DIY A Handheld Hummingbird Feeder With This Popular Dollar Tree Find

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Summer is the season for outdoor living, whether you're lounging by the pool or hosting a cozy backyard get-together. And if you're lucky, you might spot a few hummingbirds zipping around your garden — one of nature's fast-moving gems. While watching them drink from a hanging feeder can be an experience in itself, what if you could bring it even closer to home? Imagine a hummingbird hovering right at your fingertips. Thanks to a clever Dollar Tree hack, you can make it happen for just $1.25. It's simple, affordable, and entirely doable in a short amount of time, leaving plenty left over to hang out with the birds. You can turn your backyard into an up-close wildlife experience without spending big bucks on specialty feeders.

This trick works because it mimics the design of store-bought feeders, both stationary and handheld, but at a fraction of the cost. Those typically sell for around $10 to $15 on Amazon for a singular feeder. But, all you need for this hack is a small plastic dressing container from Dollar Tree. The clear cup holds just enough nectar or sugar water to attract birds without being cumbersome on your hands. The lid provides a singular feeding hole that, when painted, resembles the small yellow flowers on traditional hanging feeders. Even better, the container's compact size makes it easy to hold still, which is essential when you're trying to earn a hummingbird's trust. Choosing the right cap for this project does matter, as red is the one color that will instantly invite more hummingbirds, acting as a visual cue for the birds. Pair it with homemade sugar water, and you've got a functional hummingbird feeder that's cheap, easy to use, and portable.

Once you're ready to get started, you'll want to grab a pack of Dollar Tree's Cooking Concepts Silicone Travel Dressing Containers. They typically come in multiples, meaning you can experiment with different paint motifs or share the experience with friends. The only downside is they tend to come in packs of 24, which run around $30. There are plenty of ways to reuse jars and containers around your home and garden, so with a bit of imagination, you should have no problem repurposing these bottles for additional storage. You'll want to ensure that you clean the containers thoroughly before putting them to use. You can paint on or attach a ready-made small, yellow flower, similar to the WHYHKJ 10-Piece Yellow Plastic Feeding Port, around the opening of the bottle. 

Mix your homemade hummingbird nectar using four parts water to one part white sugar: skipping the red dye, as it can be harmful to these small birds. Fill the container, screw the lid on tight, and your feeder is ready to go. For an extra pop of red, tie a small, non-toxic red ribbon around the container to help attract curious birds. Just keep it short enough as not to scare them away.

Now comes the fun part: getting the hummingbirds to come close. Start by holding your feeder near flowers or an existing feeder that they frequent. Open the lid of your container to allow the birds access to the hummingbird nectar. Patience is key — these tiny birds are extremely curious, but they are also cautious. It may take a few tries before a hummingbird feels comfortable feeding from your hand, but with a bit of time, you can put your DIY hummingbird feeder made out of household items to good use.