DIY Bird Feeder
Peanut butter, seed and a toilet roll tube make a bird feeder that hangs outside within the hour.
By WonderCraft Kids Editorial Team, Editorial team · Updated 3 September 2026
This short, sticky project creates a simple bird feeder for a garden or balcony. Spreading the coating and rolling it in seed is followed by hanging the feeder and watching to see whether local birds visit.
What you need
- 1 empty toilet roll or kitchen roll tube
- Smooth peanut butter or sunflower seed butter
- A butter knife or lolly stick for spreading
- A shallow tray of bird seed
- String or wool, about 30 cm
- Scissors (adult use)
Step by step
- 1
Check the tube is dry and free of any leftover cardboard glue or foil.
- 2
Spread a thick, even layer of peanut butter over the whole outside of the tube.
- 3
Roll the sticky tube in the tray of seed, pressing gently so it coats well.
- 4
Thread string through the tube and knot it into a loop for hanging.
- 5
Hang the feeder from a tree branch or hook well away from cats' reach.
- 6
Check back over the next few days to see what visits, and refill once the seed runs out.
What kids learn
Care for wildlife
Making food for birds gives children an early, concrete idea of looking after another creature's needs.
Fine motor skills
Spreading and rolling the sticky tube works the same hand muscles used later for buttering toast or writing.
Patient observation
Waiting to see which birds visit can help children practise quiet watching instead of expecting instant results.
Make it easier
Skip the spreading step and let your child simply dip the tube into a tray of seed already coated by an adult with a thin layer of peanut butter.
Make it more challenging
Ask your child to look up two birds likely to visit your area and note down which ones they actually see over the following week.
Safety and supervision
- Check for peanut allergies in your household or visiting children before using peanut butter, and use sunflower seed butter instead if needed.
- This is for feeding birds, not for eating — remind children the mixture is not a snack.
- Hang feeders somewhere household pets cannot easily reach.
Adult supervision is required for every activity on this site. Read our full child safety guidelines.
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wondercraftkids.com
DIY Bird Feeder from a Cardboard Tube
Ages 3-7 · 15 min · some mess
Ages 3–7 · Some mess
Suggested pin description
DIY Bird Feeder from a Cardboard Tube: Peanut butter, seed and a toilet roll tube make a bird feeder that hangs outside within the hour. Ages 3–7, 20 minutes total, some mess. Full step-by-step instructions and a materials list at WonderCraft Kids.
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Frequently asked questions
How long will the feeder last outside?+
A cardboard tube feeder typically lasts a few days to a week before it needs refilling or replacing, especially in wet weather.
What if no birds come straight away?+
It can take a few days for local birds to find a new feeder. Keep it topped up and check at different times of day.
