Kid’s Craft: DIY Ombre Tin Can Bird Feeder

In honor of Earth Day and the fact that the Frozen-esque eternal winter we had has finally ended, this week my boys and I made a fun upcycled project his week.  We had some tin cans laying around that had been begging to by repurposed so I pulled out my handy dandy Martha Stewart Craft Paint and decided to get crafty with the kids for this month’s #12MonthsofMartha project! This DIY Tin Can Bird Feeder was super simple, kid-friendly, and a welcome addition to our yard this spring!

Supplies:

• 4 tin cans, cleaned
• Martha Stewart Multisurface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint-colors of your choice
• hot glue and glue gun
• baker’s twine
• twigs
• birdseed

We (and by we I mean me, since my boys cared not a lick) decided on an ombre color scheme.  I loved these turquoise variations-I used Diving Board, Mermaid Teal, Pesto and Emerald City.  I let the boys loose to paint the cans, and I even managed to restrain my crazy perfectionism and let them do as they please.  Thank you.  It was tough.

When the cans were dry we moved outside to assemble our feeder.  I cut about 36″ of baker’s twine and warmed up the glue gun!

Loop the twine around the can you want on the bottom and add glue to the top edge.  Stick the next can on top and hold firmly until the glue dries and the two cans are stuck together with the twine in between.

Criss cross the twine on top of the next can and continue until all of the cans are adhered together.

We found some small twigs in our yard and broke them into 6 inch sections, then hot glued them to the bottom of each can to create a perch.  Angle the twigs side to side so there is more room for the birds to stand without hitting the stick above them.

Tie a knot in the end of the leftover twine and hang on a sturdy branch! My boys are loving watching the bird feeder and seeing our little feathered friends enjoy eating there!

For more of my #12MonthsofMartha projects check out these no shed glittered candlesticks and last month’s carrot treat bags!