Build a DIY Birdhouse
Make a simple wooden birdhouse using scrap wood, nails or glue, paint, and tools with adult supervision while learning measuring, cutting, and bird habitats.
Step-by-step guide to build a DIY birdhouse
Homemade BIRD HOUSE | Full-Time Kid | PBS Parents
Step 1
Pick a birdhouse size you want to build like small medium or large.
Step 2
Draw a simple plan on paper showing where the base back two sides front and roof will go.
Step 3
Put on safety goggles before you touch tools.
Step 4
Measure and mark the wood pieces on your plan using the measuring tape and pencil.
Step 5
Ask an adult to cut the wood pieces along your marks with the saw.
Step 6
Sand all cut edges and surfaces until they are smooth.
Step 7
Mark the entrance hole on the front panel about 6 cm above the base and centered.
Step 8
Ask an adult to drill the entrance hole where you marked it using the drill bit.
Step 9
Use nails or wood glue to attach the back and two side pieces to the base to make a little box.
Step 10
Attach the front panel with the entrance hole to the box using nails or glue.
Step 11
Attach the roof piece on top so it covers the box and overhangs a bit to keep rain out.
Step 12
Paint and decorate your birdhouse with colors and patterns you like.
Step 13
Let the paint dry completely before handling or hanging your birdhouse.
Step 14
Share a photo and story about your finished birdhouse on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we substitute if we don't have a measuring tape, saw, drill, or nails?
Use a ruler or yardstick and pencil instead of a measuring tape, ask an adult to have the wood pre-cut at a hardware store or use their jigsaw if you don't have a saw, have an adult use a hand-drill or brace instead of an electric drill, and substitute strong wood glue or small screws for nails when attaching the pieces.
My pieces don't fit squarely or the entrance hole is in the wrong spot—how do we fix that?
If edges are uneven or the entrance hole is misplaced, sand or trim the cut edges until the box fits, attach a thin wood patch and re-mark the front so the entrance is centered 6 cm above the base, then have an adult re-drill with the drill bit before final assembly.
How should we adapt the steps for younger kids or older kids?
For preschoolers, have an adult pre-cut and pre-drill the pieces and let the child plan, paint, and decorate while wearing safety goggles, for elementary-age let them measure, mark, sand, and glue with supervision, and for teens let them do full measuring and assembly with an adult operating the saw and drill when needed.
What are some ways to extend or personalize the birdhouse after building it?
Add a small perch below the entrance, drill drainage holes in the base, attach the roof on a hinge for easy cleaning, paint patterns and seal with outdoor varnish so the overhanging roof stays weatherproof, and then share a photo and story on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to build a DIY birdhouse
Kids Carpentry: Build a simple Birdhouse
4 Videos
Kids Carpentry: Build a simple Birdhouse
How to Build a Birdhouse | Mitre 10 Easy As for Kids DIY
$3 DIY Birdhouse! - Simple, Easy & Affordable
DIY Milk Carton Bird Houses with Maison de Pax | The Home Depot Kids Workshops
Facts about woodworking for kids
🐦 Many small songbirds (like bluebirds, chickadees, and wrens) readily use nest boxes when natural cavities are scarce.
📏 Entrance hole size helps choose which birds will move in — e.g., ~1.5 in (3.8 cm) for Eastern bluebirds, ~1.125 in (2.9 cm) for chickadees.
🪵 Untreated cedar or pine are great for birdhouses because they resist rot and are bird-safe; avoid pressure-treated wood.
🔨 Measuring and cutting wood teaches practical math — kids use fractions, rulers, and problem-solving while building.
🎨 Paint the outside with water-based, non-toxic paint and avoid painting the interior so the nest stays safe and breathable.
