You don’t need to spend money or visit a garden store to add something special to your backyard. If you’ve got a few old items lying around, you’ve got the makings of a bird bath. It’s an easy weekend project that gives birds a place to drink and clean their feathers, and gives you something nice to look at. Here’s how to make a bird bath using things you probably already have.
What You’ll Need
Most of this stuff is easy to find around the house, at a garage sale, or a thrift store:
- A large, shallow bowl or plate (ceramic, glass, or plastic)
- A base: flower pot (upside down), old stool, or stack of bricks
- Rocks or marbles (optional, but helps birds grip)
- Waterproof glue (if you want to make it permanent)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Choose Your Bowl
Look for something wide and shallow. An old serving dish, a chipped salad bowl, or even the top of a broken bird feeder works great. It doesn’t need to be fancy—just watertight and not too deep (2 inches is ideal).
2. Pick a Base
The base needs to be sturdy. Flip over a flower pot, use a tree stump, or pile up bricks. If it’s stable and keeps the bowl off the ground, it works. The height helps keep the birds safe from predators.
3. Secure It (Optional)
If you want to make it permanent, use waterproof glue to attach the bowl to the base. But if you’d rather switch things up later or bring it in for winter, leave it loose.
4. Add Some Grip
Drop a few small rocks or marbles into the bowl. Birds like a little traction, making it easier for them to land and drink.
5. Fill with Fresh Water
Keep the water shallow, clean, and fresh. Refill every couple of days, especially in the summer.
A Few Extra Tips
- Put your bird bath in a shady spot to keep the water cool.
- Rinse it out with a brush once a week to prevent algae.
- Keep it near some bushes or trees—birds like to feel safe.
Making a bird bath from recycled stuff isn’t just simple—it’s also a smart way to reuse what you have. Plus, it gives local birds a reason to visit your yard. So before you toss that old bowl or flower pot, give it a second life as a backyard watering hole. Nature will thank you.