Building a bird house with your child can be an educational and fun project. You have the ability to create a house that any bird would be proud to call home. There are many everyday household objects that you can turn into a perfectly suitable little nest container.
You and your child will need to do a little research to determine what species of birds live in your area and which ones you want to attract to your backyard. This will help you determine the dimensions of your bird house. Each species will have different needs and preferences, such as the size of the entrance hole, the height to place the bird house and even whether to have a perch. You need to follow these specifications when you build your bird house as most birds tend to be very fussy about their nesting areas.
The simplest bird house to build with your child is made from a milk carton. Start by thoroughly rinsing and drying a half gallon waxed cardboard milk carton and stapling the top shut. Wrap the entire carton with wide strips of masking tape, making sure to cover all the small fold areas at the top. Use a brown crayon or marker to color the tape, making it resemble tree bark.
Make an entrance hole in the side of the carton for a doorway, keeping in mind the size for the bird you want to attract. Also make several holes in the bottom of the carton so any water can drain out. Place another hole in the very top of the carton and add some sturdy string or wire to hang your new bird house creation in a tree.
Nature's Own Bird House
Another easy bird house is made from a dried gourd. These are especially fun for children because gourds come in all sorts of strange shapes and sizes and make the most unique looking bird houses. You can usually find gourds at your local grocery store or farmers' market. Thoroughly wash the outside and dip your gourd in a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water to help prevent mold and rot.
Drill a small hole in the neck and hang the gourd by a wire in well ventilated area to dry. This can take about four to six weeks depending on size and drying conditions. You will know the gourd is dry when you hear the seeds rattling inside.
Drill a 2 inch hole in the gourd and remove the seeds. Clean the inside of any dried fibers. Drill two or three small holes in the bottom for drainage.Apply two coats satin finish polyurethane to protect your new bird house and hang in a sheltered area where the gourd will blend in with its background.
There are so many found and recycled items that you and your child can use to build a bird house. Anything that can hold a nest and provide shelter and security for a bird can be made into a great little bird house. Building bird houses with your child can provide a sense of accomplishment and help instill a better understanding of nature. And what better way to spend some quality time together than building a nursery for the next generation of our little feathered friends!
