Hummingbird Projects for Kids
Hummingbirds fascinate birders of all ages, and there are many ways to get the youngest birders interested in the smallest birds. These hummingbird projects for kids can be part of science fair or class projects, homeschooling lessons, summer activities or just for fun, and each one will not only teach children about hummingbirds, but introduce them to an intriguing and amazing part of the avian world.
Need still more ideas for hummingbird crafts and fun projects? Check out More Fun With Hummingbirds for additional ideas!
There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds in the world, but which species might young birders find right in their own backyards? Learn about hummingbird habitats and the species that each one uses, and start a life list to add hummingbird species to. Visit different local areas to see more types of hummingbirds, and even consider trying to find hummingbirds in captivity for up close, personal experiences and the opportunity to see more unique species.
Keep a birding journal that just focuses on hummingbirds. Track where and when the birds are seen, including the first and last sightings of the year and how often they visit, or what times of day they visit. Include additional information such as which plants are preferred, how much nectar the birds drink and any unusual events that occur during a summer filled with hummingbirds. Try sketching hummingbirds in the journal to create a visual record, and note the parts of a hummingbird on each sketch to learn their field marks and identifying characteristics.
It's easy to make a hummingbird garden in any corner of a yard or flowerbed, or encourage children to design their own hummingbird gardens using planters, window boxes or other easy containers. Use fun containers or basic planters, but position the resulting gardens so they can provide great views of hummingbirds. Be sure to tend the garden regularly to eliminate weeds, but avoid insecticide use that can be harmful to hummingbirds.
Consider the top flowers for hummingbirds and try different plants in the yard or garden. Record which ones the birds prefer, and learn how different plants grow at the same time. Also take notes on which other insects, such as spiders, hummingbird moths or butterflies, enjoy the same plants as hummingbirds and how the birds may react to the other guests or competition.
It's easy to turn a jar into a hummingbird feeder, or children can each be responsible for their own hummingbird feeder. The feeders should be cleaned regularly, filled with fresh nectar and examined for ants or other pests that hummingbirds will not appreciate. Children can follow a simple hummingbird nectar recipe but should be supervised if the nectar is heated for mixing. Maintaining a hummingbird feeder is a simple task that can get children excited when the birds visit "their" feeder.
Different colors will attract different birds, and it's easy to see if hummingbirds really do prefer red. Experiment by painting or decorating different hummingbird feeders with different colors to see which colors attract more birds and get used more frequently, or choose flowers and plants of different colors and monitor where the birds spend the most time. Also note which colors are more attractive to other backyard guests, including orioles, bees, moths and wasps.
Kids love to play in sprinklers in the summer, and hummingbirds love to play in water too. Study why birds need water – for bathing, preening and drinking – and what different ways water can be added to the backyard to meet their needs. Then experiment with different types of water features, including simple baths, misters, drippers or fountains, to see which ones might be frequented by hummingbirds and what other birds are attracted to the water as well. Be sure to keep each water feature clean so the birds have a fresh, healthy water source to use.
Hummingbirds can nest in strange places – not only in trees and shrubs, but often in rosebushes, on clotheslines or even on artificial structures, such as the simple Hummingbird House. Children can be fascinated by any type of bird nests, but hummingbird nests are especially mesmerizing because they are so tiny. While great care should always be taken around any bird nest, monitoring a hummingbird nest to watch the mother incubate the eggs, see the hatchlings grow and eventually examine the now empty nest after the birds have left can be a great project for kids and can encourage a lifelong love of birding and bird conservation.
Need still more ideas for hummingbird crafts and fun projects? Check out More Fun With Hummingbirds for additional ideas!
•Listing Hummingbird Species
There are more than 300 species of hummingbirds in the world, but which species might young birders find right in their own backyards? Learn about hummingbird habitats and the species that each one uses, and start a life list to add hummingbird species to. Visit different local areas to see more types of hummingbirds, and even consider trying to find hummingbirds in captivity for up close, personal experiences and the opportunity to see more unique species.
•Write a Hummingbird Journal
Keep a birding journal that just focuses on hummingbirds. Track where and when the birds are seen, including the first and last sightings of the year and how often they visit, or what times of day they visit. Include additional information such as which plants are preferred, how much nectar the birds drink and any unusual events that occur during a summer filled with hummingbirds. Try sketching hummingbirds in the journal to create a visual record, and note the parts of a hummingbird on each sketch to learn their field marks and identifying characteristics.
•Plant a Hummingbird Garden
It's easy to make a hummingbird garden in any corner of a yard or flowerbed, or encourage children to design their own hummingbird gardens using planters, window boxes or other easy containers. Use fun containers or basic planters, but position the resulting gardens so they can provide great views of hummingbirds. Be sure to tend the garden regularly to eliminate weeds, but avoid insecticide use that can be harmful to hummingbirds.
•Experiment With Hummingbird Flowers
Consider the top flowers for hummingbirds and try different plants in the yard or garden. Record which ones the birds prefer, and learn how different plants grow at the same time. Also take notes on which other insects, such as spiders, hummingbird moths or butterflies, enjoy the same plants as hummingbirds and how the birds may react to the other guests or competition.
•Make a Hummingbird Feeder
It's easy to turn a jar into a hummingbird feeder, or children can each be responsible for their own hummingbird feeder. The feeders should be cleaned regularly, filled with fresh nectar and examined for ants or other pests that hummingbirds will not appreciate. Children can follow a simple hummingbird nectar recipe but should be supervised if the nectar is heated for mixing. Maintaining a hummingbird feeder is a simple task that can get children excited when the birds visit "their" feeder.
•Test Hummingbird Color Preferences
Different colors will attract different birds, and it's easy to see if hummingbirds really do prefer red. Experiment by painting or decorating different hummingbird feeders with different colors to see which colors attract more birds and get used more frequently, or choose flowers and plants of different colors and monitor where the birds spend the most time. Also note which colors are more attractive to other backyard guests, including orioles, bees, moths and wasps.
•Provide Fresh Water
Kids love to play in sprinklers in the summer, and hummingbirds love to play in water too. Study why birds need water – for bathing, preening and drinking – and what different ways water can be added to the backyard to meet their needs. Then experiment with different types of water features, including simple baths, misters, drippers or fountains, to see which ones might be frequented by hummingbirds and what other birds are attracted to the water as well. Be sure to keep each water feature clean so the birds have a fresh, healthy water source to use.
•Monitor a Hummingbird Nest
Hummingbirds can nest in strange places – not only in trees and shrubs, but often in rosebushes, on clotheslines or even on artificial structures, such as the simple Hummingbird House. Children can be fascinated by any type of bird nests, but hummingbird nests are especially mesmerizing because they are so tiny. While great care should always be taken around any bird nest, monitoring a hummingbird nest to watch the mother incubate the eggs, see the hatchlings grow and eventually examine the now empty nest after the birds have left can be a great project for kids and can encourage a lifelong love of birding and bird conservation.
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