MILK CARTON BIRDHOUSE + BIRD FEEDER
Supplies:
- Clean and Dry Recycled Milk or Juice Carton
- White Paint
- Sheet of Chipboard or Recycled Cardboard
- School Glue
- Foam Paint Brush
- Tissue Paper Squares in Assorted Colors
- Twine
- Wooden Spoon
- X-Acto Knife (if needed, parental use only)
- Mod Podge or Spray Sealer (optional)
How To: To create our milk carton birdhouses, I started by giving the recycled milk and juice cartons a light coat of white spray paint so that the package lettering wouldn’t bleed and show through the tissue paper. Have the children coat the sides of the carton with school glue and apply the tissue paper squares in any arrangement that they’d like. After your child is done applying the tissue, gently brush the tissue squares with the sponge brush to ensure that all the edges are glued down and secure. Allow to dry.
To create the roof, fold a piece of chipboard (or recycled cardboard) in half widthwise. Cover the chipboard with glue and tissue paper squares. Set aside and let dry. If necessary, remove the plastic pouring spout with an X-Acto knife (adults only!). You can also cut off any excess cardboard from the “roof ridge” if desired.
Cut an opening for the door – if you would like to make a birdhouse, use a smaller sized opening; for a bird feeder, cut a large rectangular opening. About an inch below the door, use the X-Acto knife to cut two small slits in an “X” shape and insert the handle of a wooden spoon to create your perch. Before you push it all the way to the back of the carton, add a generous dab of glue to securely attach the end of the spoon to the interior back of the carton.
On your roof piece, cut two small slits about 2″ apart, and thread through the ends of your twine. Tie a knot securely on the underneath side so it won’t show. Using the school glue (or hot glue if you don’t want to wait for school glue to dry!), attach the roof to your carton. Give the milk carton birdhouses a couple of coats of outdoor Mod Podge or spray varnish, and hang them up outside. If you made a bird feeder, fill the bottom up with bird seed, hang from a tree, and wait for your feathered friends to discover it.
