This year one of my son’s achievement requirements for Cub Scouts was to make a bird feeder. Most of the feeder ideas I found online required too much prep work or required purchasing several items. I came up with this idea because I wanted something that was easy for the boys and that could be made with items I already had at home. The bird seed is secured to a kid’s cup lid with peanut butter. Since I have a seemingly endless supply of these lids, it seemed like a convenient and economical choice. Even small children will be able to make this easy DIY bird feeder.
Items required:
- plastic cup lids
- pipe cleaner
- bird seed
- peanut butter
Instructions:
- Feed pipe cleaner through the hole in the cup lid and secure it.
- Fill the cup lid with peanut butter.
- Lay the lid in the bird seed.
- Hang feeder up on a tree branch.
This project is so easy that my four year old daughter even made one. It is worth noting that some argue that bird feeders should not use peanut butter because it poses a risk to the birds. I could not find anything proving this theory. In fact, most of the information I found said that peanut butter was harmless to birds.
Have fun making these with your family!
About Janice
My daughter just made one last week out of a pinecone.
Very cool! I AM GOING TO MAKE A COUPLE
Oh, that’s cool! We’ll have to do one of those. The boys would love it.
These are a great idea. I remember making something similar when I was 7-8. I think they are a big hit among kids and adults alike, not to mention the birds are certainly appreciative. Have you tried mixing up the ingredients to see if it attracts different types of birds? I am not sure how biodiverse your particular area is, but if could lead to some more sightings.
Thanks,
Ryan
Good idea…but we don’t have a huge variety of backyard birds in my area.
I’ve ad the same thing with pinecones with my sunday school class and the kids really like it. I’d like to try the lids as it seems easier than getting the peanut butte on the pinecone
i cant wait to make this project with my little ones as we go hiking all the time and will enjoy hanging them for the animals
this is a wonderful idea , around where i live in winter food is hard to find for the birds, so we often make things to put out for the birds for winter just to help them along.. love this idea to just don’t really like using plastic for birds.. Thanks for sharing ;)@tisonlyme143
Thanks. We have a ton of the lids so it is a good way to reuse them. I have never had one break off and get swallowed by a bird.
I love that idea. Hmmm I guess I need to try that one out.
brilliant idea, very convenient for the kids.
I teach science at an elementary school in Indiana. i had the kids used toilet paper rolls, painted with corn syrup since honey is too expensive, and then rolled in the bird seed. We do this every year for Earth Day. Using recycled items and helping feed the birds. Kids love it and so do the birds!!
I am a class Mom and have to show the kids a simple craft that they can all enjoy making. I think this will be great and then we can hang them in the trees outside the school by the cafeteria and they can watch the birds feed. I think this will be fun.
Can this be done for inside birds as well? I have cockatiels – wasn’t sure if I could give them peanut butter.
I don’t know. I read that some experts say it is bad for birds, but most think it is okay. Not sure if the breed matters.
What a great and functional craft. Thank you for sharing.
So simple! And something the kids could have fun making too…they love to watch the bird that come into our yard. Good time shared together. Thanks for the idea.