Build a birdhouse with your kids

The ever-popular birdhouse is an excellent project for mini-woodworkers. Premilled parts, their "own" tools and a bit of paint make for a couple of hours of busy hands (and peace and quiet) in the shop.

This birdhouse is made of standard 6"-wide, 3/4"-thick pine, which is available at any home store. Almost any 3/4" material will do, but avoid MDF and particleboard for this birdhouse as these materials don't stand up well outdoors.

You will need
Roof: 5 3/4" x 8 1/2" (2)
Sides: 6" x 6 3/4" (2)
Front and back: 6" x 9" (2)
Bottom: 6" x 4 1/2"
Perch: 1/4" x 2" dowel (or use a piece of a pencil!) (1)



Click here to see the birdhouse plans.

Begin by cutting the parts to size. You will need to cut two pieces measuring 5 3/4" x 8 1/2" for the roof, two pieces 6" x 6 3/4" for the sides, two pieces 6" x 9" for the front and back, and one piece 6" x 4 1/2" for the bottom.

Once all the pieces are cut to size, cut a 45˚ peak at the top of the front and back pieces with a mitre saw or handsaw. Tilt your tablesaw or compound mitre saw blade to a 45° angle and cut the mitred edges of the roof and side pieces.

Next, drill the entrance and perch holes in the front piece. I used a 1 1/4" Forstner bit to drill the through hole 3" below the top of the peak. Use a 1/4" brad-point bit to drill a 1/2" -deep hole 1 1/2" below the through hole. Cut a 2"-long piece of 1/4" dowel for the perch.

Assemble the birdhouse temporarily using a few brads or some packing tape to hold it together and predrill holes for the fasteners. If you are including screws in your package, drill 1 1/2"-deep, 1/8"-diameter holes and add a shallow 3/8" countersink. If you are using nails, drill 1 1/2"-deep holes with a 1/16" bit.

Finally, disassemble the birdhouse and remove any brads. Put the lumber into a box with the required nails or screws, some glue and paint (both optional) and a picture of the assembled project. Write "birdhouse" on the outside of the box, and stow it away for the next time you need to keep those young hands occupied in the shop.

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