25 DIY Squirrel Feeder Plans For Your Backyard

A DIY squirrel feeder is an inexpensive way to provide food for wildlife and entertainment for yourself. Squirrels are fascinating to watching as they scurry around the yard and climb trees. Once they discover the feeder you have built for them, they will return time and time again.

A DIY squirrel feeder can be built with designer flare to display your own personal flare, or one can be built with minimal effort. Check out our list of these 25 DIY squirrel feeder plans we have found for you to get an idea of what you would like to build and free plans that will show you how to create your favorite squirrel feeder.

1- Saloon DIY Squirrel Feeder

Why have an ordinary squirrel feeder in your backyard when you can have a saloon for your furry friends to visit?

Learn how to build a mini saloon squirrel feeder in this YouTube video. This unique feeder is easy to build and can be completed in just one afternoon with these detailed plans. Decorate and add details that suit your taste and create a one of a kind feeder.

2- Table and Chair Squirrel Feeder

Set the dinner table for a friendly squirrel with this whimsical DIY squirrel feeder by mycarpentry. A tiny table and chair created from small pieces of leftover lumber are attached to a bottom board so the pieces come together as one unit. A nail is placed in the center of the table so an ear of corn can fit on top of the nail and hold it in place so the squirrel can sit in the chair and eat.

Years of enjoyment can be had by watching squirrel come and eat at this fun table and chair set.

3- Milk Jug Squirrel Feeder Plans

The third one we have is a diy square feeder by thriftyniftymommy that is easy and cheap to make and is a fun DIY project for kids. You probably have the components on hand to build this feeder – a clean plastic milk jug, apple, peanut butter, birdseed, and twine.

Take this idea and improvise if you don’t have the exact components on hand. That way you will be having creative fun with your kids for almost zero money and you will be keeping usable items out of the landfill.

4- Table and Chair Homemade Squirrel Feeder

Use these free squirrel feeder plans to create a table for one. An adorable design that looks good even when a squirrel is not eating a meal. This homemade squirrel feeder by runnerduck features a small table and chair for the animal’s dining pleasure. A nail in the center of the table holds an ear of corn upright while the squirrel gnaws away at the kernels. Paint or water seal the wood and it will last for years.

5- Jar DIY Squirrel Feeder

We recommend this feeder to those who are beginners and would like to build a squirrel feeder but have to DIY skills, then this design is for you. There is no drilling, cutting, measuring or other building knowledge needed. A large mouth glass jar, some wire and a wooden paint stick can be transformed into a fun DIY squirrel feeder by sheknows. Be sure to place it where you can see it so you can enjoy the squirrely dinner show.

6- Slinky Squirrel Feeder

Here is another great idea for creating a DIY squirrel feeder by kiwico without using tools. A child’s slinky tools can be tied with a pipe cleaner to fashion a nut holder. The nut holder is suspended from a tree with a piece of twine. Total cost is under $2. Colorful and easy to re-fill, the squirrels will love it.

7- Choo-Choo Train Squirrel Feeder

This design is perfect for the experienced DIY’er and train enthusiast in your family. Wood, paint and a Mason jar can be transformed into this fun diy squirrel feeder with these free plans by instructables. Squirrels can board this fun red and black choo-choo train and have their own private Mason jar dining car for a meal of tasty nuts.

8- Pine Cone DIY Squirrel Feeder

This is a fun squirrel bird feeder by keatonthefoodie to create with your children. A great rainy day project that will provide hours of fun when the squirrels and bird show up to eat the peanut butter and birdseed meal that is stuck on the pine cones. Attract a wide array of bird species with these tasty food treats.

9- Fork Squirrel Feeder Plan

This homemade squirrel feeder by thepapermama can be created free with items you already have on hand — a wide mouth glass jar, wire and a fork. Attach the fork to the jar with wire so the animals will have a place to perch while they are feasting on the nuts placed inside the jar. The jar is attached to a fence post or any other outdoor structure with more wire. Related: homemade hummingbird feeder

10- Wine Bottle Squirrel Feeder

These detailed instruction will teach you how to recycle an old wine bottle into a fashionable diy squirrel feeder by instructables. Learn how to cut glass and wood to create a long lasting feeder that will attract squirrels and chipmunks. Use scrap wood so the project will cost you almost nothing. Paint or stain the wood to weather proof it.

11- Dinner and a Show Squirrel Feeder Plans

This see-through diy squirrel feeder by familyhandyman provides all onlookers with a show while the squirrels eats dinner. The clear glass jar mounted on a wood frame is easy to fill with nuts and will last a long time. Paint or stain the wood so it will be able to withstand the elements for years. Easy and inexpensive DIY project.

12– Basic Squirrel Feeder Plan

This basic diy squirrel feeder by doityourselfdaddy will attract squirrels over to your yard for a hearty meal. Easy DIY project is a great way to introduce your child to woodworking. Simple design and easy build. Load an ear of dried corn onto the bottom nail and watch the squirrels work on it until every last corn kernel is gone.

13- DIY Squirrel Feeder House

To make squirrels your neighbors, follow these plans to build a welcoming diy squirrel house by creatingreallyawesomefunthings. the open-sided design can hold food and a squirrel comfortably. Paint it a fun color and put your squirrels name on it for a touch of whimsy. All your human neighbors will want you to build a squirrel house for them. Related: bluebird house plans

14- Toilet Paper Roll Homemade Squirrel Feeder

Instead of tossing out those cardboard toilet paper tubes, use this idea for creating a DIY squirrel feeder by myownlittlecircus. Easy and inexpensive, smear peanut butter on the cardboard then roll it in birdseed. Tie a piece of twine or yarn on both ends and suspend it from a tree branch. Both squirrels and bird will find this an irresistible feast. A fun craft project for you and the kids and the squirrels will thank you.

15- Obstacle Course Squirrel Feeder

Birds like the same foods that squirrels enjoy eating and will often fly by and steal the food out of the feeders. This DIY squirrel feeder by instructables contains a mini obstacle course so the birds have a difficult time locating the food inside but squirrels can find it easily.

This bird-frustrating squirrel feeder is easy to build with these free plans and is attractive for use in any part of your landscape.

16- Flat DIY Squirrel Feeder Plans

This is a simple DIY project that you can do with your kids. These free plans will show you how to make a squirrel feeder by weknowstuff that is flat and hidden away from the birds.

This small, flat platform-style feeder can be tucked under a tree branch and out of the view of passing birds. The feeder can be attached directly to the tree or placed atop a pole in the ground.

Use leftover lumber to create this homemade squirrel feeder and the project will be free to build.

17- Recycle Suet Cage Squirrel Feeder Plans

Some people may wonder why would anyone want to build to a squirrel feeder shuch as this one by stuckathomemom and the answer is simple–to keep them out of the bird feeders.

This idea takes a used suet cage that once held bird food and recycles it into a DIY squirrel feeder. Place the homemade squirrel feeder closer to the ground than the bird feeders are located and the squirrels will eat from it and leave the bird feeders alone.

18- Mini Yard Chair Squirrel Feeder Plans

Here is a great idea for recycling outdoor kids’ toys or fairy garden items. These free squirrel feeder plans recycle a mini yard chair into a unique diy squirrel feeder by littlevintagecottage that will provide you with hours of entertainment.

A long screw is placed in the bottom of the chair to hold an ear of corn and the chair is attached to a tree. The squirrels come, have a seat and enjoy a meal of corn.

19- Upcycled Cheese Container Squirrel Feeder Plans

Upcycling is the term used when something old is re-used in a way that makes it even better than it was to start with, and these squirrel feeder plans do just that.

The plastic container that grated Parmesan cheese comes in can easily be upcycled into a DIY squirrel feeder such as thi one by dailyappetite when you follow these simple instructions. Cheap, easy, and fun to make, this will feed the squirrels all summer and keep a usable item out of the trash.

20- Recycled Arcade Machine Squirrel Feeder

Check out these squirrel feeder plans by instructables that show you how to create functional yard art from an old arcade machine.

If you have one of these old school gaming machines that is no longer functional and you don’t know what to do with it, this is a great idea. Transform the arcade machine into an interesting piece of yard art that doubles as a squirrel feeder.

21- Wine Bottle Squirrel Feeder

Make this unique bird proof DIY squirrel feeder with these easy to follow plans by thechickenstreet. Some scrap lumber and a mason jar can be transformed into a feeder that will attract squirrels into your backyard.

In less than an hour, you can create this feeder and it will provide you with many hours of entertainment when the squirrel stops by for a meal.

Related:homemade deer feeders

22- Wooden Box DIY Squirrel Feeder

These squirrel feeder plans show you how to build a simple wooden box feeder that is cheap and functional.

Transform a few pieces of leftover wood into a box-style squirrel feeder that will last for years in this YouTube video. The wooden box can be painted to create a one of kind piece of yard art for your backyard.

Great project for kids to build and/or paint and the squirrels will love it.

23- Squirrel Feeder and Food

A recycled suet cage makes a great diy squirrel feeder such as this one by sciencing but you need special food to place inside of the cage. These squirrel feeder plans will show you how to re-purpose a suet cage and make squirrel food that won’t fall through the cage.

A few cheap food ingredients mixed with peanut butter to bind the ingredients together will stay intact inside of the suet cage and keep the squirrels happy.

24- Under Glass DIY Squirrel Feeder

This design uses a removable glass jar in which the food is placed. The squirrel is enticed by the food and limbs inside the glass jar to eat. This will provide you with a bird’s eye view of what the animal is doing, plus hours of entertainment. Squirrel Under Glass by birdsandblooms is a fun feeder that has a wooden base that is attached to a tree and the easy to remove (and replaceable) glass jar that holds the food.

25- Squirrel Feeder House

The last one in our list is a simple woodworking project that creates a tiny house that is a unique squirrel feeder. Follow these step by step squirrel feeder plans to build this tiny house with a clear plexiglass front so you can watch the squirrels eat in this DIY squirrel feeder by myoutdoorplans.

Related: Bird house plans,

Final Note!

Squirrel feeders are easy to make as they don’t need much woodworking or crafting skills. Any scrap item you have in your hand can be recycled into a diy squirrel feeder. You can select any of these squirrel feeder plans we have shared with you to make the one for your backyard.

Here we have prepared a questionnaire to answer some common questions.

FAQ’s

What can I feed a squirrel?

Consider the things a squirrel would eat in the wild and stick closely to those items. However, even in nature, some food items are not good for squirrels, like pine nuts, sunflowers seeds and dried corn. The squirrels will avoid these foods if there is anything else available to them as these foods will cause them to develop a calcium deficiency.

Acorns, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, pecans, and peanuts are the best food items for squirrels. Small amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables are also good to help supplement a squirrel’s diet.

It’s not safe to attempt to hand feed a squirrel under most circumstances. As a member of the rodent family, squirrels have long, sharp front teeth and are prone to bite when frightened. They can also carry and transmit pests and diseases. There are exceptions when squirrels are raised by humans and become domesticated pets.

Which is squirrel’s most favorite food?

Squirrels are natural hoarders. They fill up as many hiding spots as they can with food throughout spring, summer, and fall so they can feast throughout the winter when food is scarce. This is why nuts are high on their favorite list. Nuts are easy to find, gather, transport, and store and that is the reason nuts are squirrels most favorite food.

Place acorns, walnuts, peanuts, and bits of fresh fruit or vegetables near an outdoor area where you have seen squirrels. It won’t be long before they will discover the food and pack their mouths full of the food and scurry off to the hiding spots to stash the food for the winter.

What do squirrels drink?

In their natural habitat, squirrels would only drink water. You may notice them drinking from a bird bath, mudhole, or other water receptacle.

Since squirrels have adjusted to living close to humans in urban environments, they may also be seen drinking liquids other than water. Beverage cups that contain the remnants of sweet soft drinks are a favorite of the urban squirrel. Cold coffee, milk, or alcohol may also be something you see a squirrel drink if the opportunity arises.

If you want to ensure the squirrels in your landscape have plenty of hydration, place a water receptacle near where you see squirrels and keep it filled with fresh water. Also, be sure to keep trash covered and dispose of beverage containers properly after being outside.