Preschoolers can learn about birds and their habitats while designing and building a simple bird nest. This bird nest activity is a fun way to explore and create with a variety of everyday materials. 

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Ready to shed your heavy winter coat? The sights and sounds of spring are inviting us to enjoy the new season.

•  Plants are growing, warm winds are blowing, and we're ready to dust off the tutorials for spring crafts.

Birds and their nests are a sure sign of spring. They're fun to include in the activities you do with your preschoolers.

This bird nest activity adds STEAM learning to your spring theme. (See more about STEM and STEAM at the end of the post). Kids can experiment with building a nest that will hold pompom 'eggs'.

Related : Bird Nest Made With Burlap

Build a bird nest preschool activity

Here are a few ideas for bird and nest activities as you plan your early learning program. 

1. Include nature walks, hoping to spot a bird nest in a tree.

2. Read books about bird nests and how birds care for their young.

About Birds: A Guide for Children by Catherine Sill

The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman. (Look for this book on YouTube!)

3. Provide hands-on activities like this bird nest craft to explore how birds might build their nests.

Supplies for a bird nest craft

• felt
• cardboard
• yarn/string
• feathers
• pompoms

Disclaimer: This activity is not intended to be used as an actual bird nest (string/yarn can be dangerous for birds).

You can easily use other craft items that would add texture and interest to this project. 

Materials such as felt, yarn, cardboard and paper, can be cut beforehand into small pieces or strips.

Allow time for kids to explore the materials before beginning the activity. 

Instructions for a bird nest craft

1. Cut out a cardboard circle to serve as a base on which to build the nest.

This cardboard circle will also be useful for transporting the bird nest.

2. Spread glue along the outer edge of the circle.

NOTE: Before adding the glue, kids can add and remove pieces to experiment with how the finished nest will look. The materials hold together well enough for kids to stack and shape the bird nest.

Experiment with the size of the nest, which materials to use, and the color of the eggs to place in the nest. 

3. Begin layering materials onto the circle, adding a row of glue between rows of materials.

4. Line the inside of the nest with feathers. Use different colors or a single color like these fluffy brown ones.

Your nest is ready to hold bird eggs. We chose blue pompoms for robin eggs.  

This activity is an easy way for kids to explore and experiment with a variety of materials. The different colors and textures provide interesting sensory play along with promoting the use of fine motor skills.

Explore birds and their homes through books and other resources, then design and build a bird nest using fine motor and creative skills.

 As they experiment, kids will integrate the principles of STEAM through hands-on learning.

Here's why this is a STEAM activity:

STEAM = science + technology + engineering + art + math

Science: gathering information about birds and the nests they build

Technology: cutting and gluing materials

Engineering: planning and building the nest

Art: combining different colors and textures

Math: determining the size of nest and number of eggs in the nest

 STEAM KIDS: 50+ Activities
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