DIY Bird Bath Water Park

Updated: Mar. 21, 2024

Use a few sturdy branches and shallow bowls to make a DIY bird bath spot for every bird in town!

I got this idea for a tiered birdbath while watching how the birds and other critters use the baths on my deck. I have a traditional concrete bath, the bowl of another small birdbath minus a pedestal, and a plate just deep enough to hold some water. They all get used. House finches, chipmunks, bugs—everyone has room. And because of the daily show they put on, I decided to make my very own DIY bird bath water park for all creatures large and small. You can too!

You can use any thick, sturdy branches you can find. First, though, pick your bowls, because the biggest one will nestle at the top of the tepee formed by the sticks. You’ll be mounting the holders for the smaller bowls to the limbs or sticks themselves. The bowl at the bottom should meet the needs of any four-footed visitors, like turtles or chipmunks. And none of the bowls should be deeper than 2 inches, because you don’t want to intimidate the critters you’re trying to attract.

Materials:

Three tree branches or sticks, with diameters of 2 to 3 in.
3 or 4 bowls of different sizes and shapes
Drywall or wood screws, in lengths from 1 to 3 in.
Screwdriver or drill with drill bit slightly smaller than screws
Iron plant holders (find these at your hardware store)
Rocks, optional

Step-By-Step Instructions:

Step 1

Once you’ve chosen your limbs and have played with the positioning a bit, use a drill or screwdriver and drywall screws to attach the branches where they intersect.

Step 2

Using screws, attach plant holders to the branches where you want your bowls.

Step 3

Position the bowls, fill with water and find a comfy chair nearby. Before long, nature will come calling!

Tips: If you want to make friends with garden bugs, add a few rocks to one or more bowls for perching.