Summer Bird Feeding for Kids: Easy DIY Projects, Best Practices, and Safety Tips

Summer is the perfect time to step outside, look up, and discover the amazing birds living right in your neighbourhood! Setting up a bird feeder is one of the most rewarding things a young nature lover can do. You get to watch colourful visitors up close, learn their names, and help them thrive during the warm months. Ready to become a backyard bird champion?

Why Feed Birds in Summer?

You might think birds have plenty of food in summer, and many do, but new parents are busy raising chicks and need extra energy. Young birds learning to find food on their own can also benefit from a reliable feeder. Feeding birds also helps you develop patience, observation skills, and a love of nature that lasts a lifetime.

Easy DIY Projects

Project 1: Pinecone Peanut Butter Feeder

A big pinecone should be tied with a string, rolled in peanut butter, and covered with birdseed. Hang it from a tree branch and watch birds cling to it as they snack. Simple, zero-waste, and very effective!

Project 2: Milk Carton Feeder

A clean milk carton should be rinsed, a huge square opening cut on one side, two holes punched at the top, and a string threaded through for hanging. Fill the bottom with seeds. Decorate the outside with waterproof paint to make it your own!

Project 3: Orange Cup Feeder

Cut an orange in half and scoop out the flesh (great for a snack!). Poke three holes around the rim, thread the strings through, and tie them together at the top. Fill with grape jelly or birdseed. Orioles and robins love these!

Project 4: Seed Ball Wreath

Mix birdseed with unflavoured gelatine and water, press the mixture into a round mould, and let it harden overnight. Thread a ribbon through and hang it on a fence. Birds will pick it apart piece by piece!

Summer Bird Feeding Best Practices 

Pick the Right Spot

Place feeders near shrubs or trees so birds can quickly dart to cover if a cat or hawk appears.

Keep it Full

Check feeders daily in summer. Heat speeds up food going stale - refill with small amounts often.

Clean Regularly

Rinse feeders with hot water every 1–2 weeks to prevent mould and harmful bacteria from building up.

Add a Water Dish

A shallow bowl of clean water nearby helps birds drink and bathe. Change it every 2 days in the summer heat.

Keep a Bird Journal

Note which birds visit, when, and what they eat. Over weeks, you'll start to spot patterns and favourite visitors.

Avoid Bread

Bread has little nutrition for birds. Instead, stick to appropriate seeds, fruit, suet, or specialty bird mixes. 

Safety Tips

Always Wash Your Hands

After handling feeders, seed bags, or anything birds have touched, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. This protects both you and the birds.

Ask a Grown-up for Help

Use scissors, hammers, or hanging tools only with adult supervision. Heights can be dangerous; let an adult do the climbing or reaching.

Never Touch a Bird Directly

If you find an injured bird, alert an adult. Wild birds can carry parasites and should never be handled by young children without proper guidance.

Keep Cats Indoors During Peak Hours

Cats are natural hunters. Encourage your family to keep pet cats inside during early morning and late afternoon when birds feed most actively.