Build a DIY Birdhouse - Fun at-home activities for Kids.

All Activities

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.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to build a DIY birdhouse

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Homemade BIRD HOUSE | Full-Time Kid | PBS Parents

What you need

Scrap wood, saw, hammer, nails or wood glue, measuring tape or ruler, pencil, sandpaper, drill with a 1/2 inch bit, paint and brushes, safety goggles, adult supervision required

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

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

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Kids Carpentry: Build a simple Birdhouse

4 Videos

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.

How do I build a simple DIY birdhouse with my child?

Start by sketching a basic box design with an entrance hole and roof. Measure and mark scrap wood, then have an adult cut panels with a saw. Sand edges, assemble with wood glue and finishing nails or screws, and let dry. Drill a small drainage hole in the floor and ventilation slots near the roof. Paint or stain with non-toxic, water-based products. Always supervise cutting and nailing, and allow paint to fully cure before mounting.

What materials and tools do we need to make a wooden birdhouse?

You’ll need scrap wood (untreated cedar or exterior plywood), wood glue, finishing nails or small screws, sandpaper, a drill with bits for the entrance hole, saw (hand or jigsaw), measuring tape, pencil, and clamps. For finishing: non-toxic water-based paint or stain, paintbrushes, and waterproof sealant. Safety gear includes adult supervision, safety goggles, and work gloves. Optional: hinge for a clean-out roof and a mounting bracket or heavy-duty string.

What ages is building a DIY birdhouse suitable for?

This activity suits a wide age range: toddlers (2–4) can help paint and decorate, early elementary kids (5–7) can measure, sand, and help assemble with glue, and older children (8+) can assist with simple hand tools under close supervision. Teens can operate saws and drills with adult guidance. Always match tasks to each child’s skill level and provide full adult supervision for cutting, drilling, and nailing.

What safety tips and creative variations should we know for this birdhouse project?

Focus on safety: wear goggles, clamp wood while cutting, keep fingers away from blades, and use non-toxic finishes. Supervise all tool use and avoid small nails for very young children. Creative variations: change roof styles (sloped, shingled), paint seasonal themes, add a hinged roof for cleaning, or build a predator guard around the entrance. This project teaches measuring, fine motor skills, and bird habitat awareness while creating a functional backyard home.

Ready to create?

All Activities

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.

Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to build a DIY birdhouse

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Homemade BIRD HOUSE | Full-Time Kid | PBS Parents

What you need

Scrap wood, saw, hammer, nails or wood glue, measuring tape or ruler, pencil, sandpaper, drill with a 1/2 inch bit, paint and brushes, safety goggles, adult supervision required

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

Help!?

What can we substitute if we don't have a measuring tape, saw, drill, or nails?

My pieces don't fit squarely or the entrance hole is in the wrong spot—how do we fix that?

How should we adapt the steps for younger kids or older kids?

What are some ways to extend or personalize the birdhouse after building it?

Watch videos on how to build a DIY birdhouse

0:00/0:00

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Kids Carpentry: Build a simple Birdhouse

4 Videos

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.