Garden birds facts for kids

Even during lockdown winter, you can look out for birds in your garden and local park.

If you have a garden, why not put down some seeds, fat balls or fruit, and see which birds visit? Make sure that they are bird safe and don’t have any added salt. For some healthy bird food ideas, go to https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/

When you spot a bird, you could draw a picture of it. If it was too far away, or you didn’t get a good look, ask your grown up to find a picture of the bird for you. Then you can take your time drawing a picture. Take note of the shape of their body, their beak and what colours they are.

You could also look up some interesting facts about the bird that you spotted.

You could find out:

What they eat (diet),

Who eats them (predators),

Where they usually live (habitat),

How many eggs they lay each year,

And their size.

Then you could write down the best facts on your drawing. Soon you will have a fact file of birds, to keep and show your teacher and friends one day. 🙂🐦

Two good websites for finding bird facts are https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning/for-kids/facts-about-nature/

And https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/birds/

I have made some fact sheets about three birds that I saw in my garden: robin, blackbird and house sparrow.

What birds will you spot?

For more fun ideas on how to encourage your child to enjoy reading and writing, go to https://wordsforlife.org.uk/

Fluffy is kind

was morning, and Autumn the fox and Fluffy the hedgehog were sitting at the kitchen table, doing homeschooling.

“I just want to go back to normal,” Autumn sighed, “I miss all of our friends at school.”

“I miss them too,” agreed Fluffy, “and Mrs Badger too.”

The friends were learning maths, and it was tricky. Mr Hedgehog was trying to teach them, but he was a firefighter not a teacher.

“Just write 8,” huffed Mr Hedgehog.

“But how did you get the answer 8?” asked Autumn.

“I can’t explain, but the answer is 8,” he sighed.

Mr Hedgehog was brave and kind and an excellent firefighter, but he did not like maths.

“Can we have a break please Daddy? My brain hurts,” asked Fluffy.

“No, you can’t. Finish your maths first,” replied Mr Hedgehog.

“But we don’t understand it!” said Autumn.

She burst into tears and ran to her bedroom. She hated homeschooling and she hated lockdown. She lay down on her bed and cried.

Mr Hedgehog was sad. He didn’t mean to upset Autumn.

“I will go and have a chat with Autumn,” he said to his son Fluffy, “I know that you are both struggling with being at home all of the time.”

“I have a better idea, who don’t you make us both a hot chocolate, and bring it upstairs in a few minutes? I am going to do something to cheer Autumn up,” said the little hedgehog.

“Ok, that sounds like a good plan.”

So Fluffy got out the things that he needed for the surprise for his friend.

After a few minutes, he was finished.

“Ok Dad, are the hot chocolates ready?” He asked.

“Yes,” replied Mr Hedgehog, “with extra marshmallows.”

The two hedgehogs walked up the stairs to Autumn’s bedroom. She was still on her bed.

“I am sorry that you are sad,” said Fluffy, sitting down on the bed with the gift, “I made you something to cheer you up.”

Autumn sat up, wiping the tears from her furry cheeks.

“You got me something?” She sniffed.

“Well, I made you something.” He handed the gift to Autumn.

Mr Hedgehog put the hot chocolates onto the bedside table.

“Thank you,” said Autumn.

Autumn looked at the gift that Fluffy had made her.

“It’s a drawing of us!” She laughed, “thank you Fluffy, it’s lovely.” She gave her friend a big hug.

“You’re welcome,” smiled Fluffy.

“Look, we are in the forest where we met the sleeping bear last year,” said Autumn.

Autumn felt happy that her friend Fluffy was so kind and had made her a gift. Fluffy felt pleased that he had cheered up his friend.

After their drinks, the friends went back downstairs to finish their maths. Mr Hedgehog showed them a video about the work that they were learning, which helped them to understand.

That evening they uploaded a photo of Fluffy’s drawing for Mrs Badger to see.

“Well done, you have been kind to your friend,” wrote Mrs Badger, “two house points to Fluffy.”

Fluffy felt proud of himself. It was good to be kind.

The End

Illustrations by Bethany, age 7.