All Activities
Protect the wild

Protect the wild
Green highlight

Build a simple bird feeder from recycled materials, plant native flowers, and create a mini habitat to attract and protect local wildlife.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to Protect the wild

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Wildlife Conservation for Kids | What Is Wildlife Conservation? | Twinkl USA

What you need
Adult supervision required, birdseed, native flower seeds, natural materials (sticks leaves small rocks), potting soil, recycled plastic bottle or milk carton, scissors, small pot or recycled container, string or twine, tape, tray or saucer, water, wooden stick or spoon

Step 1

Choose a safe outdoor spot where birds can visit and you can hang the feeder.

Step 2

Rinse your recycled bottle or milk carton and peel off any labels.

Step 3

With adult help cut two small holes near the bottom across from each other for a perch.

Step 4

Push a wooden stick or spoon through the two bottom holes to make a perch.

Step 5

With adult help cut two small holes near the top of the bottle for the hanger.

Step 6

Thread string through the top holes and tie a loop so the feeder can hang.

Step 7

Wrap tape around any cut edges to make them smooth and safe.

Step 8

Pour birdseed into the feeder until it is partly full.

Step 9

Hang the feeder in the spot you chose.

Step 10

Fill your small pot or recycled container with potting soil placed on the tray or saucer.

Step 11

Sprinkle native flower seeds evenly on the soil surface.

Step 12

Gently cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.

Step 13

Water the seeds gently until the soil is evenly damp.

Step 14

Arrange sticks leaves and small rocks around the pot to create a mini habitat and shelter for wildlife.

Step 15

Take a photo and share your finished creation on DIY.org

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder

Help!?

What can we substitute if we don't have a recycled bottle, wooden stick, or string?

Use a clean milk carton or juice carton instead of a recycled bottle, a straight pencil, bamboo skewer, or sturdy twig as the wooden stick or spoon perch, and twine, thin wire, or a strip of cloth threaded through the top holes as the hanger.

My feeder keeps spilling seed or birds can't perch—what should I check and fix?

Check that the two small holes near the bottom are aligned and the perch (wooden stick, pencil, or spoon) is fully pushed through and level, wrap tape around any cut edges to smooth rough holes, and only pour birdseed until the feeder is partly full so seed doesn't pour out.

How can I adapt the activity for younger children or older kids?

For younger children have an adult pre-cut the two bottom and top holes and let them thread thick yarn, pour seed, and press stickers onto the clean bottle, while older kids can cut the holes with supervision, choose and plant different native flower seeds in the pot, and arrange sticks, leaves, and rocks themselves to build the habitat.

What are easy ways to enhance or personalize our bird feeder and mini habitat?

Decorate the bottle with non-toxic weatherproof paint or stickers before cutting, add drainage holes to the small pot and plant a mix of native flower seeds for longer blooms, place a saucer with fresh water near the habitat, and take a photo to share your finished creation on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to Protect the wild

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Wildlife Conservation - Habitat - Educational Video for Kids

4 Videos

Facts about wildlife conservation for kids

♻️ Turning a used bottle or milk carton into a feeder is a fun way to recycle and keep trash out of landfills.

🐦 A homemade bird feeder can attract neighborhood birds like sparrows, finches, and cardinals — sometimes dozens over a year!

🏡 Even a tiny mini-habitat with native plants, water, and shelter can make your backyard a safe home for lots of little creatures.

🌱 Native plants provide the best food and shelter for local wildlife and usually need less water and care.

🐝 Planting native flowers helps pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds that help grow many fruits and vegetables.

How do I do the 'Protect the Wild' activity with my child to build a bird feeder, plant native flowers, and create a mini habitat?

Start by planning: choose a sunny spot and pick native plants. Build a simple feeder from a recycled bottle, milk carton, or a pinecone covered in seed. Plant native flower seedlings or seeds after loosening soil and adding compost. Add shelter by stacking small logs, rocks, and brush, and place a shallow water dish. Teach your child to watch and record visitors, refill food and water, and keep the area pesticide-free to protect wildlife.

What materials do I need for the 'Protect the Wild' activity (bird feeder, native flowers, mini habitat)?

Gather recycled containers (plastic bottle, milk carton, or pinecone), string, scissors or a hole punch, bird seed or suet, non-salted peanut or seed butter alternative, native flower seeds or seedlings, potting mix or compost, small shovel, gloves, watering can, rocks, sticks and logs for shelter, a shallow dish for water, and a notebook for observations. Avoid bread and processed foods; use native plant lists from a local extension or nursery.

What ages is the 'Protect the Wild' activity suitable for?

This activity suits many ages: toddlers (2–4) can plant seeds, scatter seed, and observe with heavy adult supervision; preschoolers (3–5) enjoy simple feeding and planting tasks; school-age kids (6–9) can help build feeders and dig soil with guidance; tweens and teens (10+) can lead construction, research native species, and monitor the mini habitat more independently. Always supervise tools, hot glue, and allergenic materials.

What safety tips should I follow when doing the 'Protect the Wild' activity?

Keep safety in mind: avoid using moldy or salty foods, clean feeders and water dishes regularly to prevent disease, place feeders away from windows and predators, and use shallow water to prevent drowning. Supervise cutting tools and hot glue, watch for plant allergies and avoid toxic plants, and check local rules about feeding wildlife. Use native plants and skip pesticides to protect beneficial insects and birds.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.

Protect the wild. Activities for Kids.