Bird watching is a great hobby for children, especially those with a keen interest in nature and animals. Not only is it a fantastic educational activity, but bird watching is also the perfect excuse for getting your little ones outdoors, whether it’s in your garden at home or exploring local areas such as parks or nature reserves.
Encouraging your children to have an appreciation for the natural world will get them away from screens and trying something new. It’s also an activity you can do together. No matter how old your child is, there are plenty of ways that birdwatching can get them excited about nature, conservation, and the outdoors.
In this blog, we’ll explain why birdwatching is a fantastic activity for young children.
Why is birdwatching great for young children?
Bird watching is a hobby that’s inexpensive but incredibly rewarding. Children are naturally curious about everything around them, so introducing them to the wonders of nature is a great learning experience. If you’re looking for a way of reducing screen time and inspiring them to have a love of nature, all they need is a good pair of binoculars and they’re ready!
Some of the top benefits of birdwatching for children include:
Birdwatching can be done in your very own garden
Did you know that there are hundreds of birds that you can spot at home? There are many common birds that your children can watch from their bedroom window — and if they’re lucky, they may even catch some rare species! Starting at home is an excellent way of getting them interested in the wildlife that’s on their very doorstep. Before long they’ll be pointing out different species of birds, naming them, and learning about their behaviors.
There are many fun activities that go alongside bird watching
Birdwatching isn’t just about sitting with a pair of binoculars for hours on end. There are plenty of additional activities that your children can take part in to enhance their birdwatching experiences. For example, you can make a bird feeder to attract birds into your garden or create some arts and crafts based on the birds you’ve spotted. Birdwatching can be incredibly thrilling. As your child spots new species of birds or begins to recognize those familiar to them, they'll be excited about getting outside and seeing what they can find.
Your child will spend more time outside
In today’s world where technology is a prime source of entertainment for everyone, including children, it can be difficult to get them outdoors. By introducing birdwatching at a young age, you can quickly teach your children about the incredible things to see and do outdoors so they grow to have an appreciation for getting out and about. Birdwatching inspires children to explore, learn and be enthusiastic about what’s around them.
Birdwatching requires little equipment
Your child can start their birdwatching hobby with very little equipment. All they need to get started is a pair of binoculars so they can begin spotting birds big and small! If you need some binoculars that are child-friendly, you can find design features such as a lightweight body for smaller hands and a wide field of view that makes them easy to hold still.
Children will learn valuable skills
Birdwatching is a fantastic hobby for children as it’s not only fun but also teaches various great skills. As they invest more time in it, kids will learn how to be patient, commit to mindfulness, and persevere in whatever they want to do, no matter the challenges — three key skills that have value in all parts of life.
If you want to encourage your child to get outdoors and learn about nature, birdwatching is a hobby that offers all of that and more! With a pair of binoculars in hand, a child of any age can get started, and you can easily enjoy it with them.
