Budding Birders: 5 Ways to Spark Your Toddler's Interest in Birds

Toddlerhood is a magical time in a parents' life. They are constantly moving and discovering new skills and abilities they've been gifted with. Thanks to the curious nature of toddlers, there is no better time than toddlerhood to introduce a child to birding. Spending time sharing your passion with your toddler can be such a rewarding experience, and with any luck, you'll create a lifelong birding sidekick in the process. I know it can seem like a daunting task trying to get a busy toddler to pay attention to anything for longer than 30 seconds, especially when what you're trying to get them to pay attention to often looks like a speck in a tree, so I've put together my top five tips on how to spark your toddler's interest in birds.

1. Be excited!

Sometimes, as adults, we internalize our excitement out of fear of being seen as childish, but showing your enthusiasm toward something is the first step in teaching your toddler to be enthusiastic about the same thing. I think this rings true with toddlers no matter the subject. Whether it's trying a new food, putting on their shoes on by themselves, or singing the ABC's, showing that you are excited with them and proud of them helps toddlers feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in themselves. When you see a bird no matter how common, try saying something like, "Oh wow! Look at that beautiful Blue Jay! See how blue it is? That's amazing!". Do the same for every bird you see, soon enough you'll find them emulating your excitement and pointing new birds out to you! For example: My son is 2.5, and now excitedly yells out "White-throated Sparrooowwwww!" whenever he thinks he sees one (or just wants me to laugh 😉).

2. Read about birds together
Learning about birds doesn't have to come from a field guide, and let's face it, most toddlers wouldn't spend much time browsing through the tiny text and boring pictures anyway! There are so many amazing children's books out there written by birders, naturalists, and conservationists that have colourful images, rhymes, and fun stories sure to capture the focus of a buy toddler. Some of our team members' favourites include You Nest Here With Me, Woodpecker Wham, Hello World! Birds, Owl Babies, Bird Watch. Incorporating bird-related storybooks into your toddler's reading time will not only help teach them about birds, but will also help foster an appreciation for birds and all things in nature which is a crucial value to instill at a young age. 

3. Spend time outdoors
Looking at books just isn't going to cut it when it comes to getting a toddler interested in birds. It can definitely help, but seeing and hearing them for themselves is going to be far more attention-grabbing than a 15-page board book. Spend time outdoors without distractions; no music, no tablets, no phones. Hang out in your backyard or head to a local park and point out the birds. Ask your toddler if they can see any birds flying or hopping on the ground, singing in the trees, or swimming in the pond. If you hear a familiar call, imitate it and say the name of the species, and ask your toddler to do the same. The more time you spend outside, the more you will see and hear, and the more your toddler will appreciate birds and the natural world around them. 

4. Put together their own bird watching kit

This kit can include binoculars, a book or pocket guide of native birds, a nature-themed colouring book or notepad to draw their observations, and maybe even a figure or stuffed bird to go along as a birdwatching companion. Pack it all up in a little backpack and take it with you on your outings. Having their own birding gear will help build a sense of responsibility and connection to the hobby. 

5. Let them help feed the birds
There is nothing like getting up close and personal with birds. If you feed birds in your backyard, you know just how exciting it is to get to see their behaviours and know that you are helping to provide nourishment when they need it. Inviting your toddler to take part in filling your bird feeders each day is a great addition to your morning routine, and is a great way to help them connect with nature and learn about birds. You can even designate a bird feeder as their own to fill and clean! A great feeder option for kids that is easy to clean, fill, and allows for close-up views of the birds is our WBU Window Feeder which attaches directly to the window using strong suction cups. Being able to see the birds up close like this even while indoors will help pique any busy toddlers' curiosity. 

In the long run, your toddler's interests may not include birds - and that's okay. As parents, grandparents, family members, friends, all we can do is introduce and gently nudge the toddlers in our lives into the wonderful world of birding - and maybe force them on some hikes along the way. 

Happy trails!

- Shayna