Box for the Birds

Hello, Birdy

Do the feathered friends in your backyard like traditional architecture? Or is a modern house more fitting for the local fliers to roost? Box for the Birds has something for all tastes.

These DIY birdhouses are the creation of Michael Oliveri and Laura Hoffman, who had been looking for a fun project to make with their six-year-old daughter Bianca. When Laura suggested a birdhouse, Michael set to work. He wound up designing a kit of pre-cut parts that he, Laura and Bianca could assemble together, without using nails or glue. The pieces go together like a puzzle, with notched and slotted panels that fit together snugly.

Michael’s kits caught on, and now he and Laura have three designs available. The Original is a traditional cottage-like birdhouse, Right is a modern design inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright, and Church is a slightly larger structure with a steeple. Each design is easy enough for kids to assemble and engaging enough to keep adults interested, too. Once you fit the birch plywood panels together, you can let the birdhouse age naturally or paint it in your own style. Then sit back and enjoy as the neighborhood birds flock to it.

— Ann

• Needs no glue or nails
• Unique design simply slides together
• Screws are included to hang the kits easily on pre-cut notches
• Easy enough to do with children, and sturdy enough to last several seasons
• Made in U.S.A from baltic birch plywood
• Dimensions of the finished kits:
  
  • Original -- 9 x 9 x 10.5 inches ; 2 pounds
  • Right -- 9 x 9 x 9 inches ; 2 pounds
  • Church --9 x 9 x 11 inches ; 2 pounds