I made some colorful paper bird houses as a fun decoration for the sewing room, and I love how cheerful they look — plus they were super-frugal to make!
Wouldn’t they look lovely hanging from the ceiling of a child’s bedroom, a classroom, or even lined up along a nature table?? So cute!
I quickly discovered that Clara had other plans for these little bird houses — they are great for pretend play! I added a small set of fleece finger puppets, and these kept her happily occupied for a loooooong time! Pretend play is a great way for kids to work on early creative problem-solving skills — and it’s fun!!
She enjoyed counting the birds and houses, matching the colors, and even re-arranging the houses. Of course, the birds were hungry, sleepy, and busy avoiding cats all day — oh, those sneaky cats!
Hide, birdie, HIDE!!
*phew* That was close!
I thought you might like to make a few bird houses of your own too! Just download the template below, cut out and glue (I attached the roof with strips of velcro, so Clara could access the inside of the bird house easily.) I used colored card stock, but you could easily recycle an empty cereal box for this, and let the kiddos paint them instead.
If you make these, email me a photo, and I’ll post it up here — valerie (at) frugalfamilyfunblog (dot) com — They are lots of fun!
Enjoy!!
January 10th, 2011 on 4:43 pm
Everything you do looks so picture perfect! Thanks for sharing the printables – we might use them a couple of weeks from now…
January 18th, 2011 on 10:51 pm
That’s so sweet, Natalie, thank you! I bet Anna would love to make these! Have fun!!
January 10th, 2011 on 4:52 pm
So fun! The fleece birds are adorable, too =)
January 18th, 2011 on 10:52 pm
January 10th, 2011 on 4:58 pm
This is definitely going on my to do list! You are so clever.
January 18th, 2011 on 10:53 pm
I’m going to have to make a few more too. The ones I made were intended to be hung from their bedroom ceiling, but ended up being toys instead! I bet C and R would have lots of fun with these too!!
January 10th, 2011 on 5:20 pm
Oh they’re lovely! I’ve just printed off the template – thanks for the share.
January 18th, 2011 on 10:53 pm
Yay!! It’s so exciting to think that someone on the other side of the ocean is making these bird houses too! xoxo
January 10th, 2011 on 6:23 pm
Those are so cute and colorful. They would look great hanging from the ceiling in a room. Love the little birdies.
January 18th, 2011 on 10:54 pm
Thanks, Debby! They are fun to make and every time I see them I can’t help but smile!
January 10th, 2011 on 7:42 pm
Wow these are great!
Thanks for sharing
January 18th, 2011 on 10:55 pm
You’re welcome, Anya! Have fun!!
January 10th, 2011 on 7:42 pm
Oh. My. Gosh. Please continue to post awesome things like this in the first week or so of the month… I think I’ve decided on a craft project for Midwinter Break at the library! If I do this, I’ll try to remember to send a picture, or if you’re on Facebook you can always “like” the Salina Free Library and see our program pictures
January 18th, 2011 on 10:55 pm
How fantastic, Monica!! Thanks for letting me know — I’ll be off to check out the library on FB.
Have fun!!
January 10th, 2011 on 8:07 pm
These are SO CUTE! I can’t wait to try them with my daughter who is into all things bird. We just made some homemade suet and added it to our feeding stations and she’s been mesmerized. These houses will make for some fantastic playtime while we’re stuck inside due to snow this week. Thanks thanks thanks for always sharing your great ideas!
January 18th, 2011 on 10:57 pm
That sounds adorable!!! I remember being fascinated w/birds when I was little too. What a sweetheart! You’re very welcome, and have fun crafting with your little one! xoxo
January 10th, 2011 on 11:16 pm
My son will be crazy excited for these
Going to try it tomorrow provided he is healthy enough.
Btw… what kind of birds is she playing with?
January 18th, 2011 on 10:58 pm
Oh, I hope he is feeling up to it soon. They are lots of fun to make! I made the birds out of some patterned fleece. Very quick and easy!
January 11th, 2011 on 6:27 am
These are adorable. Even I might be able to make them.
January 18th, 2011 on 10:58 pm
You can do it! You can do it!!!
January 11th, 2011 on 9:26 am
Makes me wanna sing:
“Rockin’ Robin… Tweet! Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!
Rockin’ Robin… Tweet! Tweet! Tweedle Tweet!”
January 18th, 2011 on 10:58 pm
LOL I know!!!
January 11th, 2011 on 10:09 am
So cute! Love the finger puppets.
January 18th, 2011 on 11:02 pm
Thanks so much, Amanda!
January 11th, 2011 on 10:48 am
Oh those are so cute!!! Who wouldn’t want to play with them? And I bet they cheer your sewing room right up (that is if you ever get them back
).
January 18th, 2011 on 11:03 pm
I know, right??? They’re always stealing the cute things!
Ah well, they are fun to make so I’ll make up a few more. 
January 11th, 2011 on 3:03 pm
Oooohhhh, that gets me itching to make the bird finger puppets……
January 18th, 2011 on 11:03 pm
I had a remnant of fleece with birds printed on it, so I just cut them out and used them for the finger puppets. Super quick and easy! Have fun!!
January 11th, 2011 on 6:01 pm
i am going to save this and make them for mothers day for the grandma and great grandmas…thanks for sharing
January 18th, 2011 on 11:05 pm
What a great idea!!
January 12th, 2011 on 3:39 pm
what great ideas you have. i’m sure my son is going to enjoy making these with me.
January 18th, 2011 on 11:06 pm
Yay!! They are lots of fun to make — enjoy!! xoxo
January 17th, 2011 on 5:24 pm
Hi Valerie!
I love these cute bird houses! My daughter just asked for a bird birthday party and these would make great decorations! Thanks for the idea!
Have a lovely day,
Ree
January 18th, 2011 on 11:06 pm
Ree, that is wonderful!!! Your daughter is so lucky! Have fun with these!
January 17th, 2011 on 10:44 pm
Seriously, this is soooo cute! I just discovered your blog around Christmas time, I love it! The ideas are fun, colorful, creative and quick!
Thanks so much….i <3 birdhouses!
January 18th, 2011 on 11:07 pm
That makes me SO happy! Welcome to FFFB — I’m so glad you’re enjoying our little bloggy blog! xoxo
January 28th, 2011 on 2:15 am
Today my daughter wanted to make crafty birds – so I thought why not make this. Been meaning to do it since I saw it posted. She just couldn’t wait for me to finish making it so she could paint it (she’s 3). After it was dried and she could play with it – the little birdy went into the house for some time out…. Thanks so much for this – has been lots of fun. Will send you a pic.
July 25th, 2011 on 9:31 am
Can you tell me where to get the bird finger puppets? I looked on your blog and couldn’t find them anywhere and a web search has been exhausting. The ones you show are SO cute.
Thanks!
Nancy
PS
Wonderful site! Found it via pinterst and have already “pinned” a few of your things.
July 25th, 2011 on 9:39 am
Thank you!! I made them from printed fleece fabric, but my friend Cathy over at NurtureStore made a printable bird template to go along with these bird houses! Here’s the link — http://nurturestore.co.uk/printable-bird-and-bird-house-set
I’m SO happy you’ve been enjoying our little bloggy blog!
July 26th, 2011 on 7:01 am
Perfect! Thank you Valerie!