Garden Links

A 'Cheap' Childrens Birdwatching Christmas Present

21st December, 2008
Christmas - Garden Birdwatching for Kids

Introducing your children to birdwatching can sow the seeds of a lifelong interest in nature and the environment. As well as being enjoyable and a change from staring at a TV screen, it is also educational.

Just getting them to sit looking for birds might bring about objections of it being 'boring', but with a bit of structure it can seem more like a challenge, and the kids like the feeling of doing something responsible.

I've created a downloadable garden bird data sheet that can be used to record what they see, and it has clear instructions on how to do the birdwatch. Items that you might need to sort out for them are; a bit of bird food, a cheap pair of childrens binoculars, a thermometer - (you can get these from pound shops and supermarkets very cheaply) and a small bird guide book. I recommend the Collins Gem book of Garden Birds, a small compact book perfect for small hands. It is £4.74 on Amazon BUY NOW

The bird watch lasts for an hour and the kids have to write down the weather, the time and date, and temperature outside. They then use the data sheet and book to count the birds that visit. Once completed they need to be put in a folder or envelope, the next time boredom strikes suggest they do another birdwatch. Over time they will be able to compare and contrast the different days and see what differences there are.

You can download the PDF of the instructions and data sheet HERE

Putting together the items needed to carry out the bird watch, makes an affordable and interesting Christmas present that they will be able to use many times throughout the year.