Looking for a hobby for your kids that will banish boredom and reduce screen time without costing a fortune? Well, I have one word for you: birdwatching!<\/p>\n
According to Ed Dominguez, lead naturalist at the Seward Park Audubon Center in Seattle, Washington, birdwatching can have many benefits you might not expect. \u201cBirdwatching can give children a sense of awe, wonder, and curiosity which can lead to interest and feelings of empathy,\u201d Dominguez said. \u201cAnd, this empathy for birds can transfer to other creatures in the world, wanting to care for them and their habitats, and help children become holistic and better human beings.\u201d<\/p>\n
To get young birdwatchers started and maximize their birdwatching experiences, I\u2019ve compiled a list of children\u2019s books about birds to read before, during, and after birdwatching. Many of them offer ways to identify birds and detail how to attract feathered friends to your backyard. My favorites encourage birders to keep a safe distance from birds while watching them and leave only footprints behind. These bird books for kids are the perfect place to start!<\/p>\n
no no 9781623369378 Mrs. Peanuckle’s Bird Alphabet<\/i> by Mrs. Peanuckle, illustrated by Jessie Ford <\/p>\n
The latest edition of Mrs. Peanuckle\u2019s alphabet books, Mrs. Peanuckle\u2019s Bird Alphabet<\/i>, categorizes 26 birds from A to Z. Each spread pairs a colorful illustration with a fascinating, lesser-known fact about our feathered friends. Did you know bluebirds can sing 1,000 songs in one hour, or crows are intelligent and can remember faces? Kids will learn these facts and more as they read this informative book. Check out the rest of Mrs. Peanuckle\u2019s Alphabet series<\/a> for more alphabet fun. 9780593386989 Birding for Babies: Backyard Birds<\/i> by Chloe Goodhart, illustrated by Gareth Lucas <\/p>\n It\u2019s time to head to the backyard with baby, where birds are waiting for you to count them! In this STEM-based bird book, your little chicks count the birds on each page, discover interesting facts about birds, and learn tips for finding them. When you\u2019re finished with this book, migrate to its companion title about colors, Birding for Babies: Migrating Birds<\/i><\/a>. 9780553521078 Hello, World! Birds<\/i> by Jill McDonald <\/p>\n Hello, World! Birds<\/i> is the perfect way to introduce babies and toddlers to the genre of nonfiction and the world of birds. Readers will learn about birds in their backyards and beyond with its easy-to-read terms and colorful collage illustrations. Footnotes expound on the book’s facts and offer additional information. Keep the fun going by taking turns counting all the birds, playing \u201cI SPY,\u201d or doing a scavenger hunt in the book. Say \u201cHi\u201d to the other Hello, World! titles<\/a> about the farm, weather, dinosaurs, cars, trucks, and more. You and your little ones won\u2019t be able to say goodbye to any of these books. 9781536210569 Bird Builds a Nest: A First Science Storybook<\/i> by Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Richard Jones <\/p>\n This First Science Storybook<\/i> is one part story, one part science, and a lot of feathery fun. With simple text and mixed-media illustrations, readers follow a mother bird as she uses \u201cforce\u201d to create a cozy nest for her eggs. The last pages\u2019 egg-gaging (sorry) questions will encourage scientific discussion and nest exploration. While exploring nests, remember to stay clear of baby birds and their mamas. Nesting suggestion: Leave out small bits of fabric, yarn, ribbon, and lint to help mama birds create their nests. 9780744072808 The Children’s Book of Birdwatching<\/i> by Dan Rouse <\/p>\n This nonfiction book is a great beginner’s guide for all ages to learn about birds without getting bogged down with too much detail. With colorful illustrations and clear explanations, Rouse’s book encourages children to explore and appreciate the beauty of birds while learning fascinating facts about their behavior and habitats. Find chapters on nest boxes, bird feeders, ponds, and what seeds attract which birds. Kids can also get creative with hands-on activities like making bird food, constructing a dust bath, and growing plants for birds. A delightful book that kids will keep coming back to again and again! 9781465481511 DKfindout! Birds<\/i> by DK <\/p>\n Let the bird love affair begin! Perfect for older bird watchers (6-9 years old), this fact-filled fowl fest explores nearly 150 ovarian species. Readers will learn about their diverse habitats, unique qualities, distinctive life cycles, mating and migration activities, plus sections about threatened species and the people helping them. With stunning photos, exciting facts, and delightful details, young birders will see the world through birds and want to explore them on their own. It\u2019s a must-have for aspiring ornithologists and bird lovers alike. 9780744050080 The Extraordinary World of Birds<\/i> by David Lindo, illustrated by Claire McElfatrick <\/p>\n For older birdwatchers, The Extraordinary World of Birds<\/i> explores a wide range of birding topics including birds of prey, dinosaur ancestors, and colorful displays. Told in full-color, detailed spreads, this book would be an extraordinary addition to a budding bird lover\u2019s collection. 9781632173171 Look at That Bird!<\/i> by Karen DeWitz <\/p>\n This fun and easy-to-read beginner\u2019s bird guide begins with a \u201cbirder\u2019s pledge\u201d to respect the birds and the places you find them (e.g., only get as close as the birds allow, stay clear of babies and nests, leave nothing behind, etc.). It continues with a close-up look at 50 of the most common bird species in the Pacific Northwest. You can learn about the diverse bird population from the region, how to identify them, and how to attract birds to your backyard. 9780763693008 Look Up!<\/i> by Annette LeBlanc Cate <\/p>\n Look Up!<\/i> combines a comic book feel and a nonfiction bird watching guide to lift your eyes to the skies. Cate\u2019s beautifully illustrated book will convert even the most reluctant birder to go outside and discover birds. Comic panels share fascinating facts about dozens of birds, conversations between cartoon birds, and practical tips on how (and why) to observe birds in their natural habitats. Readers will wonder why they have never considered birdwatching before. Winner of the Sibert Honor Award in 2014, this guide will springboard your birdwatching to a new level! RELATED:<\/strong> The David Sibley Birds Coloring Sheets<\/a> <\/p>\n no no 9780744027358 The Bird Atlas<\/i> by Barbara Taylor, illustrated by Richard Orr <\/p>\n The atlas has gone to the birds \u2014 literally! The Bird Atlas<\/i> shows young birders where birds live, migrate, and roam. This unique resource is arranged by continent to offer a global view of the geography, climate, landscapes, habitats, and activities of the world\u2019s fowl. It\u2019s a perfect introduction to birds around the world, endangered species, and how to help them. 9780593231852 Sibley Backyard Birding Bingo<\/i> by David Allen Sibley <\/p>\n If your kids love bingo \u2014 you are in luck! This colorful, information-filled bingo game features 50 North American birds to identify and learn about. The game cards are labeled with bird names and illustrations exquisitely painted by the pre-eminent birding author\/illustrator, David Sibley. After the last BINGO is called, birders can venture into nature to observe the feathered creatures. The sturdy packaging, game cards, and pieces can endure hours of fun \u2014 indoors or outdoors! Happy birdwatching!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2022 and updated in 2025.<\/small><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Maximize your young birdwatcher’s experience with these books that offer ways to identify and attract those feathered friends. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64,"featured_media":82520,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[1175],"coauthors":[1298],"class_list":["post-82458","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-animals-and-nature","ages_stages-baby-toddler","ages_stages-pre-k","ages_stages-growing-reader","ages_stages-tween"],"yoast_head":"\n
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