How to Make a Bird Nest by Weaving Natural Materials

Have you quietly observed the building of a bird’s nest? It’s mesmerizing. Perhaps you’ve stumbled on a fallen nest and it left you wondering how the intricate masterpiece was assembled with only two feet and a beak.

Nests are magical and you’ll be delighted to know that you too can make a bird nest using natural materials!

Be sure to get the kids involved. They will love weaving the natural materials with their fingertips.

This activity is perfect for:

• Easter or spring lessons
• A lifecycle or bird unit
• Promoting mindfulness and rest
• Developing fine motor skills

Bird Nest Materials:

• Bucket of warm water
• Palm fruit stands, vines, or a similar long, flexible material
• Grass seed strands
• A little feather

How to make a bird nest

Watch the video and if you need more detail, read the steps below.

1. Once you have collected your materials, put them in a bucket of warm water for at least half an hour, overnight is best. This makes them flexible and easier to weave with.
2. Grab some palm strands and overlap them in your hands to make a star.  You’ll need to use at least three strands but you can have more. I will refer to these as the spokes.
3. Use another palm strand to tie the spokes together. Weave the strand around the others going in between each and flipping the end under one of the strands to secure it. 
4. It’s important to chop one of the spokes off to ensure you have an odd number of spokes coming out of the middle.  This helps the weave alternate from over to under each time you go around the strands.
5. Time for the fun part. Secure the end of one palm strand or vine strand within the knots of the last, usually by squeezing it in between two other strands. Then, weave it around the spokes, over and under.  Once you run out of strands/vines add more the same way and keep weaving it around the circle.
6. To make the nest curve up, start weaving it tighter, as soon as you do this, you’ll see the spokes lift up and it will quickly form the shape of the nest as you continue to weave your strands through.
7.  Once you’re happy with the nest, you can cut off the excess spokes but keep a good 1 inch, so that you can weave it into the nest.
8. Lastly, add some little extra bits to your nest to give it extra texture and color. We added grass seed strands and a feather.

You should have a glorious little bird nest of your own ready to hang up in a tree. Add a decorated egg to your nest, or a few little berries.

Now you have the skills to teach others how to make a bird nest too!

More bird nest activities

• Make a recycled human-sized bird nest
• Build your own bird hide
• Nest and bird craft