DIY Grapevine Balls for Nesting Birds

Nesting birds use a variety of  materials to create the perfect place to lay their eggs. You can help attract them to your yard by providing the items they need. This decorative project would make a great gift for a bird-loving mom or grandma on Mother’s Day. It’s easy enough for little hands to help out, so get the kids involved too!

What You Need:

• Grapevine Ball, available at your local craft store (about $4 each)
• Raffia or twine
• Scissors
• Pencil or Chopstick
• Nesting Materials – Click here for ideas (I used natural cotton, seed heads and clippings from ornamental grass, and Spanish Moss. Be sure to avoid materials that have been treated with chemicals, including dryer lint if you use fabric softener.)

What To Do:

• Cut off any tags from the grapevine balls. Using your fingers, force open a small hole in one side of the ball. Push some nesting material inside, using the pencil/chopstick as needed.
• Use the pencil/chopstick to push additional materials into the ball through different holes. You can fill the balls as full as you like.
• Tie a piece of raffia or twine to the top for hanging, and add a small bow if you like.

That’s it! Now you can hang the balls in a nearby tree, from shepherd’s hook in the yard, or anywhere the birds can find them.  You can re-fill them as needed, too. What materials will you put out for your nesting birds this year?