Isn’t this the cutest little paint-it-yourself birdhouse you’ve ever seen? I never would’ve expected to find it at Hobbytown. Most of the birdhouse projects for kids (and most of the ones for adults) I’ve seen have just been plain wood all over, including the roof.
They can turn out completely adorable, as you may have seen if you visit Pinterest and run across any, but they just don’t seem very inspiring to me, and though my daughter’s extremely interested in making birdhouses for the birds that spend a lot of time around our house, she’s never pointed one of those out and asked to buy it so she can decorate it at home.
This one has an eye-catching little thatched roof that gives it more character than most of the others and would look right at home in any garden or even as an indoor decoration. It lends itself to a paint job that makes it look like a cozy cottage in the forest, at least to me. I could see myself wanting to collect and paint them long after my daughter’s interest in birdhouses has died down.
This particular birdhouse is recommended for ages five and up, and it’s relatively inexpensive ($12.99 at Hobbytown), especially if you already have paint in several different colors on hand. If you have stencils, too, that’s even better. Be sure to use a non-toxic water-based paint. You’d do that anyway if you’re painting with kids, but it’s important for the birds’ health, too.
If you do intend to hang it outside and hope to spot birds that have adopted the home, try to stay away from dark colors that will absorb heat. Instead, go for a light or neutral-toned palette that will reflect heat and blend in with the surroundings.
Photo credit: Hobbytown USA
