Spring is for the birds. Stories about birds, really. And what a fun way to listen to story time and learn about birds, in this easy-to-make nest.
1. Dust off your kiddie pool.
2. Line the sides with brown butcher paper. This was packaging that we reused.
3. Add shredded paper.
4. Scatter strips of cardboard around the house. Have kids collect these “sticks” as nest-building material.
5. Pretend to be birds and add more shredded paper and cardboard “sticks” to build the nest.
6. Add giant eggs! (These are Creatology brand “egg-sentials” nesting eggs purchased at Michael’s hobby/craft store.)
7. Sit on eggs. Or sit in nest next to eggs. Whatever works.
8. Eggs hatch. Inside are little birds that wind up and walk from Easter past. Pretend they are baby birds.
9. Make play dough worms to feed your baby birds. My 8 year old “assistant” led this activity. We looked up all the questions the preschoolers had on the internet while we made the worms: “What do worms eat?” “How do they dig?” “Why do they have a band around them?”
10. Throw shredded paper at each other. Laugh and be silly.
11. Sit in your nest and listen to The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman.
- Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
- The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
- Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
- Birds by Kevin Henkes
- Lazy Ozzie by Michael Coleman
- How Robin Saved Spring by Debbie Oullett
- Planting a Rainbow by Lois Elhert
- Edward the Emu by Sheena Knowles
- Mama Outside, Mama Inside by Diana Hutts Aston
- Feathers for Phoebe by Rod Clement
- More wonderful books about nests and birds:
Creekside Learning boards you might like on Pinterest:
Preschool: Learning is Fun! and Learning With Literature
That is simply brilliant! I’ve never seen such big eggs, loving how you got into the imaginary play with the worms. Off to pin
This is such a wonderful idea. I’m pinning it.
Oh my this is amazing – what a hoot this nest would be for the children.
We once had a big nest made from grapevines that they loved but yours would be a lot more comfortable.
This is so adorable! My little ones would love it. Sharing everywhere!
Thank you, Stephanie.
How cute, and a lot of fun. I remember one of our fondest memories a few years ago was when my children’s grandfather made them a birdhouse and they studied birds the entire summer.
THanks for sharing.
This is such a creative idea and looks like so much fun. I want to make one just for myself. I’m sure my 2-year old would absolutely love me if I made him one. You are an absolute genius!
Well, thank you, Sam. And, darn it, I’m supposed to be working but now I’m perusing your lovely blog and I can’t stop.