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Do you have a budding ornithologist (bird scientist)? Maybe you have a child that just loves watching birds? Birds are a lot of fun to learn about. They have amazing flying skills, superb building abilities, and vary from region to region. The best part is that birds are easy to study because everyone has birds where they live. If you scour the internet, you will find so many bird activities out there, too.
I decided I’d compile a list of different bird activities to help you out. I know it can be time-consuming searching for a variety of activities to do. That is why I did the work for you. Check out the bird activities below that kids are sure to love.
Bird Activities for Kids
I have decided to list the activities in different categories, so you can easily find what is right for your family. I broke things down into crafts, bird cams, cooking projects, and Unit Studes.
So, let’s get started.
Bird Art and Craft Ideas and Activities
Below you will find links to great bird art and craft projects for a variety of ages. I know many families are teaching a range of ages in their homeschool.
*25+ Easy Bird Crafts for Toddlers and Preschoolers– Happy Hooligans
Here you can find craft projects with paper plates, toilet paper tubes, and cupcake liners. There are crafts just on crows, owls, and chicks. Other projects will allow kids to get creative and make any bird they can imagine.
*Bird Crafts Activities for Children– DLTK Kids
On this site, you can search for crafts by bird type. Within each bird section, there are many different crafts that are suitable for preschoolers to elementary kids in your home.
*How to Make a Flying Paper Bird Craft– Paper Magic
In this YouTube tutorial, kids will learn how to make a flying paper swallow. It is a super cute craft kids of all ages should enjoy. It only involves some cutting and gluing. Not too hard.
*Easy Origami Bird For Kids– Red Ted Art
Red Ted Art has fabulous crafts! If your kids want to try some easy origami birds, give this one a try.
*20 Fun Bird Crafts for Adults– The Crafty Blog Stalker
If you want your teens to join in the fun (or maybe you do), check out these fun bird crafts for adults. They are appropriate for teens, too.
*Milk Carton Bird Feeder– Crayola
I love this milk carton bird feeder craft because the feeder looks like a bird. You will need to cut some holes for your kiddos, but then the kids do the painting and decorating. Kids of all ages can join in this craft project. Crayola has a short, easy to follow YouTube video to help.
Bird-Themed STEM
*Build a Bird Nest STEM Challenge– The Secret Life of Homeschoolers
STEM Challenges are so much fun AND they get kids thinking. In this challenge, kids learn the challenges birds face when trying to build a bird nest.
*Build a Bird Beak: Engineering Challenge– Smart Chick
In this STEM challenge, kids construct a beak. You can find this on a Teachers Pay Teachers site. It is only $2.00 and recommended for grades 3-5.
*Build a Bird Cage– Line Upon Line Learning
The bird cage challenge is interesting. Kids listen to a picture book which is the springboard for this challenge. I encourage you to check it out. I love incorporating literature in learning.
Bird Cams
Do your kids love watching birds? For days you can’t go out bird watching, check out some bird cameras. Kids can observe a variety of birds they may not even see in their part of the world.
*All About Birds– Cornell Labs has bird cams to watch different types of birds. You can view hummingbirds, albatross, and osprey to name a few. They also provide video highlights from past images caught on their cameras.
*Audubon– The Audubon has a variety of live bird cams, both live and highlights from a live feed. You can watch many different birds from California to Maine and several states in between. It is a wonderful way for kiddos to see how various birds act in the wild.
*Explore– On this site, they have a number of live cams for birds and other animals, too. The live camera link is for a Panama Fruit Feeder cam. You can click on Birds at the top to find other birds to observe.
Bird Cooking Activities
Learning is so much more fun with food. Check out these ideas for food projects to add to your bird activities.
Snacks and desserts:
*Chick Crackers– Super Healthy Kids
Kids can easily make this snack. It is cheese and crackers with a twist. In the end, kids have a healthy snack they can make themselves.
*Apple Bird Snack- Crafty Morning
If your kids like apples, they will love eating apples made into birds. You also use a few other fruits to make the eyes and beak of the bird.
*Bird Nest Cookies– A Mom’s Impression
I LOVE making these cookies with kids. They are super easy and delicious. If it is the wrong time of year for chocolate mini eggs, you can always use jelly beans or other oval candy found in the candy section in the grocery store.
*Easy Baby Bird Treats– Kitchen Fun with My Three Sons
Similar to the bird nest cookies, the baby bird treats make little nests. However, the nests are made of pretzel sticks and baby birds are in the nest (made with Robin Eggs candy).
*Chick Cupcakes– A Cultivated Nest
I like this chic cupcake recipe because it gives a simple way to decorate your cupcakes to look like chicks. It uses coconut for the topping.
If you don’t like coconut, check out Home Sweet Mama Mia for another easy decorating idea. Click here to see it. Hint: It uses sugar!
Bird-Themed Meal Ideas
*Owl Pancakes– Prairie Farms
What better way to start a day of bird activities but with owl pancakes. Make the pancakes and decorate with fruit!
*Angry Birds Pizza– Endlessly Inspired
The Angry Birds fans in your house will enjoy making this pizza. You could also adapt it to look like other birds if you don’t want so much pepperoni.
*Twig and Berries– Buggie and Jellybean
Want a bird-themed lunch?! Check out these tortilla bird-shaped sandwiches with pretzel and berry nests.
Hopefully, this list will get you started. There is just so much out there! You can make a whole bird-themed menu for the day with the ideas above. Little ones can help make and decorate the edible bird projects while bigger kids can make some all on their own.
Bird Unit Studies
If you want to go beyond craft projects and food ideas, here are some bird unit studies to add to all your other bird activities. Some are mini units and some are more involved. See if you find any that fits your family’s needs.
*Bird Study– The Secret Life of Homeschoolers
I created a mini-unit for families to study the birds in their own backyard. I have FREE worksheets to help you organize your study. You will also find bird book ideas, apps for bird identification, and journal ideas.
*Backyard Birds Unit Study– Embark on the Journey
You can download this unit study for FREE when you subscribe to the site. It includes booklists, activities, and other useful downloads for kids K-5.
*Bird Study Unit: Homeschool Lessons and Printables– Happy Strong Home
If you want a unit study that will include multiple subjects, this may be the bird study you are looking for. It includes 18 pages you can download and use in your home. It covers bird anatomy, books, art, and more.
*Montessori-Inspired Bird Unit– Living Montessori Now
Okay, this is one of my favorite sites. I used to incorporate many Montessori principles in my preschool years ago. This site was SO helpful. Now they have a round-up of a variety of bird unit ideas for you to choose from. Check it out.
If you still want to take your learning further, check out My Teaching Library. They have more resources to help you extend your learning about birds.
Bird Activities for Kids
Birds are so much fun to learn about. I hope this compilation of bird activities helps you add a little fun to your homeschool. I listed some crafts, activities, bird cams, food ideas, and unit studies. Don’t forget to check your local library for fun bird books to add to it all.
Have fun and Happy Homeschooling!
