This summer, the Garden’s Planet Protectors Summer Camp offers fun opportunities for children to explore nature, create desert-inspired arts and crafts projects, play with friends and learn to take care of the environment.
You can register for Planet Protectors Summer Camp here!
Try this Birdfeeder Craft Activity, for example. You can keep plastic water bottles out of the landfill while enjoying a fun family project. Birds will flock to your neighborhood in no time!
ACTIVITY:
One of the best things we can do for the Earth is to reuse things before they go to recycling or to the landfill. Take an empty soda or water bottle for example – you drank all the water already – what can you do with it now? Let’s “feed two birds with one scone” and make a bird feeder from a plastic water bottle!
MATERIALS:
- Plastic bottle (two-liter or similar)
- Twine, string or wire
- 1 set of chopsticks or similar 8” long stick
- Scissors – Or use a sharp pin or small knife to poke holes
- Birdseed
DIRECTIONS:
- Help your child clean the bottle and remove any labels. Let the inside dry.
- Use scissors or a small knife to poke two small holes about 2 inches below the mouth of the bottle, on opposite sides (PIC). Widen them slightly so the string or wire can pass through easily. Remind your child to be very careful when using scissors or a knife – set expectations with your child about safety while you are making the holes.
3. Pass the string, twine or wire through both holes and make a loop that is long enough to hang your feeder when you are finished.
4. Now, set your bottle upright and poke two small holes across from each other, about 1 inch above the bottom of the bottle.
5. Have your child pass one chopstick or similar stick through these two holes – it should stick out 2-3 inches on either side of the bottle. This is where your birds will perch while they are eating.
6. Using your scissors, cut two small feeding holes in the bottle several inches above each perch. Each hole should be about the size of a nickel. Make sure the edges of your hole are smooth and round—sharp plastic can cut you, and it can hurt any birds who may be feeding!
7. Create a second set of perches. Repeat steps 4-6 about 1” above the holes you just made. The second set of holes should be set at a 90° angle from the first set you created—when inserted, the sticks should form an X when looking at the bottle from above.
8. Now, fill your bird feeder up with bird seed! Do some research with your child to find the best seed for birds in your area—or the type of seed you should use to attract your favorite birds! You can buy seed at almost any grocery store, pet store, or find it online.
TIP: If you are having trouble filling the bottle, use a piece of paper to make a funnel that fits in the mouth of your bottle. Have your child hold the funnel while you pour in the seed.
Hang it up in an outdoor area you can keep an eye on, and watch the birds come flocking!
As with any bird feeder, you should clean it with warm soapy water every few weeks to prevent unhealthy bacteria. If it needs to be replaced, you can rinse it out and recycle the materials and create a new bird feeder in no time!
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