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Have you ever found a bird’s nest while exploring outside? They are absolutely amazing. What makes it even more incredible is that little creatures do it all with no hands. It inspired me to create a STEM challenge for kids. Why not have the kids try and build a nest?!

I love STEM challenges for kids because they make kids think. Also, kids use the scientific method in a meaningful way. They don’t even realize they are using it.

The bird’s nest challenge is an engineering challenge, though kids will also use science, at the very least. Some may incorporate math skills with measurements, estimation, and weights. 

So, here is the challenge.

STEM Challenge for Kids

Bird Nest Challenge:

Build a bird’s nest using materials you find outside. See how sturdy you can make it.

The challenge sounds pretty simple, huh?! 

However, it isn’t as simple as it sounds. 

First Steps

First, kids need to act like a scientist and use the scientific method to help them get started. They need to ask a question. For this, the question could be: 

• What do birds use to make their nests?
• How do birds make nests? 
• What does a ______ use to make their nest? (robin, chickadee, Phoebe, etc.)

The question needs to help them complete the challenge.

Next, kids need to research. Use books, the internet, ask specialists, whatever it takes to find some answers. At DK Find Out, they give a brief summary of how birds build nests and have some pictures of different nests.

If kids start to get into learning about birds and want to take it further, they might like to do a more in-depth Bird Study. 

Once the kids think they have an idea of how nests are built, it is time to get started.

Let the Nest Building Begin

Now the fun begins. Get the kids outside looking for things to make their nests with. Here are some materials we thought might work.

The kids can collect the materials and go inside, or work on it outside. I will say it can get kind of messy.

While kids are building, encourage them to use the information they got while researching to help them build their nest. This STEM challenge is… well, a challenge. 

Kiddos might need a reminder that they are NOT birds. Some kids may get a little flustered if they can’t make the nest like a bird. They need to keep in mind that they want to try and build the best nest they can. Here is what our final nest looked like. 

Notice, the nest is not very sturdy. We learned a lot about making nests, though, and birds thoroughly amaze me in their building skills. 

Lessons to Take Away from this STEM Challenge

I’m sure the kids’ nests probably don’t hold together very well. Although, you could have a budding engineer or a determined child that made it work. It is the kind of challenge; however, that shows kids how to research, plan, and try something. It also helps kids understand all the work and challenges birds go through.

Now is the time for kids to reflect on how things went. 

• How did it go?
• Was it as easy or as hard as they thought?
• Did certain materials work well?
• What would they need for it to work better?

For me, I realized sticks would not work well unless they were much smaller. The moss, as the base, worked pretty well. If I had time and patience, weaving the long dry grass would probably work. 

It will be interesting to see what lessons your kids will learn.

I have included some helpful worksheets to use with this and other STEM challenges.

If your kids enjoy outdoor STEM challenges, they may also want to try the hammock challenge. It is another perfect outdoor activity.

Or maybe your want other bird-related activities to do with kids. I have over 20+ Bird Activities for you to check out too.

So give this bird nest STEM challenge a try sometime. Kids will think like a scientist, use some engineering skills, and use some good old critical thinking to work through this challenge. Oh, not to mention, it is super fun. See what your kids can come up with. I’d love to hear how it goes.

Happy Homeschooling!