Thursday, September 25, 2025

The Backyard Critter House Challenge | No-Glue DIY Fun for Kids

What if your backyard critters had a home built just for them? That’s exactly what we tried last weekend — and it turned into one of the most fun (and slightly rushed!) DIY challenges we’ve done so far.

A critter house is a simple, cozy structure built for our native backyard animals like squirrels, birds, bunnies, chipmunks or frogs. It’s a way for kids to care for nature while stretching their imagination and problem-solving skills.

But here’s the catch: No glue. No tape. No stapler pins. Only creativity, fast thinking, and the materials at hand!

critter house diy kids cardboard

The Supplies We Used

Gather these simple items you probably already have at home:

  • Cardboard sheets (8x8 inch squares)
  • Paper cups & tissue paper rolls
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Cloth clips
  • Paper fasteners & push pins
  • Bottle caps
  • Ice cream sticks
  • Color paper
  • Rubber bands & thread
  • Pencils & plastic loop locks

No adhesives, no shortcuts — just pure imagination!

The 1.5 Hour Challenge

The rules were simple:

  • Build a critter house within 1.5 hours
  • Use only the allowed materials
  • Add playful, cozy features for the animal
  • Work fast and think creatively under the time limit

Our Critter House Story

We decided to make a squirrel house. At first, LO tried joining cardboard pieces by interlocking them — but that didn’t work as planned. Next, we tied pieces with thread, only to find it too loose and unstable. Finally, pipe cleaners came to the rescue — sturdy, flexible, and perfect for holding everything together.

And here’s what we ended up with:

A hanging house with:

  • Stairs (made from ice cream sticks and pipe cleaners)
  • A cup to collect rainwater for the squirrel to drink
  • A swing to play on
  • Tissue roll tunnels to crawl through
  • And plenty of little corners to explore

We were literally racing against the clock to finish — but that made it even more exciting. And when we hung up the finished house outside, it felt like we had created a tiny playground just for our furry little visitor.

DIY cardboard kids critter house activity

Why This Challenge is Amazing for Kids 🌱

This project isn’t just about building — it’s about:

  • Creativity under constraints
  • Problem-solving when one idea fails
  • Quick decision-making
  • Caring for local wildlife

And trust me, the joy of seeing their finished critter house is priceless!

Your Turn! 🚀

Gather your supplies, set the timer, and let your kids take on the Backyard Critter House Challenge. Whether it’s a bunny burrow, a bird nest, or a squirrel swing-house like ours — you’ll be amazed at what they dream up in just 1.5 hours.

So, are you ready to spark your child’s creativity and give a cozy corner to your backyard friends? Try it today — and don’t forget to share your creations! 🌿✨

Happy Parenting !


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