Build a Nest

Use materials that birds could find to build a nest for an egg – and then imagine doing it with feathers instead of fingers.

Suggested Program Level: Daisy

- 1 hardboiled egg per girl
- twigs
- leaves
- string or yarn cut into 3-4 inch pieces
- mud (or dirt and water)
- straw
- grass
- newspapers (optional)
  1. Cover the work surface with newspapers – this would be an ideal outdoor activity if possible.
  2. Explain to the girls that they are going to each build a nest for their egg. Brainstorm with them about how birds find their building materials – they don’t run to the hardware store!
  3. If your space allows, the girls can go gather some fallen materials outside. Explain that they should only take items that have already fallen to the ground.
  4. Gather the girls around the materials you have already collected, and have them add anything that they found.
  5. Let the girls decide their best way to build a nest for their egg. They may try several methods, and no two nests will be built the same way. The girls may want to check the progress of their building with their egg, but the eggs should be kept in a safe spot during most of the building.
  6. As girls finish their nests, they can keep their egg in the nest. Once everyone is finished, let each girl share how she decided to build her nest. Talk with the girls about which materials were the easiest to work with, and how they would build another nest if given the opportunity.
  7. Remind the girls that birds build very strong nests by using their feet and their beaks along with their wings. If your girls have access to the internet or a library, you may want to look for more information on how birds build their nests.
All animals need food, water, space and shelters to survive. Birds build nests as part of their shelter, and that is where they lay eggs. Some bird nests are very tiny, where large birds such as hawks and eagles can build nests that are several feet wide. The location birds choose to build their nests is important too, it needs to be safe from predators and the weather elements.