Updated April 29, 2024
Are you looking for a fun spring craft for kids?
Try our fork painting bird craft!
This is a perfect fine motor activity for toddlers and preschoolers.
And a fun way to teach them colors.
Fork Painting Bird Craft For Kids
Supply list:
- Colored Cardstock
- Brown Craft Paint
- Glue
- Scissors
- Googly Eyes:
- Fork:
- Colored Paper
- Pencil or Pen
- Foam hearts from the Dollar Store (not required but if you have them they make the perfect body for the birds
- Printable bird template
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prep the Shapes:
Start by folding your colored paper in half.
Draw a heart shape along the fold to create a symmetrical bird when you cut it out.
Think of it like a semi-oval with one pointed end for the tail.
Cut out the heart shape and then unfold and cut down the middle it to have a full-bodied bird.
Or print out our bird template, you’ll need to print 4 copies if you want to make all 4 colored birds.
Now, cut a small triangle from the yellow-colored paper for the beak.
Cut out a black circle for the eye.
2. Assemble the Bird:
Glue the black circle and googly eye to the bird’s head.
Then, glue the triangle beak onto the face.
I did not make legs and feet for the bird because I wanted it to sit in the nest.
But you can easily add legs and feet if you want.
3. Make the Nest:
Pour some brown paint onto a palette or a disposable plate.
Dip the back of the fork into the brown paint.
Press the fork onto the cardstock and lift to create a textured effect.
This will be the nest.
Have your kids repeat this process, overlapping the fork prints to build up a nest shape.
I laid the bird on the paper and stamped the nest around the bird to get the shape of the nest, but you can have your kids stamp-paint the nest on the paper first if that is easier for them.
4. Put It All Together:
Once the paint has dried, glue the bird above the nest on the cardstock.
You can choose to have the bird directly above the nest or off to the side as if it’s about to land.
5. Finishing Touches:
Add any details you like, such as painting eggs in the nest or cutting out and gluing leaves or flowers around it.
As your kids use scissors to cut out the bird shapes, they’re giving their fine motor skills a good workout
Think of it as strength training for those little fingers, getting them ready for all sorts of tasks, from buttoning their own shirts to gripping a pencil in kindergarten.
And let’s not forget about the fork-painting part.
It might seem like they’re just playing with paint and cutlery, but really, they’re learning to coordinate their eyes and hands.
Every time they stamp that fork at the paper, your kids are practicing their hand-eye coordination, getting more precise each time they lift and press down to make those nest prints.
Get your FREE printable bird template here.
Additional Bird activities for toddlers and preschoolers
- Bird Watching: Grab a pair of binoculars and a local bird guide, and step into your backyard or a nearby park.
Make it a game to spot as many different kinds of birds as you can.
Listen for their calls and songs – it’s like nature’s playlist, and it’s live!
- DIY Bird Feeder: Keep the bird theme going and invite some real feathered friends over.
The linked craft above is for frozen suncatcher bird feeders which is a great winter craft.
For spring and summer crafts you can make a simple feeder with just a pine cone, some peanut butter, and birdseed.
Hang it up and watch who comes to visit.
It’s like a mini science experiment:
Which birds like which seeds?
- Nature Center Excursion: Many nature centers have exhibits on local wildlife, including birds.
Some even have live demonstrations or interactive exhibits.
It’s a chance for kids to see up close the creatures they’ve been imitating with paper and paint.
- Backyard Habitat: Convert a corner of your garden into a bird paradise with plants that attract birds.
Kids can learn about ecosystems and how each plant and bird species play a role.
It is an easy and fun outdoor activity that is perfect for warm spring and summer days
Bird Books For Toddlers And Preschoolers
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Birds by Catherine D. Hughes – A colorful introduction to birds for young readers, featuring a range of species from backyard regulars to more unusual ones found in different habitats around the world.
Bird Builds a Nest: A First Science Storybook – This book follows a bird’s process of building a nest, providing a narrative that weaves in elements of science and nature.
The Little Book of Backyard Bird Songs by Andrea Pinnington and Caz Buckingham – An interactive book that includes recordings of twelve bird songs, helping little ones identify and differentiate the sounds of common North American birds.
Bird Hugs by Ged Adamson – The story of Bernard, a bird with long wings who discovers his unique abilities, promoting self-acceptance and the celebration of individual differences.
Birds, Nests & Eggs by Mel Borin – This take-along guide helps children identify 15 kinds of birds, learn about their nesting habits, and explore their young.
National Geographic Kids Look and Learn Birds – A board book that introduces birds to young readers with vibrant pictures and simple, engaging text.
My Backyard Bird Book: Fun Facts & Surprising Secrets – A fun and educational exploration of birds, this book introduces children to the diverse species that can be found in urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Mrs. Peanuckle’s Bird Alphabet by Mrs. Peanuckle – A journey through the alphabet with each letter introducing a new bird species, filled with interesting facts and vibrant illustrations.
Fine Feathered Friends: All About Birds (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) – Join the Cat in the Hat on a bird-watching tour, discovering different species of birds and their unique characteristics.
A Nest Is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long – a beautifully illustrated book that explores the world of nests and the animals that create them, not limited to just birds.
Let me know in the comments if you make this craft!
