeder.

What you need

• Apple slices
• String
• A blunt yarn needle for older kids, optional
• Birdseed, optional

How to make it

Slice an apple into thick rings or wedges.

Poke a hole near the top of each slice.

Thread string through and hang the slices from a branch.

You can also press a little birdseed onto the apple if you want, but plain apple works fine.

Where it works best

This is better in a quiet yard where birds already visit. If you have never fed birds before, it may take longer for them to notice.

Remove old fruit before it gets mushy or moldy.

7. Muffin Tin Bird Feeder Tray

This is a fun temporary feeder, especially if you want kids to observe which foods birds choose first.

What you need

• Old muffin tin
• Small amounts of bird food
• Sunflower hearts
• Safflower seed
• Nyjer seed
• Shelled peanuts
• Fruit pieces

How to use it

Place small amounts of different bird foods in each muffin cup.

Set the tray on a stable outdoor table or platform where you can watch from inside.

Let kids observe which food disappears first.

Make it educational

Use the Merlin Bird ID app or eBird to help identify birds that visit. Kids can also keep a simple notebook and write down bird colors, size, and behavior.

This turns a basic feeder into a small weekend science project.

Important tip

Do not leave the tray outside overnight. Open food can attract squirrels, raccoons, mice, and other visitors.

8. Egg Carton Bird Feeder

An egg carton feeder is easy, but it works best as a short-term project.

What you need

• Paper egg carton
• String
• Birdseed
• Scissors
• Hole punch, optional

How to make it

Cut the lid off the egg carton.

Punch holes in the corners and tie string through them so it hangs level.

Add small amounts of seed into each cup.

Hang it from a low branch or place it on a stable surface.

What to know

Paper egg cartons are not weatherproof. They can sag when wet.

Use this feeder on a dry day and remove it before rain.

It is not a long-term feeder, but for a weekend kids’ project, it works nicely.

9. Cheerful Garland Feeder

Some people make bird garlands with cereal, popcorn, or fruit. I prefer keeping it simple and using bird-friendly options.

Better options

• Unsalted plain popcorn
• Fresh cranberries
• Apple pieces
• Orange slices

What you need

• String
• Blunt needle for older kids
• Fruit pieces or plain popcorn

How to make it

Thread the food pieces onto the string.

Hang the garland between two branches or along a shrub.

Safety note

This project is better for older kids because threading requires patience. Keep string short and secure so it does not tangle around birds.

Remove the garland once the food gets old.

10. Simple Teacup Feeder

This one is better for older kids or family crafting because it can break if dropped.

What you need

• Old teacup and saucer
• Strong outdoor-safe glue
• Birdseed
• String or a stable post mount

How to make it

Glue the cup sideways onto the saucer so seed can spill gently from the cup into the saucer.

Let it dry fully according to the glue instructions.

Place it in a safe, stable spot.

My warning

This is cute, but it is not the best project for very young kids. Broken ceramic can be sharp.

Use it only if an adult handles the gluing and placement.

Best Birdseed for Kids’ DIY Feeders

The food matters more than the craft.

Cheap seed mixes often contain filler seeds birds ignore. Kids may feel disappointed if birds do not visit, but sometimes the problem is just the seed.

Good options include:

• Sunflower hearts
• Black oil sunflower seed
• Safflower seed
• Nyjer seed for finch feeders
• Shelled peanuts in small amounts
• Suet for woodpeckers and nuthatches

For most kids’ projects, sunflower hearts are my favorite. Birds like them, and they do not leave shell piles everywhere.

If you use regular sunflower seeds, expect some mess under the feeder.

Where to Hang DIY Bird Feeders

Placement can decide whether the feeder gets visitors or sits untouched.

Try hanging feeders:

• Near shrubs or small trees
• A few feet from cover
• Where kids can watch from a window
• Away from busy walkways
• Away from outdoor eating areas
• High enough to feel safe from pets

Avoid placing feeders where seed will fall onto a neighbor’s balcony, patio furniture, or delicate flower beds.

If squirrels are a problem, hang the feeder away from easy jumping points like fences and low branches.

How to Make It More Fun for Kids

The best part of this project is not just making the feeder. It is watching what happens afterward.

A few easy ideas:

• Let kids name the feeder
• Keep a birdwatching notebook
• Draw the birds that visit
• Use Merlin Bird ID to identify songs and birds
• Take photos from inside the window
• Refill the feeder together once birds start visiting

One thing I have noticed is that kids get more excited when they have a “job.” One child can be in charge of checking seed. Another can watch for birds. Another can keep notes.

It turns a craft into a small backyard routine.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using too much seed

More seed does not always mean more birds. It often means more waste.

Start small and refill when needed.

Hanging feeders too low

Low feeders can be easy for pets, squirrels, and other animals to reach.

Keep them in a safe spot.

Leaving wet feeders outside

Wet seed can get moldy. Cardboard feeders can fall apart.

Check feeders after rain.

Using unsafe materials

Avoid sharp wire, loose plastic pieces, toxic paint, glitter, and strong chemicals.

Bird feeders should be fun, but they also need to be safe.

Expecting birds immediately

Sometimes birds find a feeder in a few hours. Sometimes it takes days.

That is normal.

The first bird to visit is usually the most exciting one.

Letting kids handle everything alone

Adult supervision matters, especially with cutting, tying, hanging, and cleaning.

Kids can do a lot, but some steps should stay with adults.

Adult supervision matters, especially with cutting, tying, hanging, and cleaning.

Simple Weekend Plan

If you want an easy weekend plan, here is what I would do.

On Saturday morning, make one pine cone feeder and one toilet paper roll feeder.

Hang them near a window where kids can watch.

Use sunflower hearts or a good small-bird seed mix.

On Sunday, check what happened.

Did birds visit? Did squirrels find it first? Did the feeder stay dry? Did seed fall everywhere?

That little review teaches kids more than a perfect craft ever could.

Then next weekend, try a milk carton feeder or orange half feeder.

One project at a time keeps it fun instead of overwhelming.

Final Thoughts

DIY bird feeders for kids do not need to be perfect.

Actually, the imperfect ones are usually the most memorable.

A pine cone covered in seed, a slightly crooked milk carton feeder, or an orange peel basket hanging from a branch can teach kids patience, observation, and care for backyard wildlife.

The main thing is to keep the project safe, simple, and bird-friendly.

Use decent seed. Hang the feeder in a smart spot. Clean up old food. Watch from a distance. Let the kids enjoy the surprise of seeing real birds use something they made with their own hands.

That moment is the part they remember.