A fun way to celebrate Earth Day this year with this cute Birds Nest Craft.
Celebrate Earth Day, spring, or a bird-themed lesson with this adorable Bird’s Nest Craft for Kids! This easy nature craft combines creativity with outdoor exploration, making it a perfect activity for preschool, kindergarten, elementary classrooms, homeschool, or family fun at home.
Before making the craft, take children on a nature walk to collect the materials birds use to build their nests. As they search for twigs, grass, leaves, moss, and small stems, they’ll learn firsthand how birds create safe homes for their eggs and babies.
This hands-on activity is a wonderful way to connect art, science, and nature while encouraging children to observe the world around them.
Why Kids Love This Bird’s Nest Craft
Children enjoy collecting natural materials and turning them into their very own bird’s nest. Along the way, they’ll discover that no two nests are exactly alike—just like the ones birds build in nature!
This craft is perfect for:
- Earth Day activities
- Spring classroom crafts
- Bird and nature study units
- Preschool and kindergarten science lessons
- Homeschool projects
- Nature centers
- Scout groups
- Rainy-day crafts after a nature walk
Learning About Birds
Before starting the craft, talk with children about how different birds build their nests. Here is a link, All About Birds.
Ask questions like:
- What materials do birds use to build a nest?
- Why do birds build nests?
- Where do birds usually build them?
- Why do different birds build different kinds of nests?
Then head outside for a short nature walk. Give each child a small paper bag or zip-top bag to collect safe natural materials such as:
- Small twigs
- Dry grass
- Leaves
- Moss
- Tiny sticks
- Seed pods
- Small stems
Remind children to collect only materials that have already fallen to the ground and to leave active bird nests undisturbed.
Supplies You’ll Need
- Bird template (prints six birds per page)
- 6-inch paper plate (or a 6–8 inch circle cut from cardstock)
- Craft glue
- Scissors
- Googly eye
- Material for the nest (burlap, brown felt, brown construction paper, paper bag, or fabric)
- Natural materials collected during the nature walk
How to Make the Bird’s Nest Craft
1. Create a Bird:
Print the bird template on colored printer paper or let children trace the template onto construction paper in their favorite colors. Cut out the bird and set it aside.
2. Make the Background:
A 6-inch paper plate works perfectly as the background. A colorful plate makes preparation quick and easy, but white paper plates can be painted or covered with construction paper for a custom look.
If you don’t have paper plates, simply cut a circle from sturdy cardstock or construction paper.
3. Build the Nest:
Cut a half-circle from burlap, brown construction paper, felt, or even a recycled paper grocery bag to create the nest. Glue the nest near the bottom of the plate.
4. Add the Bird:
Glue the bird inside the nest and attach a googly eye.
For extra fun, children can draw a wing, add feathers, or glue in two or three small paper eggs.
5. Decorate with Nature:
Now it’s time to use the treasures collected on the nature walk!
Glue twigs, grass, moss, leaves, and other natural materials around the nest to give it a realistic appearance.
Since natural materials can be heavier than paper, use plenty of craft glue and allow the project to dry completely before sending it home.
Extend the Learning
Turn this craft into a complete science lesson by discussing:
- Why birds build nests in different locations
- How parent birds care for their eggs
- Which birds live in your area
- The importance of protecting birds and their habitats
- Ways children can help wildlife by respecting nature
You can even read a book about birds before or after the craft and encourage children to watch for nests and birds in their own neighborhoods.
A Perfect Earth Day Craft
This Bird’s Nest Craft is more than just a fun art project—it’s a wonderful opportunity to help children appreciate nature and learn how birds depend on the environment for survival. By collecting natural materials and building their own nests, children gain a better understanding of the natural world while celebrating Earth Day in a creative, hands-on way.
Whether you’re planning an Earth Day activity, a spring craft, or a bird unit study, this easy craft is sure to become a classroom favorite.
