Ridge Park kindergarteners build bird feeders for Earth Day

Local birds will have some creative dining options this spring, thanks to the kindergarteners at Ridge Park Elementary School.

To celebrate Earth Day, students were challenged to design and build their own bird feeders using recycled materials. The project combined creativity with sustainability, giving young learners a hands-on way to think about reusing materials that would normally be thrown away to make something new.

Jack Charney crafted his bird feeder using a small cardboard box, milk carton, and toilet paper roll. He explained how it works: “The seeds drop down into the box, so the birds have something to eat.”

Students followed three simple guidelines: their bird feeders needed a place for birds to perch, a container to hold birdseed, and a way to hang or place the feeder securely.

Hallway tables were filled with cardboard tubes, plastic containers, Styrofoam cups, ribbon, and other reusable materials. After selecting their supplies, students returned to the classroom, where parent volunteers assisted with cutting, gluing, and offering structural advice when needed.

“We’re here to support their ideas,” said kindergarten teacher Sarah Guckavan. “Kindergarteners are so used to step one, step two, step three from their teachers or their adults. In this case, they had to come up with their process and their own creations.”

Joey Dwyer especially appreciated the creative freedom. “It’s fun, because I get to use my imagination,” he said.

Beyond the finished bird feeders, the project helped students build important STEM skills, like brainstorming, problem-solving, and perseverance—while also showing them how small actions can make a positive impact on the environment.