This craft was shared with me by my daughter's former preschool teacher, Ms. Jane. This project uses a plastic coffee can, but any tall plastic container with a lid will work. A hint as you work on this project-- mixing a little bit of school glue with the craft paint helps the color adhere to the plastic container.
Materials needed:
- plastic coffee can or similar container with plastic lid
- acrylic paints (colors depend on your design)
- paint brushes
- razor knife and/or scissors
- awl or something to poke holes
- glue
- piece of dowel or sturdy twig
- googly eyes (optional)
- pipe cleaners
- plastic embroidery canvas
- Mod Podge or spray acrylic
I used empty tin coffee cans to make the birdhouses for decorative purposes only. If you want to use the houses outdoors, use plastic cans, as tin or metal would get too hot for the birds.
1. Decide what you want to make. I made a ladybug, butterfly, cricket, and bumblebee. You can really make anything you can imagine.
2. Paint the cans with acrylic paints. Apply several coats and allow to dry between each. 
3. Cut an opening in the lid for the mouth and make a hole for the perch to fit your dowel or stick.
4. Paint on eyes, or glue on googly eyes, if you prefer. 
5. Poke two holes in the can, weave a pipe cleaner through and shape for antennas.
6. Cut plastic embroidery canvas to desired shape for wings and paint with the acrylic paint. Cut slits in the sides of the can and insert the wings.
7. Cut two holes in the top and insert black electrical wire to hang the birdhouse.
8. To finish off and keep it from scratching, use Mod Podge or clear spray acrylic.
That's it ~ A fun craft and the kids love it!!!
