A nest ball provides much needed supplies for nest building birds. This nest ball craft is great for kids of all ages for a number of reasons. Creating a nest ball gets both younger and older kids moving outside and helps the birds. This nest ball craft is great whether you’re at home or in the classroom and a perfect addition to a bird learning unit.
What is a Nest Ball?
A Natural Nest Ball is something created to help birds build nests. The materials used in the nest ball are all natural and eco-friendly, making it an ideal tool for encouraging native bird populations. Nest balls are made with grasses, twigs, and other plant and natural fibers to create a habitat for birds that’s both safe and comfortable. Natural Nest Balls are also great for encouraging birds to stay in the same area, helping them form a community.
Nest Ball Craft for Kids
I am so excited to share this sweet little project to help the birds on their way with these Bird Nest Balls. Try this outdoor activity with your kids and do something nice for the birds in your area.
Related: Make an Easy Pine Cone Bird Feeder
This craft is obviously budget-friendly as you really just need items from outside, branches, and string! This nest ball craft is great for kids of all ages: little kids and older kids!
This post contains affiliate link.
Supplies Needed For This Nest Ball Craft
- Some pliable branches (try to collect from the ground, or if you must harvest them take only a little from each tree)
- String
- Wool Roving or shredded wool sweaters
Directions To Make This Nest Ball Craft
Step 1
Make a small loop with one of the branches and string and twisting it to secure it.
Step 2
Now wind around and around trying to create a spherical shape, threading the string through when possible.
Step 3
Gradually add more branches, winding in and out of the previous ones.
Step 4
Once you’re happy with your shape, gently stuff it with wool. Try to make sure a few strands are poking out and easily accessible for the birds.
Step 5
Tie a piece of string to the top of the ball and hang your nest ball from a tree.
Easy Nest Ball Craft For Birds
Make a nest ball to help the birds make nests! This nest ball is simple to make, budget-friendly, and the perfect craft for kids of all ages.
Materials
- Some pliable branches (try to collect from the ground, or if you must harvest them take only a little from each tree)
- String
- Wool roving or shredded old wool sweaters!
Instructions
- Make a small loop with the string one of the branches, and twist to secure.
- Now wind around and around trying to create a spherical shape, threading the string through when possible.
- Gradually add more branches, winding in and out of the previous ones.
- Once you are happy with your shape gently stuff it with the wool, trying to make sure a few strands are poking out and easily accessible for the birds.
- Tie a piece of string to the top of the ball and hang from a tree.
Making a nest ball is a fun activity for kids and good for hand muscle development. Of course though, it is truly a craft that’s “for the birds!”
More Bird Crafts and Activities From Kids Activities Blog
- Looking for another great way to feed backyard birds? The try this DIY humming bird feeder!
- Birds eat more than just a type of seed. You can make a fruit garland for birds. Fruit is an excellent source of food for birds.
- This DIY bird feeder is made from string, a toilet paper roll, bird seed and peanut butter.
- Here are more pine cone bird feeders. Spread the natural peanut butter from the top of the pinecone to bottom and add seed to make a bird feeder.
- Did you know you can make a butterfly feeder too?
- Don’t miss this list of bird feeder crafts from us!
- You’ll love our simple & cute bird coloring pages for kids!
Kids Activities Blog is excited to welcome Ruth as Quirky Momma for the day! Ruth lives in a little cottage in Virginia with her husband and two young daughters. She runs a little forest playgroup and specializes in Reggio and Waldorf learning.
Did your children enjoy this nest ball craft and fun activity? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear!
Love this idea how to help the birds make a bird nest! And what a lovely outdoor activity for kids as well.
Wow! I love this idea so much. I didn’t really know what I was looking for when I was searching how to make a bird nest because, well we didn’t really want to make a bird nest we just wanted to help out! And this makes so much more sense to craft a nest ball for the birds to make their own nest. Thanks so much for the super fun idea.