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Birdwatching For Kids: 24 Brilliant Benefits and Life Skills (Free)

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Birdwatching for kids is an amazing activity to encourage and enjoy. This popular hobby and sport has so many incredible benefits. Plus, your children (and you) can learn and practice essential life skills.

Now that my younger boys have taken up birdwatching, I've been delighted how their interests have spread throughout our family. We're all learning so much and having fun together.

Find out more about the positive experiences that kids can have through birdwatching. I'm also sharing my tips and ideas for encouraging a love of birding with your students!

Related: Find more amazing ways to give your kids a boost with our free printable emotional intelligence activities pack!

Woman holding blue clipboard with life skills learned through birdwatching for kids with examples and bird books in the background.

Help Your Kids Soar and Have Fun with Birds

Do you have a child that's become interested in birds? Maybe you're preparing for a unit study or science unit about these feathered creatures? Or perhaps you'd like an engaging activity to encourage your children to try a new hobby or develop a life-long passion?

Well, I certainly hope that these ideas and tips for birdwatching with kids can help!

"Whoa! Mom, what was that sound? Oh, I think it came from that bird over there! What bird is that?"

During a walk around our yard last fall, Bear (boy #4) started asking me a bunch of questions about the birds in our yard. His interest was piqued. And I knew that once that spark of curiosity was lit, we would soon embark upon a big learning adventure!

I felt kind of embarrassed. Although I think birds are beautiful creatures (and we have a grey cockatiel named Gandalf the Grey who is the sweetest!), I never knew much about identifying birds. Sure, I could pick out a cardinal or blue jay. But, my extend of bird knowledge was very limited.

So, when Bear and I went inside, I dug out some books about birds. We read through those resources and watching educational videos. And Bear's desire to learn more about bird just grew and grew!

I love to do all that I can to boost one of my boys' interests. We ordered a pair of binoculars and he started a bird watching log book. He found all sorts of fantastic books at our local library. And saved money to order more. Oh, and Bear is working on Bird Science for homeschool enrichment this summer!

The best part: Bear's enthusiasm for birdwatching has been such a positive influence on our family! His passion has been contagious. We now have a variety of bird feeders (including hummingbird) and baths in our yard. When a new type of bird is identified, it's like a party!

I wanted to share our experiences with learning more about birds with you, in case you're looking for a new interest, hobby, or educational pursuit for your children. Don't be surprised when you want to join in all the fun!

Cover and pages from free printable set of life skills that kids learn through birdwatching.

Learn More About This Free Printable Life Skills Learned Through Birdwatching Pack

This free printable set has 2 pages (plus cover page). These printables explain over 24 life skills associated with birdwatching. Each page has 12 life skills plus descriptions and examples.

These benefits and skills range from practical to growth mindset and beyond.

The life skills through birdwatching with kids includes in this set are:

  • Responsibility
  • Social Skills
  • Listening Skills
  • Resilience & Adaptability
  • Cultural Awareness
  • Goal Setting & Achievement
  • Leadership Skills
  • Time Management
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Photography
  • Data Collection & Record Keeping
  • Technology Skills
  • Observation Skills
  • Patience & Concentration
  • Scientific Inquiry
  • Environmental Awareness
  • Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
  • Memory & Recall
  • Language & Communication
  • Physical Fitness
  • Empathy & Compassion
  • Teamwork & Collaboration
  • Map Reading & Navigation
  • Artistic Skills

Creative Ideas for Encouraging and Enjoying Birdwatching

There are many ways to inspire your students to take up birdwatching. I think it's one of the things that I love about this interest the most - you don't need a lot of supplies or expensive equipment to get started.

We've used these ideas and tips to identify birds in our backyard and local walking trail. We live in western Pennsylvania and have seen:

  • Northern cardinals
  • Tufted titmouses
  • Blue jays
  • Mourning doves
  • Common grackles
  • American robins
  • American goldfinches
  • House sparrows
  • Carolina wrens
  • House finches
  • Black-capped chickadees
  • Red-bellied woodpeckers
  • Red-winged blackbirds
  • Northern flickers
  • And MORE!

Go to your local library and search your bookshelves. What books and other materials do you have with information on birds? Put those resources out in easy-to-access and frequently visited areas.

When you sit down for a meal or quiet reading time, turn off any extraneous noises or screens. Simply listen to what's going on outside. Do you hear any birds? Record and try to identify their songs.

Take a hike or nature walk. Go at a relaxed pace. Keep your eyes and ears open to what's going on around you. Quietly make note of any birds you see.

Watch videos and documentaries about bird life. Listen to podcasts about birdwatching. We've really been enjoying podcasts like The Science of Birds and Bird of the Week.

Remarkable Resources for Learning More About Birding

I thought it might help to share the books that Bear and our family have been using to learn more about birds and birdwatching. Some of these resources are also on our wishlist!

Audubon Birding Adventures for Kids: Activities and Ideas for Watching, Feeding, and Housing Our Feathered FriendsAudubon Birding Adventures for Kids: Activities and Ideas for Watching, Feeding, and Housing Our Feathered FriendsBirdwatching For KidsBirdwatching For KidsNational Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America, Second EditionNational Geographic Kids Bird Guide of North America, Second EditionNorth American Bird Watching for Beginners: Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your Birding AdventuresNorth American Bird Watching for Beginners: Field Notes on 150 Species to Start Your Birding AdventuresWhat It's Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing--What Birds Are Doing, and Why (Sibley Guides)What It's Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing--What Birds Are Doing, and Why (Sibley Guides)Ten Birds That Changed the WorldTen Birds That Changed the World

 

Get Your Free Printable Pack of Birdwatching Life Skills for Kids

High five! I think it's totally awesome that you're interested in finding new ways to inspire and motivate your children.

This free pack of birdwatching life skills for kids includes two printable pages (plus cover page).

Print as many copies of this pack as you need. If you have co-workers or friends who might like to use these free printables, please share this postThank you for your cooperation and sharing!

To get this FREE printable pack of life skills that kids learn through birdwatching, subscribe to Rock Your Homeschool with your email address.

⭐️ You’ll receive an email with a PDF file plus a password to open the VIP Resource Library to all RYHS freebies. Email Amy at rockyourhomeschool@gmail.com if you have any problems!

Oh, and you’ll get emails with ideas, resources, and encouragement to make life and learning fun 🙂

(Current VIP Member? Go to the VIP Resource Library and enter the password in your welcome email.)

Get your Free Printable Set of Life Skills That Kids Learn Through Birdwatching now!

Examples of free printable life skills that kids learn through birdwatching with blue bird.

If you're looking for a new hobby or educational pursuit for your kids, give birdwatching a try. And get ready for a fun-filled adventure!

Do you have any questions about our birdwatching experiences or resources that we recommend? Or do you have ideas that you'd add to our list?

⭐ Also, Bear would LOVE to know what birds you have in your area! Please let us know in the comments area at the bottom of this post.

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