Let's Donate to a Bird's Nest

[20 Minutes]

You and your child can help birds find material to build their nests.

You'll need:

• wire coat hanger • nylon stocking • some or all of the following items: short strips of fabric, hair (pet or human), short sticks, dried grass, cotton batting, moss, flower petals, leaves, feathers, short pieces of yarn and string

What to do:

1. Open a wire coat hanger into a diamond shape.
2. Stretch an old nylon stocking over the hanger and fasten the end with a plastic bag tie.
3. Help your child loosely weave some of the items suggested above through the nylon. Birds will pick out the materials for their nest.
4. Make sure the string, yarn and fabric strips are less than 6 inches in length so that the birds do not get tangled in them. You can also use hair from your hairbrush and the fur from grooming your dog.

How to use:

1. Together, place the nylon-covered hanger so it is easily accessible, but will not blow away.
2. You can hang it on a fence, near a birdhouse, or on a tree branch where the birds will find it.
3. You can also use a mesh bag instead of a hanger.

Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore Together.

• Do you know a place where there are many birds outdoors? They would appreciate this nest building hanger.
• What materials do you think they will use to make their nest?
• Tell me why you like birds.

Useful information:

While you are having fun together, your child is developing small muscle skills and problem solving skills.