Painted Birdhouse Craft for Toddlers
Looking for a summer boredom buster for your toddler or preschooler? This little birdhouse project actually kept my kids occupied for more than 60 seconds AND it gave us a cute little keepsake for the backyard. Win, win! This simple craft involves almost no prep time and is a great project for all ages, especially the toddler group!
A few weeks ago we traveled up to North Carolina to visit my parents. Trips to Grandma & Grandpa’s house are extra special for the kids because they get to see their sweet cousin, too! I thought it would be fun to get all 3 of the kids involved with a hands-on art project that we could do outside together. With summer finally here, I decided on this cute little birdhouse craft. It was a gorgeous evening, so we brought a table out on the patio, and the kids immediately got to work painting their birdhouses.
Supplies Needed
Birdhouse
Acrylic Paint + Brushes
Outdoor Sealer (preferably a clear, matte spray safe for wood)
Mounting Hardware (if your birdhouse does not come with it already)
Alternatively, you could also purchase a wooden birdhouse “kit” for kids, which should come with everything you need for this project (minus the sealer). But after venturing out to 3 different stores with no luck finding any kits in stock, I ended up finding these little wooden birdhouses in the craft section of my local Walmart. The best part about these was that they were already put together, so no assembly required. Another win!
Oh, and don’t mind the pj’s. We did this project in the evening after the kids had been running around at the park all day. This was our “wind down before bedtime” activity!
After the kids were finished painting, we let the birdhouses dry overnight, and then sealed them with a clear outdoor sealer.
Once everything is totally dry, you’re ready to hang. Since the birdhouses I purchased didn’t come with any hanging hardware, we used screw eye hooks and fishing line to hang them. I had my handy husband help me with this part. It only took him a minute or so for this final step, and so far, the birdhouses have held up just perfect.
Having just planted a new tree in our backyard, this project was even more special for the kids because they got to see their painted birdhouses hanging from the tree that we picked out and planted together as a family.
Have you painted birdhouses with your little ones? What’s your favorite outdoor summer art project?
xo,
Sumer
38 Comments
Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries
What a fun activity! I bet they love looking out at the birds on their houses! π
Sumer
We haven’t seen any birds in them yet, but they sure do like seeing their houses hanging in the tree, haha! π
Lyndsey
I love this craft. This is on my list to do this summer along with homemade bird feeders. I love how they turned out they are super cute!
Sumer
Thanks so much, Lyndsey!
Jen
How cute! I remember when we did this when my oldest was a toddler. But we didn’t seal it. It made it through most of the summer…but we should have sealed it. Lesson learned! Loved the concentration of your youngest as she painted. π
Sumer
Oh yes! Sealer is important. My hubby actually had to remind me to seal them π
kim
Yes! Just what I needed to combat the summer boredom – love this idea!
Kelly
We painted a birdhouse this spring and my kiddos LOVED it! We may just have to try again and build a bird condo complex π
Sumer
Go for it, Kelly! Thanks for stopping by and reading!
Danielle @ A Sprinkle of Joy
Such a fun idea!! I love doing crafts with my girls π
Francesca
This is such a great idea and such an adorable project!
Sumer
Thanks, Francesca!
Rachel
This is so fun ! We’ve done this a few times with my toddler and each time is just as much a disaster as the last! LOL
Sumer
Haha! Gotta love toddlers and paint…it’s always an adventure! π
Kate
Super cute activity! I never would have thought to make a birdhouse with my son but I bet he’d love to make one!
Kristen
So cute! My girls would love these!! What a fun craft
Melissa
These are so cute! I want to do this with my toddler.
Victoria
That is such a fun project! I am more of a sidewalk chalk persom but that looks like a lot of fun.
Sumer
We love our sidewalk chalk, too!
April Kitchens
We haven’t painted a birdhouse yet this year. The birdhouse from last year is still hanging tough lol. I think I may pick one up for my daughter to paint.
Sumer
This would be a fun yearly project to do with her and watch her painting skills grow year after year!
Aly Funk
So cute! I’m definitely going to do this with my girls this Summer!
Annie Thompson
What a cute idea! I love how you did it outside–I am always so nervous about paint inside with the kids!
Sumer
This time of year is just perfect for painting outside. I always kick myself when I do art projects inside and paint gets all over the floor!
Lauren | also known as mama
Soooo cute! I love now that the weather has warmed up, that we have the opportunity to do crafts outside. Painting inside scares me!!
Sumer
Yes! Me too, Lauren!
Nicole
My toddler would love this craft. I will have to try it with him.
Nicole Banuelos
What a fun craft for kids! My kids would love this!
Rochelle Valle
This is so cute! My kids would love to make one of these.
With Love Rochelle
Amber Battishill
So cute! My son would love this activity!
hanna
My son would LOVE this!!! He is really into painting right now and we live on conservation lands so we get tons of birds!
Sumer
Oh that is so neat! This would be perfect for him! π
Jessica Peresta
What a cute idea! My kids would love this!
Leah
What a fabulous idea to do with my little ones. We live right next to a park and have the perfect tree to hang these in! Thanks for saring, will be pinning this for later!
Sumer
Oh yay, that’s perfect! I’m so glad! Hope your kiddos love it!
Angela Fry
This is a great idea! My kids are really into birds lately. I’m gonna give this a try!
Sumer
Yay! That’s awesome. I’m so glad you’re going to try it! Enjoy π
Home Address Signs
I have never made a birdhouse with my little ones. But it looks so fun and easy to prepare. I will probably do as you did, buy them at Walmart. So it will be already put together. Thank you for sharing Sumer!