Bird Banks 

I was one of those kids who saved her money, in bear-shaped piggy bank that my grandfather painted pink. I loved collecting coins that were "different," such as silver dollars and 50-cent pieces. Try out this friendly, feathered coin bank to get kids excited about saving. Use a clear plastic bottle and they can watch their banks fill up, knowing they've got a pile of savings for an excursion, a toy or a donation.

click to enlarge

materials

• empty, clear plastic bottle (A 2-liter soda or juice bottle works well)
• construction paper in different colors or patterns
• scissors
• glue
• tape
• magazine
• Pipe Cleaners

directions

1. With the bottle upright, cut a slot near the top for the coins. (This step should be done by an adult.)
2. Cut a piece of construction paper to wrap around the body of the bottle, leaving a half-inch gap where the ends of the paper would meet. This will allow kids to see their coins add up.
3. Cut an oval shape from a different color paper and glue it to the belly of the bird bank.
4. Cut two pieces of paper into wing shapes, like an elongated spade, with a pointed end and a rounded end. The rounded end should have a "stem," which you'll use to attach it to the bottle.
5. Tear pieces of magazine pages into inch-long strips to create feathers for the wings. You could use craft feathers instead.
6. Glue the torn pieces of magazine to the wings and allow them to dry.
7. Fold back each wing's stem/tab and use glue to attach them to the side of the bottle.
8. Cut a pipe cleaner into a three-inch length, then fold it in half.
9. Glue this V-shaped pipe cleaner to the bottle cap to create a spiky crest for your bird.
10. Cut out two eyes and a beak and glue them to the face.
11. Cut two pieces of paper into feet shapes and glue them to the ends of two pipe cleaners.
12. Bend the pipe cleaners to create legs and tape the other ends underneath the bottle.
13. Perch your bird in a visible spot to collect coins.