Published January 19, 2026 Written by [email protected]

Early years activity: Big garden bird watch

Help the RSPB to find out how garden birds are faring in your patch.

Big garden bird watch activity learning aims

Counting birds
Recognising and recording the birds they see in the garden
Develop an understanding of how to look after birds and wildlife.

Resources you will need for this activity

Paper, pens
Images of garden birds (identification books or cards, online sources, etc)
Access to the RSPB website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Big Garden Bird Watch activity outline

Prior to your chosen bird watch day (from 23^rd to 25^th January), talk about how to encourage birds to visit your outdoor space (garden, balcony, yard, local park). You may want to make some bird feeders and share images from books or online of local birds who are likely to visit, such as sparrows, blackbirds, robins and pigeons. Name the bird types and talk about how to spot differences between them by talking about their size, colour or feeding habits
On you birdwatch day, plan one hour (or perhaps 4 lots of 15 minutes with smaller groups of children) which will be your birdwatch time
Explain to the children that you are going to see how many birds of different types come to visit the nursery. Have your bird identification images to hand, as well as choosing a method for recording the number of bird visitors
Find a quiet spot to watch the garden and record how many birds land in your patch and see if the children can identify the species too
Let RSPB know what you found – even if it was nothing. You can submit your results online or by post.

How to extend this activity

Share the RSPB information with parents so they can participate at home too
Provide resources for children to represent the birds they have watched, such as through drawing, collage, paint, clay or dance.

NDNA products to support you with this activity

Outdoor and Risky Play – Face to face training

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Disclaimer: Activities with children must always be risk assessed, including for allergies or choking. Children must always have adequate supervision. Resources and materials must always be appropriate for children’s age and stage of development.

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