Take a Kid Birding -

This is #21 of 31 Days to Better Birding and Conservation

Kids are like sponges (perhaps that’s why they like Spongebob so much); they learn incredibly fast and are fascinated by what’s around them. If you take a kid birding you are laying the groundwork for future birders and of course, future conservationists. A few tips to help kid birders:

Go at a steady pace but try to observe anything you see
Let them use binoculars but make sure they are easy to handle
Bring a scope along for close up views
Try to take one kid at a time so they can focus better
If you do take a group of kids, assign each a special task to keep them on track; example: One kid holds the bird book while another carries the official checklist/notebook
Go with the flow – if a weird bug is found, investigate it; check out trees and plants and what’s in the creek – it doesn’t have to be just birds
Keep it a learning experience without feeling like school; sometimes the best learning is done by personal observation and investigation

Birdfreak and the Little Kingfisher taking a “Birding Break” at Lake Superior

These tips are just a few of the ways to help you introduce the wonders of nature to young ones. And it’s always fun to revisit the “common” aspects of nature through the eyes of kids!