This past December, I had the joy of collaborating with Alex Bodden, president of the South Okanagan Naturalist Society, to bring the first-ever Christmas Bird Count for Kids to Penticton, BC. The event was a resounding success, sparking excitement among families and young nature enthusiasts alike. After sharing highlights from the day on social media, my inbox filled with questions from parents: How can I organize a Christmas Bird Count for Kids in my community? If you’ve been wondering the same, this article is for you. Here, you’ll find practical tips and fun activities for planning a memorable and family-friendly Christmas Bird Count for Kids experience.

The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is North America’s longest-running Citizen Science project, with roots stretching back to December 25, 1900. Acording to the National Audubon Soceity, it all began when ornithologist (bird expert and sceitist) Frank M. Chapman proposed a groundbreaking idea: a “Christmas Bird Census” to replace the traditional Christmas “Side Hunt.” Instead of hunting birds, people would be counting them—making a lasting impact on bird conservation.

Today, the CBC has grown into a massive effort spanning from December 14th to January 5th, engaging participants across Canada, the United States, and over 20 other countries. During this time, birding experts, enthusiasts, and volunteers venture outdoors to record bird species in designated areas. Their observations contribute to a vast database used by conservation biologists, researchers, naturalists, and environmental planners. Best of all, the Christmas Bird Count is an inclusive event, welcoming Citizen Scientists of all ages and abilites—even kids!

The idea of a Christmas Bird Count tailored for kids came along much later than the original CBC. According to the Rocky Point Bird Observatory, the first Christmas Bird Count for Kids (CBC4Kids) took flight in 2007, thanks to a partnership between Sonoma Birding in the USA and Birds Canada. Designed with young birders in mind, this event combines the spirit of the traditional CBC with a family-friendly twist: engaging activities, accessible locations, and plenty of fun refreshments to make it memorable for kids and families alike.

Since the CBC4Kids is a bit newer, there aren’t as many resources available online to help parents or volunteers plan this event. That’s where I come in! In this article, I’ll break down the steps to help you create your own successful and inspiring CBC4Kids.

The Christmas Bird Count is a well-organized event, supported by a network of Compilers and Count Circles across Canada, the United States, and beyond. To set up a Christmas Bird Count for Kids, the first step is to locate the Count Circle closest to you and reach out to its designated Compiler.

You can easily find this information using the Birds Canada Christmas Bird Count Map (Canada) or the Audubon Christmas Bird Count Map (United States).

If you’re unfamiliar with Compilers and Count Circles, here’s a quick overview:

• Compilers are dedicated volunteers who oversee a specific Count Circle. They manage the collection of bird species and population data, summarize and submit the findings, and provide support to volunteers as needed. Essentially, they act as coordinators, trainers, and guides for their area’s Christmas Bird Count activities.
• Count Circles are predefined areas where the Christmas Bird Counts are conducted. Each circle spans 15 miles (24 km) in diameter and is assigned to a Compiler. These circles are the focus of all bird-counting efforts, which take place on a designated day between December 14th and January 5th.

When you contact the Compiler, explain your interest in organizing a Christmas Bird Count for Kids. Compilers are experienced volunteers who oversee bird counts in their area and can guide you through the process or connect you with helpful resources. Some may even be able to participate in your event!

Recruit Expert Birders

You don’t need to be an expert in bird species to organize a Christmas Bird Count for Kids. I’m no expert! If the thought of identifying every bird in your area feels overwhelming, don’t worry—you just need to recruit knowledgeable birders to help.

That’s why it’s important to start with your locacal Compiler. You can find their contact information on the Count Circle maps provided by Birds Canada (Canada) or Audubon (United States).  Compilers are there to guide you and may be able to offer advice, resources, or even connect you with birding experts who can assist with your event.

The truth is, many birders are very passionate about sharing their love of birds with children and are often more than willing to help. That said, you might encounter the occasional curmudgeon. If this happens, don’t be discouraged! A friendly smile and a polite inquiry—“Do you know someone else who might be interested?”—can go a long way in finding the right support for your event.

Consider Sponsors

Getting sponsors for your CBC4Kids event is a great way to make it more accessible and impactful. Sponsorships can help cover the cost of supplies, making it easier to keep the event free and remove barriers for families who want to participate.

Reach out to local naturalist clubs, environmental education centers, city programs, or other community organizations that share a mission of connecting families and children with nature. Explain your goals for the event and how their support could make a difference. Be sure to highlight how their sponsorship will be recognized—for example, listing their name and logo on event posters or even including them in the event name if they make a significant contribution.

Gather Volunteers

Volunteers are essential to the success of your CBC4Kids event. From setting up refreshments and managing sign-in to preparing craft activities and creating promotional materials, there are plenty of roles to fill. As the saying goes, “many hands make light work,” and this event is no exception.

Consider reaching out to teenagers in your community, especially those looking to earn community service hours for school. This is a fantastic opportunity for them to contribute while gaining valuable experience and fostering a connection with nature.

Event Registration

If you’re hosting a CBC4Kids event in Canada, Birds Canada provides a registration link to officially register your event. This helps ensure your event is part of the larger network and can connect you with valuable resources. You can find the registration link here.

Event Promotion

Give families plenty of notice about your CBC4Kids event, especially since it takes place during a busy time of year. Aim to announce the event a three to four weeks in advance to help families plan ahead. Create an eye-catching poster with all the event details—tools like Canva make this quick and easy!

Share your poster on social media platforms and in local community spaces like libraries, recreation centers, skating rinks, and schools.

Participant Registration

Aask participants to pre-register using an online form or by replying to an email—whichever method works best for you. Pre-registration helps you keep track of the number of attendees and plan accordingly.

A couple of days before the event, send out a confirmation email with key details.

Remind participants to:

• Dress appropriately for the weather.
• Bring binoculars, if they have them (or let them know if you’ll provide extras).
• Note the location, start time, and any additional information they need to know.
• Supervise their children at all times (this is not a drop off event!)

If necessary, include a liability waiver in the registration process or at the event.

Here is a sample of a poster created by a volunteer for our event:

The big day is here! Start by asking your volunteers to arrive at least an hour before the event begins to help set up the venue and receive final instructions. Assign one volunteer to manage the sign-in table to keep track of families as they arrive and to gather your final attendance numbers. Once everyone has arrived, kick off the event with a brief welcome and explanation of how the Christmas Bird Count for Kids will unfold. Once everyone has arrived, kick off the event with a brief welcome and explanation of how the Christmas Bird Count for Kids will unfold.

Important Note: Helping Parents and Children Connect with Nature

At heart, CBC4Kids is an event to help parents and children connect with nature, with a specific focus on birds. It’s important to remind birding experts and volunteers that children need to move, explore, ask question, touch (when appropriate), look, listen and and be immersed in the experience as much as possible. As long as children are staying out of serious harms way and being kind to each other and nature, their childlike curiosity should be encouraged as much as possible.

Who’s Counting? Choosing a Dedicated Bird Counter

Each group should include:

1. A bird guide to help identify species and lead the group.
2. A bird counter to record the species and number of birds spotted.
3. A Bird Tally Form: Birds Canada offers a kid-friendly Bird Tally Form that you can print and use.

The bird counter role can be filled by a volunteer parent, an older child, or even an enthusiastic young birder. During our event, an 11-year-old with an incredible knowledge of birds took on this role and did a fantastic job!

Providing Bird ID Guides

To help participants identify and enjoy the birds they encounter, have bird identification tools available. These can include:

• Photo Guides: Create or provide a color photo guide of local bird species for children and parents. Consult your birding guides for recommendations or collaborate with them to make one specifically for your event.
• Bird Posters: Place laminated posters of common bird species along the trail, especially in areas where certain birds are likely to be spotted.
• Birding Apps: Suggest easy-to-use bird identification apps like Merlin Bird ID or eBird, which are great for parents and older kids to explore.

Tip: Laminate the photo guide, punch two holes at the bottom, and thread a string or rope through it so children can wear it around their necks. This makes it convenient to use and allows the guide to be reused in future events.

Providing Binoculars

Binoculars can make birdwatching more exciting, especially for kids who might be seeing birds up close for the first time. That being said, most kid prefer to to watch birds without binoculars. If possible:

• Provide Loaner Binoculars: Have a few pairs of binoculars available for participants  to try them out.
• Teach Binocular Basics: Set up a quick station at the start of the event to teach kids and parents how to focus and use binoculars effectively.
• Kid-Friendly Binoculars: Consider investing in lightweight, durable binoculars designed for children that can be reused for future events. Sometimes kid binoculars can be loaned from libraries or envinromental learning centers.

Sharing and Tallying Up

When the groups return to the venue, gather everyone for a casual sharing session. Encourage bird guides to talk about the birds and other wildlife each group encountered. This informal conversation adds excitement and helps children reflect on their observations.

Finally, work with your bird guides to tally up the total species and bird counts. Submit this data to your Compiler to contribute to the broader Christmas Bird Count database.

A Big List of Beautiful Bird Picture Books for Children

Before wrapping up your CBC4Kids event, take a moment to thank everyone who participated. Express your appreciation to families for coming out and engaging in this wonderful citizen science initiative.

Pay special attention to your volunteers and birding experts, as their time, effort, and expertise are what make the event possible. A heartfelt thank-you—whether shared in person, in a follow-up email, or even in a post-event social media shoutout—goes a long way in fostering goodwill and encouraging future involvement.

Consider small gestures of appreciation, such as:

• Sending a personalized thank-you email or note.
• Sharing photos and highlights from the event with participants and volunteers.
• Recognizing your sponsors, volunteers, and birding guides publicly in your event summary.

After your CBC4Kids event, set aside a few moments to jot down some notes while the experience is still fresh in your mind. 

• What worked well?
  Did the location, schedule, or activities resonate with families? Were the groups well-organized? What feedback did participants and volunteers share?

• What would you change next time?
  Were there logistical challenges, such as group sizes or unclear instructions? Did you need more volunteers, supplies, or preparation in certain areas?

How to Go Bird Watching with Children

References

• “History of the Christmas Bird Count.” Audubon, 6 Nov. 2024, www.audubon.org/community-science/christmas-bird-count/history-christmas-bird-count.
• LeBaron, Geoff. “Christmas Bird Counts in Latin America and the Caribbean Add Valuable Bird Data.” Audubon, 21 Feb. 2023, www.audubon.org/news/christmas-bird-counts-latin-america-and-caribbean-add-valuable-bird-data.