DIY Bird Feeder Battle - Who Knew It Would Get Competitive?

Dec 231 min read

My 8yo and I built a bird feeder from reclaimed fence boards a few weeks ago and just kind of hung it up. This turned into him wanting to track which birds come to it, which is sweet, but now he wants to build DIFFERENT feeders to attract specific birds and is actually reading field guides about it??? I'm totally here for it but also like, how do I encourage this without spending $200 on bird supplies? We've already made a hummingbird feeder and a suet cage. Do I let him go full ornithology mode or set some limits lol

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Comments(9)

JJoel F.RegularDec 23

We did something similar and my kid ended up completely obsessed with identifying species. Got him a bird ID book and now he's dragging the whole family to the local nature preserve. Could be the start of a legit hobby that actually lasts.

JJoel F.RegularDec 23

This is wholesome as hell but also I can already see where this goes - bird feeder is gonna become a full science project, right? Next he'll want a bird identification journal and you'll be spending every weekend analyzing wingspan ratios.

RRick H.RegularDec 24

The "which birds come to it" thing is actually the cool part though. He's learning observation and tracking without it feeling like homework. Let it evolve into whatever he wants it to be.

RRaj P.RegularDec 24

It's fine to let him want things even if it gets ambitious - kids learn that projects evolve and change. Just maybe set a boundary on like "ok, we'll spend 2 hours Saturday on bird feeder stuff" so it doesn't consume your whole life.

FFinn M.RegularDec 24

The escalation from "let's build something" to full competitive bird feeder project is peak 8yo energy lol. Where's this going - like he wants to compete with other feeders in the neighborhood or you two are competing against each other?

EEric V.RegularDec 25

Wait, competitive how? Like he wants a fancy feeder? Or are you guys competing to see who can build the best one? Because that second option actually sounds pretty fun.

HHank C.RegularDec 25

8yo with a project that's genuinely HIS idea? That's the sweet spot. It started as something you did together but now he owns it. Just stay out of his way and occasionally ask questions.

LLarry K.RegularDec 26

I love that you're asking for permission to "lose it" about a backyard bird feeder project with your kid. Like yeah, that's the whole thing - these random spirals are actually the best memories they keep.

PPhil B.RegularDec 25

This is incredible that he's into tracking the birds - that's the early signs of actual scientific thinking. Before you know it he'll want a proper journal and binoculars. Honestly better than most screen time he could be doing.