There’s no denying that kids love hummingbirds just as much as adults do. Planning hummingbird activities for kids is a great way to get youngsters interested in these tiny birds and supporting them in the yard, creating a lifelong love of nature and commitment to conservation.

Why Kids Love Hummingbirds

Kids love anything eye-catching and unique, and hummingbirds are both. The tiny size of the birds feels less intimidating and more approachable to a child’s smaller size, while the bright colors are easily seen and recognized. The unique features of hummingbirds, including the needle-like bill and fun flight patterns, catch kids’ interest and help their imagination take flight. Even better is the fact that these birds are right in the yard, making them an easy option for engaging kids outdoors in the natural world.

Hummingbird Activities for Kids All Year Long

No matter when kids might see hummingbirds, whether they’re seasonal guests or visitors year-round, there are many fun activities to try. Different activities are suitable for kids of different ages and abilities, and each one can easily be adapted to the interests and needs of different children.

Discovering Hummingbirds

When kids first notice hummingbirds, there are great opportunities to introduce youngsters to these fascinating birds and learn more about them.

• Learn to identify hummingbirds by the bird’s size, shape, and colors, especially if there are multiple hummingbird species nearby. A printable diagram of a hummingbird can be used to label the parts of the bird and see how unique they are.
• Use maps to learn about hummingbird ranges, where the birds migrate, and where to see them. Compare maps to road trips or other travel to help children understand distances and just how far hummingbirds move from season to season.
• Compare hummingbirds to more familiar things to help children better understand the birds. Comparative sizes, for example, can make the birds more accessible, or compare how they fly to helicopters, or compare their colors to other birds.

Feeding Hummingbirds

As kids learn more about hummingbirds, feeding these flying jewels can be a great way to encourage even more interest and engagement.

• Craft a hummingbird feeder from a small baby food jar, recycled bottle, or a hummingbird feeder kit. Let kids decorate the feeder and discover what colors best attract hummingbirds. Teach them how to clean feeders and keep the nectar fresh.
• Attempt hand-feeding hummingbirds with a ring-style feeder or small jar lid or bottle cap filled with nectar. This is a great activity for older children and will help teach patience and perseverance.
• Plant nectar-rich flowers that hummingbirds will love. This will provide a natural food source and will also introduce the child to the joys of gardening. Petunias, zinnias, bee balm, columbine, and salvia are easy, effective choices.

Helping Hummingbirds

As kids learn more about hummingbirds and get more involved with the hummers that visit the yard, expanding beyond just feeding is a great way to keep kids interested.

• Make homemade perches or swings for hummingbirds and position them in a spot where the birds can be more easily seen. Kids can decorate the perches to make them more visible and attractive to the birds.
• Add a small water fountain, mister, or dripper to the yard to give the birds a way to bathe and stay cool. This will also attract even more bird species and can introduce children to greater bird diversity right in the yard.
• Offer safe nesting material that hummingbird mothers will be able to use while teaching children that not all nesting materials are safe or will work for all birds. Keep an eye out to spot hummingbird nests and babies!

Just for Fun

Even if hummingbirds might not be around every day or the birds disappear in the winter, there are fun activities that can keep hummers on kids’ minds and in their imaginations.

• Use coloring pages to recreate existing hummingbirds or draw an imaginary one with your own favorite colors, shapes, and patterns.
• Check out different hummingbird puzzles, crafts, and games to engage creativity and different mental and physical skills.
• Visit the library to find books about hummingbirds, from fun picture books and story books to informational books on identification and feeding

There are so many great hummingbird activities for kids (and kids at heart!), it’s easy to enjoy these charming birds all year long and inspire children to love birds and birding.