Build a Birdhouse
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What you will learn
- 1Plan a birdhouse with a drawing and measurements
- 2Sand, glue and nail the pieces together with an adult
- 3Name the main parts of a birdhouse and what each one does
- 4Choose a safe spot to hang it with an adult in charge of the ladder
Mini Lesson
A birdhouse is a great first building project. It gives small birds a safe, dry place to nest, and you can watch them from a window. You plan it, help build it and help hang it, while a grown-up is in charge of the saw, the drill and the ladder. Before you start, check which birds live near you with your grown-up, because different birds like different houses.
🏠 The Life Skills Way (step by step)
- PLAN IT: draw your birdhouse and write the size of every piece on the drawing - front, back board, two sides, floor and roof.
- CHOOSE THE WOOD: use plain, untreated wood. Never paint or varnish the inside, where the birds live.
- CUT AND DRILL: the adult cuts any hard pieces, then drills a small entrance hole in the front, a few drainage holes in the floor and air holes near the top of the sides.
- SAND: you sand every edge smooth so there are no splinters.
- JOIN IT: you glue and nail the pieces together, with the adult holding and guiding.
- HANG IT: the adult climbs any ladder and fastens the house high up, out of reach of cats. You hand up the tools and check that it hangs straight.
🐦 What Birds Need (and Don’t)
- NO PERCH: birds do not need a perch under the hole, and a perch can help other animals reach in.
- A ROOF THAT OVERHANGS: the roof sticks out over the front, so rain does not run into the entrance hole.
- A WAY TO CLEAN IT: one side or the roof can open, so an adult can clean out the old nest when the nesting season is over.
- A CALM SPOT: hang it away from busy paths, where the birds can come and go in peace.
An adult is in charge of the saw, the drill and the ladder. The adult cuts the hard pieces, drills every hole and climbs any ladder - you never climb up to hang the birdhouse. Wear safety glasses when you sand, nail or watch the cutting. Keep your fingers clear when you nail, and let the adult hold and guide the nail with you.
Words to know
plan
A drawing with the size of every piece written on it.
e.g. My plan showed the floor was 5 inches by 5 inches.
untreated wood
Plain wood with no paint, varnish or chemicals on it.
e.g. We used untreated wood so the inside was safe for birds.
sand
To rub wood with sandpaper until it is smooth.
e.g. I sanded every edge so no bird or hand gets a splinter.
entrance hole
The small round hole in the front where birds go in and out.
e.g. My grown-up drilled the entrance hole high on the front.
drainage holes
Small holes in the floor that let rainwater run out.
e.g. The drainage holes keep the nest from getting soggy.
overhang
The part of the roof that sticks out past the front and sides.
e.g. The overhang keeps rain away from the entrance hole.
💡 Handy Tip: lay all the cut pieces on the table in the shape of the house before you glue anything. If a piece does not fit, you find out now - not after the glue has dried.
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