My family loves watching birds in our backyard. We have several hummingbird feeders and other birdfeeders placed strategically throughout the yard. Have you ever made a gourd birdhouse or birdfeeder? It’s a simple and fun craft for people of all ages, especially kids.

How to make your own gourd birdhouse from start to finish:

1. Plant your Birdhouse Gourd Seeds according to the planting instructions.
2. Let your gourds mature on the vines as long as possible, then harvest and store over the winter.
3. After the gourds are completely hard and dry, mark a point in the center of the gourd where you want to put the hole. The hole should not point up or down, so try to get it in a center space.
4. Use a hole saw to drill a hole 1 ½” to 2 ½” in diameter. The size of hole you drill can influence which birds your birdhouse attracts. To make a bird feeder instead of a birdhouse, drill two holes opposite each other instead of just one hole.
5. Use a spoon or knife to carefully remove the seeds and insides from inside the gourd.
6. Using a 5/16” drill bit, drill two holes on the top of your gourd to use to hang the birdhouse.
7. Using a 5/16” drill bit, drill two or three holes on the bottom of the gourd to allow for drainage.
8. Cut twine to the desired length then thread through the top holes and tie. Alternatively you could use wire instead of twine on this step.
9. Wash, clean, and dry your gourd.
10. If desired, paint the birdhouse with acrylic paint then spray to seal.
11. Hang the birdhouse and wait for a new feathered friend to move in!