A bird nest in a tree is a fun craft for preschoolers, especially in the spring season. Kids will have fun using foam shapes as paint stamps. Add this art activity to your spring theme with early learners.

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Birds are a sure sign of spring in many areas.  

Robins or other birds swooping in and out of tree branches can often mean a nest is being built. If you are really lucky, you might catch sight of a nest hidden in the branches of a tree.

Birds and their nests provide a fun topic for a spring theme. They promote opportunities for experimenting and observing with early learners. 

Kids love to watch and imitate birds.

• Kids spread their arms as wings as they run and swoop like birds.
• They make bird noises like chirps and caws.

Kids can also imitate trees!

• Spread arms like tree branches. Lift arms up and down and side to side like branches swaying the wind. 
• Crouch low like an acorn seed and slowly rise, spreading arms out slowly to imitate a growing tree.

Extend the pretend play with this bird nest in a tree art activity. 

In this activity, kids can explore how birds might build a nest in a tree.

Related: Bird nest crafts roundup

Bird nest in a tree painting activity

This is a fun art activity with lots of opportunity for creativity.

Kids paint a tree with sponge stamps, then add a bird nest on a branch with an interesting material.

Supplies

• assorted craft paint

• chair foam or similar

• burlap threads

Instructions

Pour paints into a tray.

Cut shapes from chair foam to use as paint stamps to paint the tree and nest. 

• Dip a rectangle in brown paint to make the tree trunk and branches.
• Dip a square in green paint to make leaves.
• Dip the end of a rectangle in a mixture of yellow, red and brown to make the bird nest.

Colors can be mixed in the tray or used separately.

Allow kids the opportunity to be creative with colors and designs. At the end of the post you'll see how differently kids interpret this activity and make use of the materials. That's what kids activities are all about!

Place a few burlap fibers on the paint before it dries. You can also add glue to help secure the fibers.

 Below are a few different results for this activity!

Providing kids with a variety of art supplies sparks imagination and creativity.

The different paint colors and textures engage fine motor and sensory skills along with the creative play.

Related: Painting with veggie stamps

Trees are interesting for kids to observe in nature, especially with changing seasons: buds appear; leaves grow; leaves change color. A bird nest in a tree art activity is a fun way for kids to explore the spring season in nature.

With minimal instruction and guidance, grownups can help kids strengthen developmental skills as they explore and experiment with a variety of craft materials.

Watching an activity unfold with early learners is fun for teachers and parents. It's exciting to see the different ways an idea, an experience, or new information will be interpreted and displayed.

 Painting activities on Pinterest