Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars

My friend Kristi and her girls come to visit us every summer and I asked her oldest daughter to come up with a craft for the little kids.  This was from their visit a few years ago and I'm embarrassed to say that I just found these pictures when I was looking for something else.  Kalli did an awesome job and the kids just loved what they made.

Supply List:  construction Paper, 2 toilet paper rolls, markers, ribbon, scissors

Start by measuring and cutting a piece of construction paper that is as wide as your toilet paper roll is long.  Cut all the way across the paper at this length.

Decorate with your markers.

Use your stapler to attach the paper to 1 toilet paper roll and then roll it up and repeat with the other side.  Tie on your ribbon.

Go searching for adventure!

Book Suggestion: You may know Jane Yolen from her wonderful children's books but this one is a little different.  Birds of a Feather is a poetry book that your kids are sure to find delightful.  We checked it out at the library this week and my 6 year old and 3 year old both enjoyed the beautiful pictures and spirited poems.

More Bird Feeders

Since I was on the subject of bird feeders I thought I'd post some crafts-from-the-fast-bird-feeders that I loved.

Cardboard Tube Bird Feeder

Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeders

Dish & Bowl Bird Feeder

This is a little project that the kids and I whipped up for Mother's Day this year.  It was super easy and the kids had fun helping me make them.

Supply List: 1 plate, 1 bowl, 1 long threaded bolt, 4 washers, 4 nuts, ribbon or twill, silicone glue, drill.

Note: I can't tell you exactly what the long threaded bolt thing is but I found it at Home Depot in the nuts & bolts aisle.  I bought the one that is 12 inches long.

Drill holes in your plate and bowl.  This was easy as long as I had a wood block under them.  I just used a piece of our Giant Jenga Game.

Once you've drilled your holes you can begin assembling your bird feeder.  I started at the bottom.  Thread from the end in this order: 1 nut, 1 washer, bowl, washer, nut.  I started my first nut about 1 or 1.5 inches from the end.  Add a little glue in between your nuts and tighten.

After we had the bowl on we worked on adding the plate.  Working on the other end thread in this order: 1 nut, plate,  2 washers, 1 nut.

Before you tighten everything up you want to add your ribbon or twill between the 2 washers.  I cut a small hole right in the middle of the ribbon and just threaded it onto the bolt between the 2 washers.  Add a little glue and tighten it up.

Allow your glue to dry for a few hours, or a day and then fill your feeder with seed and hang it up.  The Cardinals LOVE this feeder.  I have it hanging right off the back patio and they are always up there eating off it.

Book Suggestion: My kids love National Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America: The Best Birding Book for Kids.  It's filled with great facts about North American birds and the pictures are outstanding. 

Toilet Paper Roll Binoculars {National Bird Day}

Tomorrow is National Bird Day.  Celebrate by creating some binoculars that are perfect for bird watching in the backyard or at the park.  You can learn more about National Bird Day here.

Binocular Supply List: 2 toilet paper rolls, paint, glue, hole punch, ribbon or string.

Start by painting your binoculars.  We used our Roll It Paint.  Allow the card board tubes to dry.  I let them dry and then put a little glue between them and allowed them to sit overnight.

Use some ribbon or string and wrap it around your toilet paper rolls.  Use a little glue so it sticks to the tubes.

Punch holes on the outside of the tubes and thread another piece of ribbon through the holes.  I let Cole do the threading himself.  He likes to do as much of our crafts independently and this was a good chance to develop his fine motor skills.

Once they are dry your binoculars are ready for National Bird Day and it's time to get outside for some local bird watching.

Book Suggestion: What's That Bird? is a great book to introduce kids to the different types of birds in your backyard.  Not only does the book identify hundreds of different birds, but it also gives you fun facts about birds and includes diagrams with the different bird parts.  If your kids are anything like mine, they love learning random facts about animals.  Field guides and non-fiction are always popular around here.