Family Birding Resources

Kids and birding are a natural combination. Parents will be happy to slow down and reconnect with nature. For kids, though, birding can be full of adventure and challenge. There’s no denying the thrill of finally finding a rare species or identifying a hidden bird by its call.  Best of all, birding is an inexpensive family hobby that requires only a one-time investment in a field guide and a pair of binoculars.

The following resources will help you learn the ropes on birding for kids.

How to get started:  http://www.birdwatching.com/tips/kids_birding.html

https://childhoodbynature.com/how-to-start-birding-with-your-kids/

What You Need to Know About Birdwatching with Kids:

https://backroadramblers.com/birding-with-kids/

How to Get Kids Interested in Bird Watching:

https://diygardening.co.uk/bird-watching-for-kids/

Birding Books:  Bird Books for Children and Birding For Kids Annotated Bibliography

Birding Binoculars: The Audubon Guide to Buying Binoculars and A Guide to Bird-Watching with Binoculars

Birding Cameras:  https://www.audubon.org/news/the-family-camera-guide

Best times and seasons to go birding: https://www.thespruce.com/best-times-and-seasons-to-go-birding-386706

Areas to Bird in Whatcom and Skagit County: https://www.northcascadesaudubon.org/birding/locations

Easy Ways to Get Kids Birding:

https://www.audubon.org/news/easy-ways-get-kids-birding

Audubon Activities for Kids: A weekly guide:

https://www.audubon.org/get-outside/activities/audubon-for-kids

Cornell Kids at Home:

https://hr.cornell.edu/covid-19-workplace-guidance/community-resources/cornell-kidshome

Winter Backyard Community Science Projects: The Cornell Lab Great Backyard Bird Count and The Cornell Lab Project FeederWatch

Bird Basics:

https://www.improvenet.com/a/the-young-birder-backyard-guide

Apps for kids:

https://www.birds.cornell.edu/k12/best-apps-for-birding-with-kids/

For the older kid: Young Birder Backyard Guide