Bird Nests

Kids really get into this and are very proud of their nests. Most of the nests look like muddy clumps of dead weeds. It's fun to watch parents try to think of something appropriate to say as kids proudly present their masterpieces for praise and approval.

Objectives

Children ages 2-2 ½ years can roll, pound, and squeeze Playdough FM I
All children participating are able to persist until task is completed SE III
collect materials for specific goal or purpose
and they can use materials in a variety of ways SE III

 
 
 

Materials

Sticky, brown Playdough (for mud); blue Playdough (for eggs); yellow, red, or green (or other) Playdough (for birds); paper bags to collect grass, twigs and straw; string pieces; paper plates; sample of pre-made nest or real nest (real nest is far better).

Procedures

1. Show children an example of real birds' nests or hand-made one. Go out into the yard and let children collect small twigs, grass, straw, etc.

2. When the group is reassembled at the table, give each child a plate and lump of Playdough mud.* Show them how to form a nest with hands. Have them add twigs, straw, and string, held together with more dough, creating the nest on the paper plate. Remind children that the eggs will go in the center of the nest where the baby birds will hatch, so the center of the nest must have soft, warm materials (string, yarn, cotton, etc.).

3. When the children have finished making their nests, give them blue Playdough to make the eggs. Many children like to try to make mother or father birds to sit on the eggs or beside the nest.

4. While this activity is going on, discuss the role of the bird parents in nest building, sitting on eggs to keep them warm and getting food for the baby birds when they hatch. Discuss the functions of the various materials--mud sticks the nest to the tree and holds the twigs and grass together; soft materials in the center keep the eggs warm and cushioned, etc. A few kids will continue (indefinitely) pretending the eggs hatch. Let them make Playdough food—worms, bugs, etc.– for the parent birds to feed their newly hatched babies.

Notes:

-- We tried real mud once, but several of the kids would have none of it. Sticky playdough is a good substitute. Some children still need reassurance that it’s only playdough.
-- This could go on as a several-day sequence for younger children.

 

Variation:
1. Organize a drama activity with parent, baby birds, and eggs.
 
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