Encouraging outdoor play

Birds' Nests

Some species of birds build incredibly intricate, finely woven nests, which are delicate and light yet strong enough to protect the eggs and nestlings. Nests made by human fingers cannot compare with the complex structures created by birds, but it is fun to have a go, using whatever materials can be found.

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Making your own Bird's nest

Nests provide shelter and warmth and, most importantly, a safe place where adult birds can lay and incubate eggs and rear their young.

Show the children a photograph of a nest, or better still a real bird's nest, so that they can see what materials are used and how a nest might be constructed. Birds' nests are made in all sorts of shapes and sizes. A Magpie's nest is an untidy assemblage of large twigs usually positioned high up among the branches, whereas the blue tit builds a neat nest of moss, wool and feathers and often conceals it in a hole in a tree or wall. The house martin, on the other hand, moulds a nest of mud against the eaves of a building.

• Encourage the children to collect suitable nesting materials. Birds use twigs, grasses, stems, rushes, mud, moss, lichen, feathers, seedheads, sheep's wool, spider's webs and animal fur. Some even use man-made materials such as string, plastic twine or bits of paper.

• Explain that nesting materials have two main functions: to provide support and insulate.

• Remind the children how easy it is for us to collect materials, whereas a small bird makes hundreds or even thousands or journeys to gather everything it needs.

• Encourage the children to weave and thread twigs or stems together to make the base of the nest, and then line it with softer materials. The nest could be any design - large or small, open or covered - so long as it holds it together.

• Most children will attempt a cup-shaped nest. A bird would weave the materials roughly in place, then sit in the centre of the nest and turn round and round, pushing downwards and outwards with its breast to create the right shape. Encourage the children to imagine their fist is the bird's body; perhaps by turning it and applying gentle pressure they might be able to create a cup-shaped nest.

• Put the nests in tree or shrubs or in a hedgerow or wall. Youngsters like to believe that a bird may come along and use their nest, so encourage them to find a protected place safe from predators.

• Those who want more of a challenge could try making a nest for a particular species of bird, such as a moulded mud nest for a Martin or Swallow. Search your local library for a children's bird book with photographs of nests to give you idea.

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