Get Creative With DIY Birdhouses Made From A Dollar Tree Bucket

Birdhouses provide safe havens for birds to nest and raise their young, especially in populated areas where natural habitats can be scarce. Fortunately, making birdhouses is a fun pastime for families, as well as individuals. Many might remember making them from popsicle sticks or old milk jugs during childhood. Birdhouses can be crafted from so many different materials, including reclaimed wood, gourds, and even cardboard. There are even items from Dollar Tree that can be transformed into birdhouses. Making a home for these fliers out of a Dollar Tree popcorn bucket is a simple and inexpensive project. 

For your handcrafted birdhouse, all you need is a plastic popcorn bucket from Dollar Tree (the same ones used for this DIY popcorn bucket garden decor), a small square of plywood (or other lightweight material), twine, multi-purpose cement, a few tools, and some water-resistant paint. This birdhouse is not only super easy to make but also simple and fun to customize. These Dollar Tree popcorn buckets are inexpensive (they come in packs of two for $1.25). So, this is a great project for group gatherings and birthday parties where you need a large haul of supplies. 

For this charming DIY birdhouse, an electric hot knife makes cutting the plastic container easy. If you don't have one, a plastic cutting tool or some utility scissors will work. If you're plywood needs to be cut, you need a saw for that, as well.

To start, cut the piece of plywood to the size of the popcorn bucket's opening, or a little larger if you want to make a porch. Then, coat the wood with your weather-resistant paint. While that dries, cut the birdhouse door out of the bucket. With the plastic cutting tool you've chosen, use the circle around the word "popcorn" as a guide for where to cut — there is no need to cut out both sides. Next, puncture a small hole in the bottom of the bucket; this is where you will thread the twine for the hanger. Cut a piece of twine to the desired length (double the length that you want the birdhouse to hang), create a loop, thread both ends through the hole, and tie a sturdy knot on the inside of the container.

To secure the top of the popcorn bucket to the plywood, you will need to create an even edge by removing the scallop trim on the bucket. To do this, simply cut a straight edge along the top. When you're done, use bonding cement to secure the top of the bucket to the painted side of the plywood square.

One of the great things about Dollar Tree DIY projects is that they can be easily customized to look high-end. This popcorn bucket birdhouse is no exception. One easy solution for customizing your new birdhouse is by painting it. Using weather-resistant acrylic paint, you can match the birdhouse to your home's siding or paint it to complement your garden fixtures. If you have a set of stylish hose guides in your yard, it can be painted to match them, as well. This would give your exterior a nice uniform look. 

To create a rustic, natural design, you can line your birdhouse with twine or jute rope using superglue. Another way to give it a natural look is to cover it with moss or faux flowers. If you've opted to cut your plywood to create a porch for the birdhouse, you could also add some doll furniture. This would give the mini home a quaint touch.

If you're thinking of giving your birdhouse a more fun look, apply a flat coat of paint and then add some eyes above the opening to create the look of a face with an open mouth. Even add lips around the opening or a mustache and beard. Your birdhouse could also be painted to look like a variety of different animals. It's all about your style.