Spring 2025 has officially sprung! That means sunshine, warmer weather, flowers blooming, and of course, birds chirping! This week for STEAM Saturday project, your child will explore biology, engineering, and art while creating a homemade Bird Feeder!
This simple and fun activity can be done with items that may already be in your home! Here’s what you’ll need:
- A gallon milk jug (make sure it is empty, clean, and dry)
- Scissors
- String (this should be fairly strong)
- Markers or paint
- Bird food (you’ll need to do some research to find out what kind to get)
- Popsicle sticks (optional)
Before making your bird feeder, it’s important to determine what kind of food you’ll need to get. Use your smart phone or computer to hop on the internet and discover what kinds of birds live in your local habitat, and what they eat. The Department of Natural Resources website is a great place to start!
Once you know who you’re feeding and you have the correct bird seed, it’s time to make your bird feeder! First, use your scissors to cut two large holes on the flat sides of your milk jug, making the bottoms of your holes flat. You may need to help with this part for safety purposes.
Next, let your little one decorate his or her bird feeder with markers or paint. A colorful feeder just might attract more feathered friends for you to observe!
If you want to add a ledge for your birds to perch on, glue popsicle sticks along the bottom flat edge of the feeder’s entrance holes. Next, poke 2 holes in the top of your jug on either side of the pour spout. Thread your string through the holes and tie a knot.
Now it’s time to add your bird seed, hang your feeder outside, and wait! Keep a pen and paper next to the window. See if you can identify the birds that come to visit your feeder. Write down what types of birds you see, what they look like, how long they stay, and anything else about them that makes them unique!
Check out the full project, plus another bird feeder building method, from Engineering Emily here!
As always, be as creative as you want, and above all, have lots of fun learning together!
We’ll see you right back here next Saturday for another STEAM Saturday activity! Scroll through the rest of our website to learn how Critchlow Adkins is Building Brighter Futures for the children and families we serve!
