I built this play center for  around $60.00.   I had purchased the snow saucer you see used as a catch tray a couple of years ago and I’m thinking it cost around $17.00.  A coat of plastic paint for around $3.00 and it matches my decor.  Of course the brightly colored balls and blocks don’t, but neither do toys when we have children!  The rest is as follows:

    I found these untreated wicker wreaths at Dollar Tree.  They came in three sizes for only $1.00 apiece.

    I used five packages plus one ball out of the sixth pack of these.  They also came from Dollar Tree for only $1.00 per 5 pack.  I thought this was a great bargain. I can stick all kinds of stuff in them for foraging fun!  Plus they keep the birds from chewing the rope.

    I went through two packages of untreated Sisal rope at just under $6.00 each, wrapping the wicker wreaths and stringing the play center.  I wrapped the wreaths to keep the birds from shredding them.  I want this to last a while!  The way it is made, I believe they will enjoy it for a very long time.  
     The Chomp n Chunks at right sell for $9.95 per package and I used

   I feel I must share with you that Gogo, Eclectus Vosmaeri, watched me put this thing together right in our living room and was so excited!  He literally Ooohed and Awed over it and couldn’t wait to get on it when we finally got it hung.  I have since pulled the rings down so the rope does not show and is not accessible to the birds, but I just had to let him get on it!  He’s going to love it and as usual, the price was right!  If you have any questions about our instructions, just send us an e-mail.
Sages@sagesincages.com
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Instructions for building the Hanging Play Center:

Tools needed -
Power drill
3/8” boring bit
Flat head screw driver
Measuring tape

Materials needed -
1. Snow saucer
2. two 100 ft x 1/4” spools of untreated sisal rope
3. One small sized untreated wicker wreath
4. One medium sized untreated wicker wreath
5. One large sized untreated wicker wreath
6. Six 5 packs brightly colored plastic baseballs with holes
7. Nine flat, rectangular untreated wood pieces
8. Twelve square wooden blocks (I used blocks for # 7 and 8 and 9 from the set I bought at K-mart.  (see last issue)
9. Three untreated wooden cylinder shaped blocks or wooden spools
10. Two packs of Chomp-n-Chunks
11. Scotch tape
12. Small zip ties
13. Large stainless steel quick link
14. Swivel ceiling hook