While the phrase eating 'like a bird' implies very little food is consumed, if you place a bird feeder in your yard, it'll seem like those feathered friends eat constantly. Feeders should be able to withstand the weather and be out of reach of cats. Since even the driest regions experience rain now and then, the bottom of a milk carton is a good idea--it's waterproof. Cut off the bottom three inches of the plastic container. It should look like a wide, shallow bowl. A tin pie pan works, too. Next, use a hole puncher to poke a hole in each side of the carton or plate. Now you're ready to decorate the feeder with poster paint. Turn the 'bowl' upside down and let your imaginations run wild. Remember to instruct the children to paint only the outside of the feeder, so the birds won't consume any paint chips. After the paint is dry, cut four pieces of yarn or twine into 18 inches length. Tie one piece through each hole in the feeder. Find a secure branch, and gather the strings into two groups. Tie these groups over the branch, leaving plenty of room for the birds to land on the edge of the bowl under the branch. Now, fill with seed and watch your dinner guests arrive. Building bird feeders is a fun project that can offer hours of enjoyment even after the feeder is complete. With a steady supply a crumbs or birdseed, this project can attract feathered friends for months.
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