Capture Wildlife in Action
Make a simple wildlife camera hide using a smartphone, cardboard, and tape; set it near animal paths to photograph and observe animal behavior.
About this activity
Make a simple wildlife camera hide using a smartphone, cardboard, and tape; set it near animal paths to photograph and observe animal behavior.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Choose a quiet spot near an animal path or a place animals visit often to set your camera hide.
- 2
Step 2
Ask an adult to check the chosen spot for safety and permission to place the hide.
- 3
Step 3
Flatten the cardboard on a table so it is easy to work with.
- 4
Step 4
Use the pencil and ruler to draw a rectangle the size of your smartphone plus about 2 cm on every side.
- 5
Step 5
Cut out the rectangle with scissors carefully.
- 6
Step 6
Fold the cut cardboard into a sleeve shape so the phone can slide inside.
- 7
Step 7
Tape the sleeve edges so the shape stays snug and secure.
- 8
Step 8
Cut a small hole in the front of the sleeve where the phone camera lens will peek through.
- 9
Step 9
Tape leaves or brown paper to the outside to camouflage the hide to match the area.
- 10
Step 10
Ask an adult to slide the phone into the sleeve with the camera lens lined up with the hole.
- 11
Step 11
Ask the adult to set the camera to time-lapse or video mode for continuous recording.
- 12
Step 12
Ask the adult to mute the phone so it stays quiet during recording.
- 13
Step 13
Ask the adult to place the hide near the animal path and then step away quietly at least five meters to wait.
- 14
Step 14
Return after the recording time is done and review the photos or video with the adult.
- 15
Step 15
Share your finished wildlife camera hide and your best animal photos or videos on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I set up a simple wildlife camera hide using a smartphone?
To set up a simple wildlife camera hide, fold a cardboard box so it forms a small shelter and cut a hole for the smartphone camera lens. Tape the phone inside with the lens aligned with the hole, screen facing away, and secure with extra tape or a strap. Camouflage the outside with leaves or painted paper, position the hide near animal paths at low height, set a time-lapse or motion app, then leave quietly and check the phone later.
What materials do I need to make a wildlife camera hide with cardboard and tape?
You'll need a smartphone with a working camera, a cardboard box or large cereal box, strong tape (duct or gaffer), scissors or a box cutter (adult use), marker, zip ties or elastic bands to secure the phone, small tripod or stack of rocks for stabilization, camouflage materials (leaves, fabric), a power bank for long sessions, and a plastic bag or zip-lock to protect electronics from moisture.
What ages is the wildlife camera hide activity suitable for?
This activity is suitable for children 6 and up with adult supervision. Younger kids (3–5) can participate in spotting animals and collecting leaves while an adult does cutting and phone setup. Ages 6–9 can help build and place the hide with guidance. Ages 10+ can plan camera angles, operate apps, and manage recording more independently. Always supervise tool use and outdoor safety and check local rules about wildlife and private property.
What safety tips should I follow when using a homemade wildlife camera hide?
Do not bait or lure wildlife; place the hide to observe natural behavior at a safe distance and avoid nests or dens. Secure the smartphone so it won't fall or scare animals and weatherproof electronics. Use silent camera settings and avoid flash. Supervise children near animals and tools, wear visible clothing in public spaces, and follow local laws about wildlife monitoring. If you encounter injured animals, contact local wildlife rescue instead of handling them.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of thick cardboard or a smartphone if those are hard to find?
If you don't have thick corrugated cardboard for step 3, use a flattened cereal box or poster board, and if you don't have a smartphone for steps 4–6 and 9–11, use an old phone or compact digital camera that fits inside the sleeve.
What should we do if the camera lens doesn't line up with the hole or the phone keeps slipping out?
Before placing the hide (step 11) have an adult slide the phone in (step 10) and test the lens alignment, then enlarge or re-cut the hole and add extra tape or folded cardboard at the sleeve edges (steps 5–6) so the phone is snug and won't slip during recording.
How can we change the activity for younger kids or make it more challenging for older kids?
Younger children can decorate and help camouflage the hide (step 8) while an adult does the measuring, cutting, folding, and camera setup (steps 3–11), and older kids can precisely measure the sleeve, add an internal stabilizer, or experiment with interval time-lapse settings (steps 4–9).
How can we improve or personalize our wildlife camera hide after following the basic instructions?
To enhance the hide, add a small clear plastic window over the camera hole for lens protection, glue on extra natural camouflage like collected leaves or textured brown paper (step 8), and keep a wildlife log when you review photos or videos (step 13) to track which animals visit.