Ditch Traditional Bird Feeders: Upcycle A Tennis Ball Tube With A Smart DIY

Creating a designated space just to feed birds in your garden or on your porch can be a peaceful and rewarding experience that allows you to connect to nature and observe the amusing antics of your feathered friends. Studies show that observing birds and listening to birdsong can help improve mental health and reduce stress. And building your own bird feeder? Count that among the stress relievers. Scientific studies show that craft projects can improve mental health and self-esteem.

Creating an upcycled bird feeder out of an empty tennis ball container is a fairly easy project that just takes the right tools and time. The empty tennis ball container serves as the body of the feeder, and can hold plenty of seed. The rest of the materials are string and two plastic lids, and the tools used are a knife (or scissors) and a drill. (Bonus: In addition to being a stress-reliever, upcycling a bird feeder reduces waste and keeps those plastic lids out of a landfill.)

No drill? Not a problem. While YouTube channel WMU Alumni (University Advancement at Western Michigan University) shows how to make your own bird feeder with a drill, the drill is only used to pierce holes in the bottom of the empty tennis ball container and plastic lids. If you do not have a drill, this can still be managed by using a knife to cut the plastic. A nail can also be used to create the holes. This should be done carefully, with gloves and proper eye safety gear for harder plastics.

Gather your tools, and let's get started. An alternative to the plastic tennis tube can be used if needed, like a soda bottle, as long as it is cleaned first. First, make the aforementioned hole in the base of the tennis ball container. The bottom of the tube will also serve (no tennis pun intended) as the base of the bird feeder. Pierce a small hole for your string to go through.

Next, use a knife or a pair of scissors to cut out the places where the birdseed will empty out on the bottom of the tube (at least two to four openings, so every side can evenly have seed). Some crafters also cut out small holes to insert wooden skewers through the tube for birds to perch on, but the simple plastic lid perch is enough for a birdy meal and not necessary for this craft.

Pierce a hole in center of the largest plastic container lid. This is the base. Secure the string on the top with a strong knot (add glue for extra security if needed), and thread the string up through the tennis ball tube. Next, pierce a hole in the second lid. This is the cover of your bird feeder. String through the hole, and leave extra string at the top for your desired hanging length. Cut the string and knot a loop to hang your birder on a branch or use a budget-friendly Ikea "S" hook to hang with ease.  And done! Fill your container with seed and start birdwatching.