This page is a constant work in progress. Containing everything useful for birding with young children. From homemade bird feeders, bird books, binoculars for kids and field guids to songs and games. Below you will find links to all the amazing birding references!
Gear/Toys for Birding -
Binoculars - Carson Hawk Kid Binoculars; a must have piece of gear for even the youngest birder. Even when they don't really understand how to use them it is good practice and will make them feel more grown up if they have gear like mom/dad.
Identiflyer - Bird Song Sound Machine; an amazing way for kids to become familiar with what they are hearing while they are looking for/at birds. Helps to make them really understand that not all birds say "tweet tweet".
Complete Birding Backpack - comes with binoculars, several bird guides, children's books and other useful tools for birding outings. A great gift for the little birder in your life!
Bird Identification Resources -
Pocket Naturalist guides; great guides to take on camping or hiking trips when weight/space is an issue.
Adult Bird Guides - Amazon list of great guides for adults. I have several of these and would recommend any of the ones listed.
Bird Activities -
Bird dress-up activity. A great one for in a preschool/elementary classroom.
Bird Feeding activity. Commonly used at nature centers and in classrooms to show how beaks are not all used the same. Great hands-on activities.
Talk Like Birds. Using flash cards and an Identiflyer show kids just how different birds can sound.
Eat Like Birds. Use different household tools to try to pick up and open up different types of bird food options.
Bird Flash Cards. These are homemade ones that my daughter really enjoyed with paired with a local birding poster.
Fly Like Birds. Create wings for your kids to wear and then have them try out all the different ways that birds fly; flapping, gliding, soaring, etc.
Building Like Birds. Use art and messy outdoor play to help kids learn how birds build their nests.
Watch some amazing bird videos. Here are two great close up bird videos with some learning questions to help kids really notice what is going on in the videos.
Homemade Bird Feeders -
Homemade suet recipe.
Simple suet feeder. Made from mesh bag that oranges or onions come in.
Plastic Container feeder. Idea came from Child Central Station.
Garland Bird feeder. Great winter feeder using cranberries and popcorn.
Evergreen branch feeder. Neat, and very pretty, way to use evergreen branches that you have had to trim or have left over from a Christmas tree.
Bird feeding station. Our first attempt at a homemade bird feeding station.
Bird Cookies. This is a simple cooking activity to create cookies that can be hung outside for the birds.
Ornament Bird Feeders. Super simple and fun for kids to make. Does take several days for the whole process.
Orange Peel Bird feeders. Using half an orange peel and homemade suet mixture or peanut butter mixture.
Mesh Bag Nut feeder. Another good use for those mesh bags that onions and oranges come in. Great for bigger birds or for feeding squirrels.
Dried berries to use for bird feeding.
Carboard Juice Container feeder. One of our first feeders and our favorite. Held up really well!
Pine Cone Feeder. The super simple and classic pine cone bird feeder.
Homemade bird feeders - large collection of different recipes and styles of simple homemade bird feeders.
Homemade Bird Houses -
Cardboard Juice Container House. Great project for toddlers/preschoolers. Easy to make and hold up really well.
Children's Books on Birds -
Bird Talk by Ann Jonas
In the Nest by Anna Milbourne and Laurence Cleyet-Merle
Little Green by Keith Baker
Robins and Their Chicks by Linda Tagliaferro
Feather's For Lunch by Eric Carle
Robins, Songbirds of Spring by Mia Posada
Birds Use Their Beaks by Elaine Pascoe
Find the Bird by Stephen Cartwright
Birds by Kevin Henkes
Backyard Bird Watching for Kids by George H. Harrison
Birds, Nests and Eggs; A Take Along Guide by Mel Boring
Fine Feathered Friends; All About Birds (A Cat in the Hat Knows a lot About That book) by Tish Rabe
Miscellaneous -
Bird feeder gift for kids. We made this as a Christmas gift for the kids in Sam's preschool but it would make a great birthday party favor or other holiday gift.
Bloggers, authors, retailers and anybody else if you have a birding resource that you would like to have listed here please send me an email with the resource and we can work out the details for how you get listed!
greeningsamandavery@gmail.com
