#1 🐦 Toilet Roll Bird Feeder
This is a super simple, mess-friendly activity that’s perfect for toddlers through to older kids.
You will need:
- 1 empty toilet paper roll (per child)
- Peanut butter (smooth works best)
- Bird seed (any mix suitable for your local birds)
- A butter knife or spoon (for spreading)
- String or yarn (optional, for hanging)
- A plate or shallow tray (for rolling in seed)
- Paper towels or wipes (for sticky fingers!)
Instructions:
- Prep your space:
Use a tray or something similar. This can get a little messy as bird seed is the glitter of the garden, you’ll be finding it in everything! - Spread the peanut butter:
Have your child hold the toilet roll while you help them spread a generous layer of peanut butter all over the outside. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just enough for the seeds to stick. - Roll it in seeds:
Pour a layer of bird seed into a plate or tray. Roll the sticky toilet roll in the seed until it’s completely covered. Press gently if needed to help it stick. - Add string:
Thread a piece of string through the middle of the roll and tie the ends together in a loop. Or you can simply slide the roll over a small branch or twig. - Hang and observe!
Find a tree branch and hang your feeder. Ideally, choose a spot that’s visible from a window so the kids can keep watch.
Make it educational:
- Make a bird journal with pictures or drawings of the birds you see.
- Look up bird calls and try to identify them by sound.
- Track which seed blends attract different species.
- Make binoculars out of toilet rolls to do the bird watching
😸🐦
While we were installing one of these bird feeders in our pet bird’s cage, she decided it was the perfect moment to make a break for it, flying straight out, biting my daughter on the face, and zooming around the room. Meanwhile, the cat was on high alert, pounced on her, and I had to pry the bird out of his mouth. It turned into a full-blown adventure! Thankfully, after a bit of chaos, we managed to get her safely back in her cage. No damage done! Perhaps it’s birds that actually have 9 lives!
The Great Eight 