Bird Nests

Activity: Build a Bird Nest

• Birds are busy building nests right now. Go on a walk and look for nests.

• Notice the different materials the birds use.

• Notice how big the nests are and how many birds and eggs fit inside.

• Say, Hey! I wonder if we could build a bird nest just like these birds!

Materials

• Pictures of birds and nests (find online)

• Paper (to shred)

• String, yarn, pipe cleaners, toothpicks, etc.

• Packing materials

• Small sticks, leaves (mud!)

• Small rocks to represent eggs, a small toy or stuffed animal to represent the bird

Questions and Prompts

• Why do you think the birds chose those materials to build their nests?

• What materials do we need to build our nest?

• What shape should your nest be?

• I wonder why your nest fell apart.

• What would happen if . . . 

• Is your nest strong enough to hold one egg (rock)? Two? Three? What about the mama bird? Let's test it out!

Time

• 15-30 minutes

• Easy to revisit as the weeks go on and you notice more birds and nests in your neighborhood

 Learned and Practiced

• Social-Emotional - connecting with nature, learning about families and relationships

• Language - using descriptive words

• Cognitive - learning more about animal habitats, problem solving, scientific inquiry, close observation, perseverance 

• Physical - getting exercise, fine motor work