Birdhouse hardware?

Question

I brought home this birdhouse from the workshop where my son is employed.
http://recycledbirdhouse.com/images/bh/other/PF55.jpg
Most of their birdhouses are a lot fancier but I like this one because of the color. We need to add something to keep the front from coming ajar. I know we can just pound in a nail and bend it to keep the flap shut, but we'd like something fancier. Any suggestions? He's home with me for the weekend, and really likes to use tools.
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Thank you for the nice comments. After he had been there for 4 years they asked me to come and volunteer on Fridays, so I did. They made me this one as a thank-you and Christmas present. Yeah. I cried.
http://whozatvoice.com/sewhouse.JPG
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Answer 1

You can get the cutest little rotating things (I have no earthly clue what they're called, but they flop down sideways, almost like a hasp, and keep things shut) at a crafts supplies store. You could also get the little clasp they make to put on wooden boxes. I'm not explaining this very well; they're a hinged piece that flips closed over a little post. They sell them in the section where they sell those little wooden boxes to finish.

Oh, heck, see if you can get to the crafts supplies store and check these little metal thingers out. I have no idea what their names are in English or any other language, either. Sorry. They are really cute and not very expensive.

Answer 2

Use a small piece of similar wood or paint to match. The piece should be about 1/2" x 1.5" with the grain lengthwise. Even a twig will work for this. Get a wood screw an inch or so long. Drill a pilot hole through the middle of wee bit of wood (not lengthwise, the other way). and use the screw to mount the wood bit to fixed area next to the door. If you wish, you can use two of these, one on each side. The screw should go into cross-grain on the wood (looks like it would from the picture). A screw can be tightened a bit or loosened, if necessary, unlike nails which don't loosen in dependable fashion.

Answer 3

I'd go to a REALLY GOOD hardware store and find a nice 'hasp' ... it's on a hinge with one side that fits over a 'half loop' on the other, for a lock ... but you don't need a lock, just a nice wooden 'shim' that you and your son can 'carve' together. It's a really NICE birdhouse, too, by the way ... put the 'hasp' high (above the hole) but low enough to see ... and display that birdhouse proudly, Dad ...it's a BEAUTY.

Answer 4

Try using dowels. By two sizes, one of them less than half the diameter of the other. Make a small cross (drill a hole the diameter of the smaller dowel into the larger - then poke the smaller one through) like this [ -|- ] then drill a hole in the birdhouse and tap the "cross" into it (make sure it fits snugly). Twist the cross to open/close.

Answer 5

http://www.rockler.com/rockler/images/25498-01-200.jpg
I think this is what the other lady was speaking of. I love the style of the house. This might be a bit fancy but check out the hardware section at Ace hardware and I bet you will find the perfect thing!