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Gardening is a wonderful way to spend time outdoors, and involving kids in a DIY bird bath project can be both educational and fun.

Not only do you get to enjoy a hands-on activity, but you also help attract birds to your garden, turning your yard into a lively and beautiful sanctuary. Making a homemade bird bath is a lesson on how we don’t necessarily need to go with store bought, and can easily create our own solutions at home.

diy bird bath to make with kids in the garden

Bird baths are essential as they provide birds with a place to keep their feathers clean, enabling them to fly, stay warm, and remain waterproof.

This blog post will guide you through building a bird bath with items you can easily find around the house or at a thrift store.

The tutorial is from the book Bird, Bee and Bug Houses illustrated by Esther Coombs, written by Susie Behar, which we will share more about after showing you how to build your own diy bird baths..

How to Build a Simple Birdbath with Kids

Birds need to keep their feathers in tip-top shape. They need clean feathers so they can fly, keep warm and remain waterproof. This means that birds need to regularly remove dirt and parasites by having a bath.

In the wild, birds bathe in puddles or ponds. In dry conditions or when it’s freezing and ponds are ice-covered, this isn’t always possible. You can help them by providing a small home-made birdbath in your garden.

For this DIY bird bath project, you’ll need just a few easy-to-find materials. Grab a shallow bowl, such as an upturned dustbin lid or a large circular plant tray. Gather some stones or gravel, and have four bricks ready. Finally, fill the bowl with rainwater or tap water. These simple materials will help you create a beautiful bird bath that your kids will love to make and birds will enjoy using.

How to Make a DIY Bird Bath

Yield: 1

Transform your garden into a bird paradise with this simple DIY bird bath! Using everyday items and a bit of creativity, you and your kids can create a beautiful, functional bird bath that will attract birds and bring joy to your outdoor space.

Perfect for small spaces and a great way to teach kids about nature and upcycling!

Materials

•A shallow bowl, such as an
upturned dustbin lid or large
circular plant tray
• Some stones or gravel
• Four bricks
•Rainwater or tap water

Instructions

Lay out four bricks on an area of grass. Choose an open spot, as it’s really important that the birds are able to see all around them to prevent predators, like cats, sneaking up.
Place the bowl on top of the bricks.
Put some pebbles or rocks in the bowl so that smaller birds can perch without falling in.
Fill your birdbath with water. Keep it topped up in summer and, in winter, pour in warm (not hot) water.

Notes

Credit: Bird, Bee and Bug Houses illustrated by Esther Coombs, written by Susie Behar, Button Books, RRP £12.99, available online & from all good bookshops

Preening

After they have washed their feathers, birds ‘preen’ or groom themselves. Most birds have a gland called the ‘preen gland’ underneath their tail that produces oil.

The bird rubs its bill against the gland and then spreads the oil over the surface of its feathers. This oil keeps the feathers flexible, kills bacteria and helps to keep them waterproof.

Ant baths

Some birds, such as blue jays, use ants to preen and clean.
Ants produce formic acid to kill bacteria and mites. The word ‘formic’ comes from ‘formica’, the Latin word for ant.

Make An Ant Farm Science Project For Kids

Bird Bath Upcycling ideas

You could also use an old hanging planter and simply fit a pot base into it and hang. Or, you could use a tomato cage as the base. Or how about using a dustbin with the top turned over?

Creating a bird bath with your kids is a simple and rewarding DIY project. It’s an excellent way to introduce them to the joys of gardening, creativity, and nature. Using found items and upcycling materials from thrift stores not only makes this project affordable but also teaches kids the value of reusing and recycling.

Bird baths can transform your garden into a haven for birds, adding life and movement to your outdoor space. Gardens with bird baths are going to attract more birds, so if you want to do some bird spotting with the kids at home then it’s definitely worth taking the time to put together some bird bath plans and get started on your diy birdbath.

Bird, Bee and Bug Houses Book

This activity is featured from the book Bird, Bee and Bug Houses illustrated by Esther Coombs, written by Susie Behar, Button Books, RRP £12.99, available online & from all good bookshops

This is a fantastic new nature book for kids that will get them outdoors, engaged in nature, and feeling positively about bugs and other critters.

Many children are scared of bugs, but this book shows there’s no need! Packed with fascinating facts about amazing animals that share our neighborhoods, it highlights the important roles bats, birds, frogs, bees, butterflies, and beetles play in keeping our environment healthy.

For instance, did you know that around 20% of all mammals on Earth are bats, or that butterflies have been around for more than 200 million years, co-existing with dinosaurs?

This book is bursting with cool ideas and fun activities, from creating a bee-friendly garden and building a bird house to planting a mini meadow in a pot and becoming a nature detective.

“Bird, Bee and Bug Houses” will inspire you and your kids to roll up your sleeves and make your green spaces ready for some wonderful new guests. It’s the perfect tool to encourage kids to appreciate and enjoy the natural world around them!

This summer from July through September, and beyond, take some time to engage in this easy gardening project. It’s perfect for small spaces and can be customized with paint and flowers to suit your garden’s aesthetic.

Whether you’re looking for garden ideas, bird bath ideas, or just a simple DIY project to do at home, building a bird bath is a wonderful way to spend your time and show love for nature, as well as encouraging the kids to develop these important skills too.

More Nature Activities for Kids

It’s so important to help our kids develop a love for our planet, and this starts at home in our own gardens, yards or neighbourhoods. Here are a few easy nature activities, projects and crafts for kids that can be done at home.

Let’s raise our kids to be comfortable in nature and love our planet.

Butterfly Nature Art Frame Outdoor Activity

How To Make A DIY Bird Feeder With Kids

If you enjoyed learning how to make a simple bird bath with your kids, please share this blog post with your friends and family!

Spreading the word helps inspire others to get creative, engage with nature, and make their gardens a welcoming haven for birds. Let’s get everyone involved in these fun and easy DIY projects!