These bird-themed arts and crafts for kids can be done while out birding. To take your kids on a creative journey, try out these engaging activities that combine the joy of birdwatching with artistic expression.
These crafts will nurture your child’s creativity while deepening their connection with nature. Through observation and creativity, they begin to notice the subtle nuances of each bird’s appearance and behavior, leading to a deeper appreciation of the world.
In case you are looking more for bird-related activities and projects to do indoors feel free to check out these other articles with suggestions on nature arts for young birdwaters.
How art activities complement science
While scientific and technological activities allow children to study birds’ behavior and habitats, outdoor arts and crafts activities unlock their creativity and foster a deeper emotional connection with the avian world.
The fusion of these scientific and artistic disciplines nurtures a lifelong passion for birds and nature, inspiring young minds to explore the natural world with curiosity, wonder, and a profound sense of awe.
If the weather is unsuitable many of the craft activities can also be adapted to do once you get back home or to the classroom.
Rather than give a step-by-step guide to each activity, this is a broad overview to give you a wide range of ideas and inspiration to develop your own.
Let’s dive into the delightful world of bird-inspired arts and crafts.
Quick and easy Arts & Crafts Activities to Do While Birding
Nature Sketching
Immerse young birders in the beauty of nature by encouraging them to observe and sketch birds in their natural habitat while birdwatching.
Provide them with sketchbooks and art materials to capture the unique features and movements of the birds they encounter. Sketching not only sharpens their observation skills but also creates a lasting visual memory of their birdwatching experiences.
Bird-themed Doodles
For a quick and fun way to document their birdwatching adventures, kids can create bird-themed doodles in a dedicated sketchbook. These doodles can be simple yet expressive, capturing the essence of the birds they spot.
Doodling allows kids to exercise their imagination and artistic flair while staying fully engaged in the birdwatching excitement.
Natural art sculptures or installations with found objects
Building natural art installations is a wonderful way to encourage children to engage with their natural surroundings while expressing their creativity.
This activity invites young birders to use the materials they find during birding excursions, such as rocks, leaves, flowers, and other elements, to construct temporary sculptures, patterns, or designs directly on the ground.
For example, children can arrange rocks to create a bird’s nest, using leaves and twigs to simulate the cozy interior where eggs might be nestled.
They can arrange colorful flowers in a circular pattern, mimicking the shape of a bird’s plumage or the petals of a blooming flower.
The possibilities are endless, limited only by their imagination and the materials they discover.
Creating art from natural objects
This activity allows children to understand the ephemeral nature of art and the impermanence of the natural world. Unlike traditional art forms that may last for years, these natural installations are temporary, subject to the changing seasons and weather.
This realization fosters a deeper sense of connection with the environment and an understanding of the cyclical nature of life.
Building natural art installations promotes collaboration and teamwork among young birders. They can work together to create larger and more intricate designs or sculptures, sparking conversations about the different elements they incorporate and the stories they wish to convey through their art.
Bird-inspired collages
Bird-inspired collages offer young birders a chance to dive deeper into their artistic exploration. In the same way that they collect an assortment of materials for the art installation, they may like to use feathers, leaves, and other objects for their collage.
If at home, you may like to include magazine cutouts or drawings that feature birds or bird-related imagery.
Equipped with cardboard or paper as a base, along with glue and scissors, children can unleash their creativity as they arrange and glue the materials to form visually captivating bird-inspired collages.
Feather Art
Encourage children to collect feathers they discover while birding.
To get started, provide them with a canvas, art supplies like glue and paint, and let their imagination take flight.
They can arrange the feathers in various patterns and designs, either by gluing them directly onto the canvas or using them as inspiration for paintings and mixed-media collages.
Feather art offers a unique opportunity for children to explore textures, colors, and shapes while celebrating the diversity of birds. The intricate details found in each feather become a source of wonder and appreciation for the avian world.
Moreover, this activity sparks conversations about bird identification as they recall the birds from which the feathers originate. It allows young birders to enrich their birdwatching adventures and brings cherished memories to life through their artwork.
Painting or Drawing Birds in their Natural Habitats
Painting or drawing birds in their natural habitats offers young birders a unique and enriching experience that combines their love for nature with artistic expression.
Armed with paints, brushes, and sketchbooks, children get to observe birds up close and study their colors, patterns, and behaviors.
This activity not only hones their artistic skills but also deepens their understanding of birds and their habitats. Encourage observation skills as they study the colors, patterns, and behaviors of different bird species.
Drawing and painting birds promotes a deeper understanding of the creatures, as well as allowing children to express their artistic talents.
They become more attuned to the intricate details that make each bird unique and learn to capture their essence in their artwork. It encourages them to be curious, explorative, and thoughtful in their approach to birdwatching and art.
Creating Bird-inspired Mobiles or Wind Chimes
Engage children in constructing mobiles or wind chimes inspired by birds. They can gather natural objects like feathers, shells, and small branches, and combine them with colorful strings or ribbons to create unique hanging decorations.
These mobiles or wind chimes can be hung outdoors, creating a delightful visual and auditory experience as they sway in the breeze with soft tinkling and rustling sounds.
Storytelling
Storytelling adds a magical dimension to birdwatching adventures for young nature enthusiasts. Providing children with small notebooks or storyboards gives them a dedicated space to jot down their tales, and add delightful illustrations.
As children weave their narratives, encourage them to incorporate the birds they observe, their behaviors, and the enchanting habitats they call home.
This storytelling activity not only enhances their storytelling skills but also nurtures creative thinking and empathy towards birds and their natural environment.
For those who love writing, this is a great addition to learning how to keep a young birdwatchers’ journal.
Bird Shadow Puppets
To take the stories a step further, consider trying some puppetry. Bird shadow puppets add a touch of magic and storytelling to young birders’ outdoor adventures.
It does require a few more practical resources than simple storytelling. But for kids (and the audience) being able to present their puppet show in a natural setting adds an extra magic.
Using the natural sunlight as their spotlight, kids can create enchanting bird silhouettes that come to life in the form of shadows.
Inspiration from creating puppets
Bird shadow puppets offer numerous benefits for young birders:
– Artistic expression: Creating and manipulating the puppets allows kids to express their creativity and storytelling talents.
– Hands-on learning: As they observe birds closely to sketch their outlines, young birders enhance their knowledge of bird shapes and characteristics.
– Imaginative play: Engaging in puppetry opens up a world of imagination and encourages kids to invent bird stories and adventures.
– Understanding bird behavior: Young birders can gain insights into bird behaviors and movements through the manipulation of the shadow puppets.
– Connection to nature: Bird shadow puppets deepen the connection with the natural world, fostering an appreciation for the beauty of birds and their habitat.
How to Create Bird Shadow Puppets
1. Gather Supplies:
To start this delightful craft, gather the following supplies
– Cardstock or Thick Paper: Sturdy paper is ideal for creating the puppet cutouts, as it holds its shape when casting shadows.
– Pencil: Use a pencil to sketch the outline of different bird species before cutting them out.
– Scissors: Sharp scissors are essential for precise cutting of the bird silhouettes.
2. Choose Bird Silhouettes:
Encourage young birders to observe the birds around them and choose their favorite species for the shadow puppets. They can opt for birds they have spotted on their birdwatching expeditions or create mythical birds inspired by their imagination.
3. Trace and Cut Out the Silhouettes:
With the selected bird species in mind, have the young birders trace the outlines of the birds onto the cardstock using a pencil. They can use field guides or reference images to ensure accuracy. Once the outlines are complete, carefully cut out the bird shapes using scissors. Make sure to cut along the lines precisely to achieve clean and recognizable silhouettes.
4. Puppet Show Adventure:
Now comes the exciting part! Take the completed bird shadow puppets outdoors on a sunny day. Find an open area with ample sunlight, such as a grassy lawn or a smooth surface.
5. Casting Bird Shadows:
Hold the bird silhouettes against the sunlight and watch as the magic unfolds. The natural light will cast the shadows of the bird cutouts on the ground or against a nearby sheet. Young birders can move the puppets and their arms to create the illusion of flying birds, bringing their birdwatching experiences to life through storytelling and puppetry.
6. Encourage Exploration:
Encourage young birders to experiment with the placement of the puppets to create different effects and movements in the shadows. They can explore the interaction of multiple puppets to narrate bird behaviors, such as feeding, flying, or perching.
7. Document the Experience:
As young birders engage in this imaginative play, consider documenting the puppet show adventure with photos or videos. They can create a little storytelling session that showcases their bird shadow puppetry skills.
Outdoor creative activities for young birders – next steps
These creative birding and art projects fit brilliantly with outdoor birding adventures. Engaging children in craft activities like this while outdoors can further enhance their birding experiences.
From nature sketching to building bird-inspired sculptures, each craft activity offers a unique way for kids to express their love for birds and the natural world. Through these creative endeavors, children develop observation skills, storytelling abilities, and an understanding of the delicate balance of ecosystems.
Outdoor arts and crafts foster a sense of stewardship and respect for nature. By using found materials and engaging with the environment, young birders learn to appreciate and protect the habitats that birds rely on for survival.
How arts and crafts promote holistic benefits
Nature art and craft activities for young birders provide a holistic approach to birdwatching, blending artistic expression, learning, and environmental awareness.
This combination of outdoor arts and crafts activities with scientific, technological, and mathematical explorations in birdwatching is essential for providing a comprehensive and enriching experience for young birders.
This integration of diverse approaches enables young birders to develop a profound understanding of birds from a scientific standpoint while cultivating an appreciation for their beauty, grace, and ecological significance through artistic expression.
By encouraging children to explore their creativity while appreciating the beauty of birds, we nurture a generation that values and safeguards the incredible biodiversity that surrounds us.
We hope you feel inspired to read more about why birding can be so beneficial for children.