Turn Your Birdhouses Into The Ultimate Snack For Feathered Friends

There are a lot of benefits for having a birdfeeder in your yard, and with this fun and family-friendly DIY, you can easily turn an ordinary birdhouse into an edible snack to draw in some backyard birds. This simple project coats the outside of a wooden birdhouse with a nutrient-packed seed mixture. You'll only need a few supplies to get started; a wooden birdhouse (make sure it's untreated wood), birdseed mix (black oil sunflower seeds and white proso millet work well), peanut butter or edible glue as adhesive, and optional additions like dried fruits or mealworms. You may also want some gloves if you're not a fan of getting messy.

To make the edible glue, you'll need; 3/4 cup all purpose flour, 1/2 cup warm water, one unflavored gelatin packet, and 3 tablespoons of light corn syrup. Start by heating up the water for about a minute, add the gelatin, and stir. Once mixed, add in the flour and corn syrup, continue to stir until smooth.

Using bird-safe materials will ensure no harm to local wildlife, and the wooden structure can be washed and used again in the future as the seed is eaten. For added fun, you can use small cookie cutters to create seed shapes and add them onto the walls or roof. In the end, you'll have a personalized and functional feeder that looks great in your backyard.

To get started on this adorable DIY whipped up by sugarkanedesigns, you'll want to spread a thin layer of the edible glue or peanut butter onto the birdhouse using a craft stick or brush. Then, take your seed mix and press it firmly onto the surface, try to cover the entire outside without blocking the entrance hole or interior. Optionally, you could lay the seed mixture out onto a baking pan and roll the sticky birdhouse back and forth to coat it. If you're using edible glue, make sure you let the house dry for at least 30 minutes to an hour so the mixture has time to harden. Once finished, try to find the best place to hang your bird feeder higher up to avoid predators or greedy squirrels.

Melted suet is also a great option as adhesive since the fat helps keep them warm, but avoid honey at all costs, as it can be very harmful to a bird's health. The best part of this craft is that there are lots of ways you could customize your design. Adding dried cranberries, unsalted nuts, or even edible flowers in ornate designs is a great way to show off your creativity. You can also try using specific types of seed to attract the birds you want to see. To refresh your edible birdhouse, simply wash it off gently with water and you'll be able to start anew.