Audubon Birding Adventures for Kids: Activities and Ideas for Watching, Feeding, and Housing Our Feathered Friends

by Elissa Wolfson, Margaret A. Barker, National Audubon Society

* 2021 AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books in Hands-On Science Longlist
* 2021 NSTA-CBC Outstanding Science Trade Book 

Produced in association with the National Audubon Society, Audubon Birding Adventures for Kids introduces you and your children to the love of all things birding.

Whether exploring the forest, the backyard, or the city, you and your kids will learn about the habits of North America’s most popular songbirds , how to create safe and welcoming environments for them, how to observe them, and how to construct easy and safe species-appropriate birdhouses and feeders for common birds. The bird ID section includes descriptions of species and range maps .

Kids will also find 20 exciting activities and games (10 indoor, 10 outdoor), including how to form birding groups, scavenger hunts, and a birdsong listening game. In addition to practical, field-tested knowledge and fascinating information about the species covered, this guide is packed with beautiful color photography .

Since all the information presented is the product of years of National Audubon Society expertise, both you and your kids can be sure you're getting the best advice before setting about your birding adventures.

Genres: Birds

96 pages, Paperback

Published February 4, 2020

Reviews

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun and well illustrated book to teach kids about birds that provides loads of information and some fun projects and activities. It starts with profiles of 25 common North American birds like doves, woodpeckers, bluebirds, turkeys and vultures. Each one has a colorful photograph, a map showing its range (migratory, breeding and year-round) and information about diet, etc. I noticed that the ranges are not always accurate for where we live (SW Minnesota), with some birds showing up as not in our range when they are common birds for us. I imagine climate change is altering bird ranges but I didn't realize the information was this different already. We are a birding family and see many birds that the book says are not in our area, such as eagles (it says we only have them during non-breeding season but we see them year-round) and turkey vultures (which it says are never in our area but are very prolific here in warmer months).

After that section, there are sections of activities (such as take a bird walk, watch them with binoculars and make an easy birdbath) with detailed tips and instructions, games like the migration game and a bird song game, information on what plants to plant for birds, and so on. Some of these would be great for nature programs or nature study units.

The next chapter features birding activities for inside -- bird journaling, educational games, information about topics related to birds, bird-related activities, plans for making bird shelves and baskets for nesting for different species, a comparison activity for feeding various feeds to monitor which ones are preferred by whom, a look at what beaks are for what kinds of foods, etc. The book ends with more ways that kids can help birds (keep cats inside, pick up trash, etc.).

The book will be a great primer for birds and has lots of good information. It's filled with bright, colorful photos that add to the appeal. Recommended.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for the purpose of review.

[Lorilin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun resource to have as we are sheltering in place. The book is divided into three parts.

Part 1 lists 25 different kinds of common birds. We live in the Midwest, and we've seen almost all of these birds at some point. The pictures of each bird are very clear, making it easy to identify the birds when we're in the backyard. There are also interesting facts listed for each one, too.

Part 2 gives outdoor activities that kids can easily do--everything from bird watching to making a bird feeder.

Part 3 covers indoor activities, and these, understandably, have been getting a lot of play in our house the past few weeks since we're stuck inside. This section goes into more detail about identifying birds, noticing different feathers and body types, searching for bird info online, making a feeder or bird nest platform, and the list goes on. Lots of cool activities in this section.

Overall, what a great resource for trapped kids (and desperate parents). Sometimes we just sit by the window and try to identify all the birds we can. It's been fun.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging and Meaningful educational!

Birds are fascinating and beautiful creatures, I really enjoy seeing them in and around my garden. Every time there is an opportunity to observe them, I like to invite my little son, to develop his appreciation for them. This book has come as a useful and valuable resource for this need to connect with nature. In particular I really like the design and quality of Quarto Publishing Group, it is one of my favorite publishers as it is always a guarantee of satisfaction.

Throughout the book we can find Fun Fact, Cool info and Bird Jokes that makes it even more attractive, beautiful images of the species presented, there are also games and activities, even indoors activities and art. Illustration activities are one of our favorites since it allows us to recognize details that we overlook, but when drawing we need to represent them. We also love to collect the feathers we find.

At home we have planted some plants in the garden to attract hummingbirds, also sunflowers, and we allowed some wild plants to grow that produce seeds for native species. On one occasion we found a hummingbird chick and on another a woodpecker; we were able to feed them until they were ready to gradually integrate into the wildlife. It was a wonderful interaction to the extent of knowing their birdsongs and caring for them; It was lovely to watch them come and go for food until they were able to become independent. Once you learn to love one bird or animal, love naturally spreads to all of them.

My sincere appreciation to the Publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to review the book

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice intro to birding for kids. The first section provides basic information about 25 common birds including easy to spot field marks for clues to spotting, what they eat, their voice and interesting facts as well as a color photograph.

The next two chapters provide well designed activities, one set for outside and one for inside. Each activity clearly list materials needed, directions, follow up and discoveries. Some are more involved than others but most require just simple materials. One does require binoculars but I liked this one too as a good basic lesson on how to use binoculars. Glossary and an appendix have related bird information.

I learned a lot myself from the information on common birds despite being a life-long birder. Did you know only the female duck "quacks"? Or that Chickadees hide seeds and go back to them months later? This appealing book will help create more birders and will keep kids nicely occupied with science and bird-related activities.

[Lael Walters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Birding Adventures for Kids by Audubon is a very pretty book, and the 40 pages of activities would be good for a child just learning about birds. Unfortunately, although they start out well in teaching a child bird-watching type things overall the activities seem rather random, with harder activities mixed in with extremely easy activities. And the rest of the book is really a very low-level bird guide, showing only the most basic birds that most people already know.. I think this book would be good for a young child, or a child who knows absolutely nothing about birds, otherwise, I'm sad to say I think it would be better to check it out of the library.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book to study while watching birds visit your feeder--filled with excellent photographs of common birds, and ideas for games and crafts to enhance learning more about them. Recommended for middle t0 upper elementary readers, and their family members.

[Denielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great beginner book for kids to learn how to observe birds.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice introduction to birds and birding for kids. The projects and ideas for further resources were especially nice.

[Cecile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colorful identification pages.