Ways2Raise

What is it?

Building and selling bird boxes is a fantastic eco-friendly fundraiser that combines woodworking, wildlife conservation, and enterprise. Bird boxes are simple to make from cheap or scrap wood, and they sell brilliantly at spring and summer fetes, local markets, and through social media. They are particularly popular in the spring nesting season (February–May) when birds are actively looking for nesting sites.

What you need

Scrap wood or cheap untreated timber (ask a local timber merchant or DIY store for offcuts)
Basic woodworking tools: saw, hammer, nails or screws, sandpaper
Wood glue
Non-toxic, water-based paint or wood stain for decoration
A drill with a 32mm hole saw bit for the entrance hole
A jigsaw or handsaw for cutting the wood to size

Step-by-step plan

Source your wood. Ask a local timber merchant, DIY store, or construction site for free offcuts. You need approximately 1.5m of 15cm-wide timber per box.

Cut the wood to size. A standard bird box requires: a front panel (20cm x 15cm), a back panel (30cm x 15cm), two side panels (20cm x 15cm), a roof panel (20cm x 18cm), and a base panel (10cm x 15cm).

Drill a 32mm entrance hole in the front panel, approximately 5cm from the top.

Assemble the box using wood glue and nails or screws. Ensure the roof is slightly angled to allow rainwater to run off.

Sand the outside of the box smooth and paint or stain it in attractive colours.

Sell the boxes at a local spring fete, market, or through local Facebook groups. Price them at £8–£15 each.

How to advertise it

Post photos of your finished bird boxes on Instagram and local Facebook groups
Sell at local spring fetes and garden centres
Ask your school if you can sell them at the school gate in spring
Offer personalised boxes with house numbers or family names painted on them for a premium
Contact local wildlife organisations who may promote your sale to their members

Realistic earnings

If you make 15 bird boxes at a material cost of £3 each (£45 total) and sell them at £10 each, you raise £150 with a profit of £105. Personalised boxes can sell for £15–£20 each.

Top tips

✅ Use untreated wood — treated wood can be harmful to birds

✅ Make sure the entrance hole is the correct size for the birds in your area (32mm for blue tits and great tits)

✅ Add a small hook or screw to the back of the box so buyers can hang it easily

✅ Sell in spring (February–May) when demand is highest

Common mistakes to avoid

⚠️ Using treated or painted wood on the inside of the box — this can be harmful to birds

⚠️ Making the entrance hole too large — larger holes attract larger birds and predators

⚠️ Not sanding the wood smooth — rough edges can injure birds

⚠️ Selling in winter when demand is lowest