DLTK's Crafts for Kids
Popsicle Stick Bird Feeder Craft

I absolutely adore popsicle stick crafts because they are fun to make, the materials are relatively inexpensive, and you can decorate popsicle sticks in so many different ways.

This craft uses popsicle sticks and a recycled milk carton to make a wonderful bird feeder. You can use all of your creative skills and decorate your bird feeder however you want. Also, you can place it on a surface or dangle it from a tree.

Fill the bottom of the bird feeder and watch as a ton of adorable feathered-friends come to visit!

Materials:

• milk cartons,
• popsicle sticks,
• bird seed,
• glue (hot glue is fastest but school glue will work with a bit of patience),
• scissors
• marker,
• OPTIONAL: wool or string

Instructions:

• Cut a square or rectangle out of each side of a recycled milk carton.
  • TIP: Use a traceable object and marker to trace the same size rectangle on each side.
  • TIP: Make sure to tape up the top of the carton or remove any nozzles that are attached to the top of the milk carton you are using.
  • TIP: Cardboard milk cartons are best because they are a nice rectangular shape. They also come in all sorts of sizes depending on your wishes or if you want a variety of bird feeders.
• Begin covering the milk carton with popsicle sticks using some glue.
  • TIP: Using hot glue will be faster and slightly more secure but if you have the patience to use school glue, it is much more young child friendly!
• Continue to cover the milk carton until it is completely covered.
  • You can trim the popsicle sticks to the right side if you need, but I like to cover it so that the popsicle sticks could remain whole.
• Now for the super duper fun part... Decorate your bird feeder!
  • You can use all sorts of materials like markers, paint, varnish, etc.
  • Get as creative as you want with this. I painted mine simply with my favourite colour, but you could try all sorts of designs or multiple colours or even finger painting!
• You can leave the craft here, fill it with bird seed and place it on a surface outside,. However, try to weigh it down so that it isn't knocked over when birds land on it.
• You can also hang it up in a tree if you hook a piece of wool underneath the top of the milk carton and wrap it around the top to tie a loop.
  • TIP: Make sure to cut a string long enough that when you tie the loop there is plenty of room for the bird feeder to fit around a tree branch.
  • TIP: If it is a particularly large branch you can also tie the loop directly around the branch.

Print friendly version of these instructions