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Make an animal home

Make an animal home
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Build a simple animal home using natural or recycled materials, like a birdhouse, hedgehog shelter, or bug hotel, and learn habitat needs.

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Step-by-step guide to make an animal home

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2nd Grade Science Diorama Project - Habitat of Animals #diorama #animals #habitat #science #project

What you need
Adult supervision required, empty toilet-paper rolls or bamboo tubes, leaves and moss, mesh or old pantyhose optional, pinecones and small stones, recycled container like a cardboard box or wooden crate, scissors or garden shears, sticks and twigs, straw or dry grass, tape or non-toxic glue, twine or string

Step 1

Pick the animal you want to build a home for such as a bird a hedgehog or garden bugs

Step 2

Choose a safe sheltered spot outside for the home like against a fence under a shrub or on a dry porch ledge

Step 3

Gather the Materials Needed and bring them to your chosen work spot

Step 4

Prepare your container by cutting or opening an entrance with scissors or shears with adult help

Step 5

Line the bottom of the container with leaves moss or straw to make soft bedding

Step 6

Fill the container with sticks pinecones toilet-paper rolls and small stones to create lots of nooks and hiding places

Step 7

Make hollow bundles for insects by grouping toilet-paper rolls or bamboo tubes and tying them with twine

Step 8

Secure the materials inside the container by wrapping twine or covering openings with mesh

Step 9

Add a sloping roof or cover using cardboard wood or a plastic lid to keep the home dry

Step 10

Place and anchor the finished home in your chosen spot using stones or by tying it to something stable

Step 11

Watch quietly for visitors and fix anything that comes loose to keep the home safe and cozy

Step 12

Share a photo and a short description of your finished animal home on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
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Help!?

What can we use instead of toilet-paper rolls, bamboo tubes, twine, or mesh if those items are hard to find?

If you can't find toilet-paper rolls or bamboo tubes for hollow bundles, substitute tightly rolled cardboard or paper-towel tubes and use old nylon stockings, string, or zip ties instead of twine or mesh when you 'Make hollow bundles' and 'Secure the materials inside the container'.

What should we do if the materials keep falling out or the home blows away after we place it?

If stuffing falls out or the home moves, follow the 'Secure the materials' and 'Place and anchor' steps by wrapping twine or covering openings with mesh, and anchor the finished home with heavy stones or tie it to something stable to prevent collapse or wind damage.

How can this activity be adapted for different ages?

For toddlers let them gather leaves and press bedding into the container while adults skip cutting, and for older children (8+) let them use scissors or shears with supervision to cut the entrance, make hollow bundles with twine, and build a sloping roof.

How can we extend or personalize the animal home after it's built?

Enhance the home by adding native plant bedding like extra moss and leaves, attaching a painted sign with the chosen animal, installing a small camera or observation log to watch visitors, and then share a photo and short description on DIY.org as the final step.

Watch videos on how to make an animal home

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what is a habitat for kids | what is a habitat grade 4 | animal habitat project

4 Videos

Facts about wildlife habitats

♻️ Old pallets, tin cans, and cardboard can be upcycled into sturdy animal homes — helping wildlife and keeping waste out of landfills.

🌿 A healthy habitat gives animals three big things: shelter, food nearby, and the right temperature/moisture — that’s why placement matters!

🦔 Hedgehogs build leaf nests for shelter and will happily use a hedgehog house to stay safe and warm.

🐝 Insect hotels attract solitary bees and other helpful insects; some bees nest in hollow stems or holes bored into wood.

🐦 Many small birds like blue tits and chickadees will move into nest boxes if the entrance hole is the right size (about 25–32 mm).

How do I build a simple animal home with my child?

To build a simple animal home with your child, first pick the target animal and study its habitat needs. Choose a safe location, then sketch a basic plan. Collect natural or recycled materials and sort pieces by size. Let adults handle cutting or drilling; kids can assemble, stuff, and decorate. Build a sturdy frame, add nesting materials, ensure drainage and ventilation, and secure the roof. Place the home in situ and monitor from a distance so wildlife can settle.

What materials do we need to make a birdhouse, hedgehog shelter, or bug hotel?

You'll need natural or recycled items like untreated wood, broken pallets, cardboard, bamboo, twigs, pinecones, leaves, straw, moss, and small logs. Fasteners and tools: non-rusting screws or nails, waterproof glue, hammer, screwdriver, hand saw or adult drill, sandpaper, and wire mesh for ventilation and predator protection. Also have gloves, safety glasses, and non-toxic paint or sealant if desired. Substitute simple materials for younger children (pre-cut wood, glue instead of nails) to keep

What ages is this activity suitable for?

This activity suits preschoolers through teens with adult guidance. Ages 3 to 5 enjoy collecting materials, stuffing shelters, and decorating with close supervision. Ages 6 to 9 can help measure, sort, and assemble with safe tools and direction. Ages 10 and up can plan, cut, and use drills with parental oversight. Tailor complexity: make bug hotels for younger kids and sturdier birdhouses or hedgehog shelters for older children, always supervising tool use and wildlife interactions.

What safety tips should I follow when making an animal home?

Safety tips: always supervise children and let adults handle cutting, hammering, and drilling. Use gloves and eye protection, choose untreated wood and non-toxic materials, and avoid small parts for very young kids. Secure the structure so it won't fall and mount it out of reach of predators and busy human traffic. Check local wildlife rules before installing. Teach kids to observe without disturbing occupants and inspect the home yearly for rot, sharp edges, or pests.
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Make an animal home. Activities for Kids.