Skip Expensive Stone Birdbaths: The DIY You Can Make On A Dollar Tree Budget

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Seeing birds preening their feathers, playing around, and gulping down water from the birdbath in your yard is certain to make your day. Bonus advantage: your birdbath can do a lot more than attract birds. And if you'd like the feature to prettify your outdoors as well, you might think of investing in a stone model. Sadly, stone birdbaths cost a pretty penny, especially if you purchase an elaborate one. But you don't really have to let go of your dreams when you can DIY one on a Dollar Tree budget. You just need a shallow dish, a glass vase, and some river pebbles to craft a stone birdbath on a budget.

The best part about this idea is that you don't need any specific supplies for this, except a few packs (two to three should suffice) of Multi-Toned River Pebbles from Dollar Tree. To elaborate, any glass or plastic dish will do as long as it's shallow. This is important because birds feel safer when they can stand in a dish while they clean their feathers or drink water. So, pick one that isn't too deep, like the DT Plastic Cut-Edge Oval Bowl.

Similarly, you can choose any glass vase you like for the feature's base. It just needs to be sturdy. The 6.5-inch Hurricane Stem Vase and the 8.5-inch Cylindrical one are both good options. To bring it all together, you'll need a strong adhesive, such as E6000. Also keep your hot glue gun and a water-proof sealant nearby. And in case you wish to paint the base or the dish, get a few cans of spray paint in the best colors for your birdbath. Though optional, get decorative embellishments (think mini mushroom houses, toads, or another figurine) to make the feature stand out.

Wipe down the dish and base with a damp microfiber cloth, so there's no residual dust or grime. Let them both dry, then turn the dish upside-down. Open a bag of pebbles and start hot gluing them in concentric circles (vertical or diagonal lines work, too) around its bottom. Try to space them out as evenly as possible. However, don't forget to measure the diameter of your vase's opening and leave the required space empty (or you'll have trouble gluing the two together). Once you cover it entirely, leave it be so it dries completely.

Meanwhile, get your glass vase and fill it with pebbles (about ¾ of the way). This will lend your base some much-needed weight, or it might topple over when you place the stone-decorated dish on top. If you'd like to turn your birdbath whimsical, now's the time to slip in a string of solar-powered fairy lights, like Minetom's 33-feet 100 LED Outdoor String Lights, inside. Also, don't dump it in unceremoniously. Instead, weave it around the pebbles for an enchanting finish. Now, gently lift your pebble-covered dish and glue it (use E6000 or epoxy) to the vase's rim. You may even add a few pebbles to the top edge of your dish so it serves as a makeshift pedestal for tiny birds. Also, glue your decorative figurines, solar fountain, and other stones (large ones will look nice) for an aesthetic finish. Let it cure for at least 24 hours before placing your stone birdbath in a shaded spot and filling it with clean water. But ensure it's not too close to vegetation or this mistake might attract snakes to your yard.