Young Makers: Build a Better Birdhouse

In this class, you’ll learn how to make a functional birdhouse - that is, one that a bird can use to make its nest and raise it's young. You’ll learn some basic woodworking skills, the proper sizing and placement of a birdhouse and the species of birds that will use your birdhouse.

This class is suitable for ages 8 and up. You’ll do some simple assembly of kits we have pre-made. So no dangerous tools involved. The instructor will show you how to cut the raw materials. There will be some nailing, using an electric drill, painting and such.

This is a great group activity.

Material fee: included

Instructor

Joe Szuecs (pronounced SOOCH) has made at least one hundred bird houses over the years. He actually wrote an article for Craft Magazine (Issue 4) on this very topic.

Questions? [email protected]

Class outline

1. Designing a birdhouse

2. Choosing and working with materials.

3. Assembly.

4. Decorating and personalizing your birdhouse.

Creating your designs

1. Design considerations

2. Targeting a bird species

Choosing and working with materials

1. Types of materials: wood, plywood, acrylic, metal.

2. Working with wood: solid wood vs. plywood.

3. Reclaimed materials

Assembly

1. Nails, screws or glue?

2. Nails

3. Screws

4. Glue

Finishing your project

1. Sanding and finishing wood

2. Gluing wood

3. Paint options

Placement and maintenance

1. Site selection

2. Height and orientation

3. Year to year maintenance

Activities

1. Assemble your box

2. Customize and personalize your box

Host or Publisher Chimera Arts