How to Make a Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder

Making a toilet paper roll bird feeder is a great activity for kids of all ages. Simple and quick, it's a perfect recycled craft.

This toilet paper roll bird feeder is a simple and fun activity for the kids to do that will help our feathered friends.

The craft is perfect for kids of any age to make at home. It's also a great Cub Scout den meeting activity. 

While there isn't a requirement to make a bird feeder, having one in your yard will attract birds. Cub Scouts can watch for and identify those birds to fulfill these requirements.

Tiger Adventure – My Tiger Jungle 3:  Point out two different kinds of birds that live in your area. With your parent/guardian, other caring adult, or den, find out more about one of these birds.

Wolf Adventure – Paws on the Path 6: Name two birds, two insects, and/or two other animals that live in your area. Explain how you identified them.

Webelos & AOL Elective Adventure – Into the Wild 3:  Watch for birds in your yard, neighborhood, or area for one week. Identify the birds you see, and write down where and when you saw them.

Webelos & AOL Elective Adventure – Into the Wild 6:  Identify an insect, reptile, bird, or other wild animal that is found only in your area of the country. Tell why it survives in your area.

Supplies Needed for Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder

Toilet paper roll
Bird Seed
Shortening
Paper Plate
String or Twine
Plastic knife
Scissors

One of the most simple bird feeder crafts uses a toilet paper roll. It's perfect for even the youngest kids.

How to Make a DIY Bird Feeder From a Toilet Paper Roll

To make clean up easier, give each kid a paper plate and a plastic knife. You'll also want to have some paper towels on hand.

Spoon out a bit of shortening onto the plate, and instruct them to smear it over the cardboard tube using the plastic knife.

Set the shortening-covered roll aside.

Pour some bird seeds onto the Scouts' paper plates, and have them roll the shortening-covered cardboard in the seeds.  By firmly pressing the roll into the seeds, you'll get more of the seeds to stick.

The children can also sprinkle seeds on the areas that aren't covered completely.

Cut a piece of string or twine, and run it through the middle of the toilet paper roll. Tie the top of the string together

Hang your bird feeder from a tree branch in your yard, and watch for the birds to visit.

Don't have any string handy? Just slip the roll over a small tree limb.

Most bird feeder instructions online call for using peanut butter to make the seeds stick to it.  But if you have a Cub Scout with a peanut allergy, he or she won't be able to participate unless you make a modification.  A great substitute is solid vegetable shortening such as Crisco.

Another easy bird feeder for kids to make uses a pine cone rather than a toilet paper roller.  It's the same concept–smear shortening on the pine cone and roll it in bird seed. 

You will need to tie string, ribbon or yarn around the top of the pine cone.  While this probably looks better in your yard than a toilet paper roll, it is easier to find a roll than a cone!

In addition to this DIY bird feeder, there are many other types of feeders your kids can make. Find out about two others by clicking these links.

Soda Bottle Bird Feeder
Craft Stick Bird Feeder

Yours in Scouting,
Sherry

P.S. Check out these birdhouse plans if your Cub Scout wants to build one!