CRAFTS WITH ANASTASIA--MILK CARTON BIRDHOUSE

In honor of Earth Day, coming up on April 22^nd, I’m repeating a craft project from the very early days of Killer Crafts & Crafty Killers. Our kids are often the driving force in making us think green. Crafting is a great way for the entire family to enjoy a reuse/repurpose/recycle activity beyond separating the glass, plastic, and newspapers for curbside pick-up. So coax the kids away from the video games and spend an afternoon crafting. 

Milk Carton Birdhouse

Materials:

clean, empty half-gallon milk or juice carton

compass and pencil

hammer and nail

1/8” dowel or twig, 3” - 4” in length

wooden bead to fit dowel or twig

sandpaper

craft knife

weatherproof white acrylic primer

weatherproof acrylic paint in colors of choice

weatherproof acrylic varnish

paintbrushes

tacky glue

scissors

scraps of colored paper

3 spring type clothespins

narrow plastic cording (the kind for making lanyards)

dry pasta, popsicle sticks, buttons, cereal, etc.

Directions:

1.  Lightly sand carton.

2.  Glue the carton closed, holding together with clothespins until glue sets.

3.  With hammer and nail, make two small holes in top flap for hanging loops. (Adult should do this.)

4.  Using compass and pencil, draw a 2-1/4” circle centered approximately 2” above base of carton on one side.  Using craft knife, poke a small hole 3/4” below circle.

5.  Using craft knife, cut out large circle.

6.  Poke dowel or twig through small hole.  Secure by gluing wooden bead onto dowel inside the bird house.

7.  Apply a coat of primer to carton and dowel.  (Twig can be painted or remain unpainted.) Paint in desired colors. Allow to dry between each coat.  (Note: if using roofing materials that require painting, glue them to top of carton before painting.)

8.  Glue dry pasta, popsicle sticks, buttons, cereal, or other materials to top of carton for roof.

9.  Cut shapes from colored paper and glue to sides of birdhouse.  Other materials may also be used (pictures from magazines, stickers, buttons, pasta, ribbon, scraps of wrapping paper, colored yarn dipped in glue, etc. Use your imagination!)

10.  Apply several coats of varnish to entire bird house for protection, allowing to dry between coats.

11.  Thread plastic lacing through holes on top for hanging.