Favorite Bird-Watching Resources for Kids & Teens

by | Sep 27, 2024

True story: A woman recently approached my son while we were out birding and said, “I love seeing you enjoying a hobby that’s not on a screen!” She had no idea what I do for a living. 😆

In a world where “teen boy” often equals “gamer,” I believe our boys (and all our kids!) have SO MUCH MORE TO OFFER and to learn. Games can be fun occasionally, but let’s broaden their horizons.

But how? By doing our best to expose our kids to real life and watching the things and activities they gravitate toward. Nurture those things! And create a family culture where screens aren’t the default.


One day, my son started noticing birds in our backyard, and now? He’s a full-fledged birding enthusiast! Who knew chasing feathered friends could be so addictive (and screen-free)?


Birding has become our go-to one-on-one time with our 13-year-old son and it’s really been such a gift (even though early mornings are not my thing! 😴).

After I shared some of our birding adventures on Instagram, many of you wanted to learn more.

As a newbie-birder, here are my top tips:

🌄 Early bird gets the… well, birds! Morning outings are best. 

🔭 Gear up: binoculars, spotting scope, and camera.
📚 Use field guides (I’ll share our favorites!) 

📲 Helpful apps (on a parent’s phone)


Plus, the health benefits are amazing:

🚶‍♂️ Physical: Keeps you moving! 

🧠 Mental:
* Bird songs improve mood (it’s science!)
* Nature = better mental health
* Less stress for birding college students


Remember, exploring hobbies like birding isn’t just fun – it’s investing in real-life experiences beyond screens.

Now, here are some of our favorite resources to get you started…

Favorite Birding Books


Field Diaries

Tools We Use

Favorite Apps (for parent’s phone) & Websites


Research

Fun Bird Things Our Family Loves

*As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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