With summer break upon us, you probably already have a calendar full of events to keep your kids busy. And while kids definitely need their outdoor time, let’s face it: they’re probably going to have some screen time too. So why not make that time count, with nature-themed, educational online activities for kids of all ages? Here are some of our favorites:

Audubon for Kids

The Audubon for Kids webpage.

The leader in all things birding, the National Audubon Society also has something for the young nature lover: Audubon for Kids. This collection of games and DIY activities can be enjoyed indoors or out, with something for every age. They can get to know their favorite birds, including hummingbirds and owls, through short, fun facts, and play themed games that teach them more about these birds. Kids can watch short videos showcasing different birds and their unique vocalizations and behaviors. And online games, like Whose Beak? Whose Feet?, get young ones involved in interactive learning experiences that make an impact.

PBS Kids Nature Games

The PBS Kids web page.

From the same network that gave us gems like Mister Rogers and Sesame Street, PBS has created PBS Kids for online generations. Nature-themed games teach valuable lessons to kids on how to become good stewards of the earth. For example, the game Rescue Ecotopia, which guides kids on a journey of saving an ecosystem by learning about and adding the resources it needs to thrive. Duck Dash takes the child along on a duck migration, and they must navigate the wind, gulls, and other obstacles to stay on course. With dozens of games, this site will keep your young one entertained for a while.

National Geographic Kids

The National Geographic Kids web page.

Want to explore photos, videos, and games filled with National Geographic’s best? Then try National Geographic Kids, their portal for the young naturalist. From showcasing the gorgeous, up-close-and-personal animal photos and videos they’re known for, National Geographic kids uses this eye-catching imagery to teach kids about wildlife in short, fun videos and animal profiles. If your kids want to skip right to the games, there are several to choose from. Bubble Burst is simple enough for very young ones, and addictive for all ages. Between popping virtual bubbles, kids learn fun facts about rainforests and the animals that live there.

Switch Zoo Animal Games and Music

The Switch Zoo web page.

Named for its popular game that lets you swap animal body parts to create your own, unique creation, Switch Zoo is a fun and creative way to teach children about the world around them. The website also guides kids through an interactive journey on how to build their own biome, including adding the right plants, temperature, rainfall, and animals that will thrive. Our favorite? The Words of a Feather game, which helps kids match the feather to the right bird, teaching them fun avian facts along the way. And make sure you check out the Animal Music section—it samples sounds of birds and animals vocalizing to the works of Beethoven and other classical favorites.

The RSPB’s “For Kids” Page

The RSPB For Kids web page.

You don’t have to live across the pond to enjoy compelling kid content from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). Based in the UK, this charitable organization that focuses on bird conservation has a For Kids section of their site dedicated to teaching kids about being kind to nature. DIY activities like Build a Birdbath get them out in nature. There are also many online games and activities to choose from, like Hungry Birds, a beat-the-clock game where you have to feed hungry chicks the right foods to win points. And the Who Am I? game helps them match cute baby animals to their parents. 

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Live Bird Cams

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Bird Cams page.

Get up close and personal with a variety of birds on The Cornell Lab of Ornithology website. Their list of live bird cams includes bird species from Barred Owls and Red-tailed Hawks to the Northern Royal Albatrosses of New Zealand. Want to hit the highlights? Watch American Crows share a meal at an Ontario feeder. Or see a pair of Red-tailed Hawks ready their nest for incubation. You can also check out this Common Basilisk lizard steal fruit from a Panama fruit feeder.

Want more? Check out Chirp’s favorite live bird cams.

Chirp Nature Center’s Virtual Bird Walks and Talks

Can’t make it to a live Chirp event, or live out of the area? No problem! The Chirp YouTube channel is full of pre-recorded virtual events. Go with your kids on a virtual guided Bird Walk with us, where you’ll see a variety of Big Bear Valley birds, and learn more about them as you go. And our Bird Talk events showcase experts that include scientists, authors, zoo keepers, and more as they share little-known facts about our favorite birds. Some talks even include live visual aids—like Hooty, the Great Horned Owl from the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.

Want More Kid’s Resources?

A young boy plays a game on his tablet while seated at a table.

At Chirp, we are all about building a community of bird and nature lovers of all ages. To further this mission, we’ve created several tools and resources to help kids learn more about the natural world and how to protect it. These resources include:

Books and gifts:

Activities:

Blog posts: