It's the perfect day to try a bit of bird-related art in honor of John James Audubon
John James Audubon, a naturalist and artist known best for his work with birds, was born April 26, 1785.
Hence today’s Google doodle with the beautiful bird theme.
If you’re feeling inspired to honor Audubon’s contributions to the worlds of art and science, consider making a bit of bird art with your children this week.
A few ideas…
- Build a birdhouse — from scratch or using a kit.
- Paint a bird at your local pottery painting joint.
- Write poems about some of your favorite birds.
- Take a walk to look for birds in your neighborhood.
- Cut bird pictures out of old magazines, then use them to create a collage on canvas or poster board.
- Use stencils to create whimsical bird designs along a wall in your child’s bedroom.
- Plant a bird friendly plant in your garden.
- Draw birds you see on exhibit at the Phoenix Zoo.
- Look for birds in art exhibited at the Phoenix Art Museum or Heard Museum.
- Take a sketchpad and pens/pencils along to draw birds you see at the Desert Botanical Garden or Rio Solado Audubon Society.
- Make bird designs by tracing your child’s spread out palm (a favorite with kids at Thanksgiving time).
- Sew simple birds using felt and embroidery floss, then use them to create a hanging mobile.
- Fold paper to make origami birds.
- Use bird puppets or plush (like those from the Audubon Society or Folkmanis Puppets) to create puppet shows full of birds.
- Read books about birds, then write your own bird stories.
- Draw birds that start with thumbprints made using colorful ink pads.
- Take photos of birds in your neighborhood or natural settings.
- Observe different birds, then make up dances that mirror their movements.
If you’ve got an idea for a bird-related craft or activity, please comment below to let our readers know. Or send photos of some of your family’s bird-related artwork so I can add them to this post for others to enjoy.
— Lynn
Note: Click here to learn more about the Rio Salado Audubon Center in Phoenix — which offers summer camps for children, as well as other programs for children and adults. Learn more about John James Audubon from PBS and the National Gallery of Art — and the National Audubon Society.
Coming up: Memphis meets movie theater
Update: The Arboretum at Flagstaff will hold “Saturday Morning Birdwalks” led by bird experts from local chapters of the Audubon Society during May, June and July. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. Learn more at www.thearb.org.
Stage Mom Musings 