Birdwatching and Kids

Introducing your kids to birdwatching is an opportunity to instill the value of nature and love for animals. It’s a way for kids to experience the outdoors while improving important skill-sets, such as communication, observation, sketching, and more.

For parents, the excitement when their young one identifies their first bird or sees a bird they were hoping to find is the reward. And the time spent together forms bonds and lasting memories.

Here’s a checklist of what you need to help get you and your kids get started on your new hobby:

1. Kid binoculars: they don’t have to be expensive, but they do have to fit your child. Make sure to take your child with you when selecting a pair. It will help foster the excitement for the upcoming birdwatching adventure.

Before you go: make sure to practice using the binoculars with your child. This gives you the opportunity to teach your child the best use and care practices, including using the neck strap at all times and how to clean the lenses properly.

2. Bird book: the book will help your kids identify the birds and improve their observation skills. They’ll start to hone in on the bird’s appearance, color, size, and shape… great opportunities to strengthen vocabulary.

Before you go: identify the common birds in the area and make a list of what you may see on your birdwatching adventure. This gives your child a chance to study the birds so they’ll be more likely to identify them in the wild. Comparing the birds is a great way to improve their observation skills.

3. Camera: not only great for capturing the memories of the day, it also gives your kids another way to become involved in the birdwatching, or developing another hobby…photography! You can make it a fun challenge by seeing how many different birds they can capture on film. Try to break the record each future birdwatching trip.

Before you go: review the camera’s features and how to take photos. That way, your child will be spending less time fiddling with the camera and more time birdwatching.

4: Notebook and pencils: your child can sketch the birds they see, improving their observation and drawing skills. Or, they can write down what they see, helping to identify birds later, if needed.

Before you go: review what types of things your kid should focus on and record so the birds can be identified.

Being prepared makes for a more rewarding trip. Plus, it gets your kids excited about birdwatching.