How to Make a Chopsticks and Coke Can Birdfeeder

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Your next visit to a noodle bar could end up feeding you AND the birds! Just hang on to the disposable chopsticks.

Oh, and you’ll also need two cans of Coke… that’s all you need for this cool project.

Step by Step Guide

To make your own birdfeeder, follow the how-to instructions below.

Step 1: Use the tin snips to remove the tops and bottoms of three Coke cans (or any other similar soda can).

Step 2: Snip along each side to make 3 flat rectangular sheets. Each sheet should be around 217mm x 88mm in size.

Step 3: Flatten out one sheet, and using the measurements above, drill four holes the diameter of a chopstick, and two small holes for attaching the string.

Step 4: Roll the ends of the sheet around a chopstick.

Step 5: When you let go the sheet will spring open slightly, so remove the chopstick and squeeze the roll with your fingers. Insert the chopstick again - it should now be a nice tight fit.

Step 6: Trim the ends of each chopstick using a saw, you want around 2-3cm sticking out of the roof on all sides.

Step 7: Take one of the other sheets and cut out 2 rectangles 127mm x 39mm in size.

Step 8: Fold each rectangle twice, 13mm from each side, to form a long thin strip.

Step 9: Drill a hole through the ends of each strip, the diameter of the chopstick.

Step 10: Fold a corner over on each end over using pliers (to stop it from opening up later).

Step 11: Push the strips onto the ends of the ‘roof chopsticks’ to form an arch.

Step 12: Take the last sheet and cut it to the measurements shown. The dotted lines indicate folds, mark those with pencil.

Step 13: Fold the sides upwards and in half, along the dotted line. After that, fold the end flaps up.

Step 14: Bend the ends of the side flaps inwards.

Step 15: Fold the end flaps down over the side flaps.

Step 16: Fold the end flap in half, along the dotted line, and back onto itself.

Step 17: Drill holes in both ends of the feed tray and push a chopstick through.

Step 18: Bend the corners over using pliers.

Step 19: Attach the bottom of four chopstick into each corner of the feed tray using small screws. Drill a small pilot hole first, to ease the passage of the screw!

Step 20: Push the roof down onto the tops of the four chopsticks and secure with more screws. You’ll need to bend the roof struts inwards, but that’s fine.

To install your birdfeeder, tie some string through the two small holes in the top of the roof and attach it to a tree branch in your garden… happy birdspotting!s

Materials List

1. 3 soda cans
2. 7 disposable chopsticks
3. Tin snips
4. Pencil and ruler
5. Drill and drill bits
6. Screwdriver and small screws
7. String
8. Pliers

Creative Takeaway

There’s so many different ways to make a birdfeeder, that’s why it’s one of the best projects for expressing your creativity.