There’s something peculiarly satisfying about assembling flat-pack furniture, even if it’s for a robin.
From balcony bee hotels to windowsill tomato vines, nature-inspired DIYs are wildly popular among urban city dwellers and country bumpkins alike. Naturally, DIY birdhouse kits have also fluttered back into fashion, proving that the wholesome activity is no longer confined to a bygone, screen-free era.
Part craft project, part conservation effort, these humble wooden boxes offer the ability to reconnect with the outside world and spark a passion in animal lovers of all ages. But before you start drilling holes into old fence posts, it’s worth understanding exactly what you’re building.
What exactly is a birdhouse, and what is its purpose?
A birdhouse (also known as a nest box) is, quite simply, a shelter designed for wild birds to shelter in.
It mimics the natural cavities they’d usually seek out in trees, something that’s becoming increasingly harder for them to find in built-up areas. Unlike a feeder, which caters to quick snackers, a birdhouse is a seasonal residence: a place to raise chicks in relative peace, away from predators and springtime chaos.
What’s the difference between a birdhouse and a birdfeeder?
Think of it like this: a birdfeeder is a busy café, while a birdhouse is a calm and cosy Airbnb. Feeders offer food — seeds, nuts, or suet — often attracting dozens of feathered diners at once. Birdhouses, on the other hand, offer privacy and security. It’s nesting space, not dining space.
Mixing the two is a common mistake; too much traffic around a birdhouse and your would-be tenants may look elsewhere.
What kind of UK birds enjoy birdhouses?
In the UK, smaller species are your most likely guests. Blue tits, great tits, sparrows, nuthatches and robins all take well to the right kind of birdhouse - especially if it’s in a sheltered spot, mounted at the right height and away from feline paws. Feeling ambitious? Swifts and owls require more specialised boxes.
What should you put inside a birdhouse?
Nothing. Truly. Resist the urge to decorate too aggressively. Birds prefer to furnish their own homes with moss, twigs and feathers - it’s their hardcoded instinct. Anything scented or synthetic can deter them. Your role is landlord, not interior designer - provide the walls, roof, and entryway, and nature will (hopefully) take care of the rest.
Whether it’s part of a weekend project or your low-key leap into rewilding, a DIY birdhouse kit is a small act of domestic eco-optimism - no power tools (or bird knowledge) required. We’ve curated a selection of the best, easy-assemble kits for all ages below.
Shop now
Live tweets: Can this smart bird feeder bring wildlife to a London flat?
Best garden furniture sales: deals on rattan, outdoor furniture sets, fire pits and more
Best birdhouses with cameras for getting closer to your garden’s wildest visitors
Best solar-powered bird baths to attract your feathered friends
Basic plant care: Essential tools for happy houseplants
Pecking order: The best bird seed mixes for your feathered friends
Melissa & Doug Build Your Own Birdhouse
The perfect, interactive summer activity for little ‘uns at a bargain price, Melissa & Doug’s DIY birdhouse kit offers tactile and creative opportunities.
It comes with wooden panels, screws, four pots of paint, and a paintbrush to keep them occupied for a good few hours. It’s suitable for kids aged five and upwards and – unlike many easy-to-assemble birdhouses – is actually durable and long-lasting.
Buy now £12.99, John Lewis
LotFancy Bird House Kit
Twit-two for one? Don’t mind if we do.
This craft kit comes with two DIY birdhouses, each with pre-drilled holes for easy but sturdy assembly. Unlike other smaller DIY kits, this one includes a perch post, hanging rope, six paint colours, two brushes, 28 screws, and a handy assembly guide for if you get stuck.
The feeding trough at the front of the house will also attract passing visitors who don’t necessarily need a nesting spot, but want to drop in for a quick snack.
Buy now £18.89, Amazon
Kenneth & Kenneth Small Bird House and Nesting Materials Set
Filled to the brim with charming nesting necessities, this set from Kenneth & Kenneth has been designed specifically with bluebirds in mind.
Rather than just providing a nesting vessel, the brand goes above and beyond by including gardening essentials to help you plant flowers that’ll attract birds – such as a tin planter, gardening gloves, plant marker, sunflower seed envelope, sunflower bird food, and even a notebook and pencil for jotting down your visitors.
Buy now £40.00, NOTHS
Apples to Pears Gift In a Tin Build Your Own Bird Feeder Craft Kit
A lovely little gift for any occasion, this build-your-own bird feeder kit is small but mighty.
Designed to suction onto your window, the adorable wooden innovation allows you to watch birds enjoy your feeder all year round from the comfort of your home. You might even attract a cheeky squirrel or two.
Buy now £16.00, John Lewis
The Crafty Hen Ceramic Bird Feeder Kit
Simple, effective and free from potential splinters, this paint-your-own ceramic bird feeder kit is sure to keep the kiddos entertained. We love the fact that this set not only comes with dedicated birdseed, but also includes a bingo card for identifying avian visitors as they naturally begin to frequent their new, favourite food source.
Buy now £25.00, NOTHS
National Trust Kids DIY Bird Feeder Table Jinto
This adorable little feeding spot from the National Trust is one of the most elegant we’ve seen – and it’s a DIY option.
Made from responsibly sourced materials, features include a metal hanging hook, perches on either side, and even the National Trust’s iconic leaf logo on one side. Part of an award-winning wildlife range designed with kids in mind, NT suggests that kids decorate the finished product with wildlife-friendly paint, stickers or markers before filling it up with bird seed.
Searching for a nest box instead? They have those too.
Buy now £14.99, CJ Wildlife
Evanmore Build Your Own Bird Box
Woodworking for little beginners, this brilliant set contains everything you need to safely build and hang a nesting box for your new feathered friends.
Complete with non-toxic weatherproofing and a hinged front panel for easy cleaning, ventilation and drainage holes, it may look like a simple wooden structure – but this birdhouse has been brilliantly engineered.
The set even comes with a screwdriver and some sandpaper to roughen the inside walls, which helps provide extra grip for baby birds when they first learn to leave the birdhouse.
Buy now £26.95, Amazon
RSPCA DIY Bird Nesting Box
Slightly easier for smaller hands, this DIY bird nesting box kit comes with wood glue as well as screws. Suitable for the great tit and other small outdoor birds, it’s lightweight, easy to set up, and can even be decorated with non-toxic paints or felt-tip pens, should you have any lying around.
Buy now £22.00, RSPCA
