Plants and nature
Watch birds from a window
Sit by a window together, watch for birds, and describe their colors and how they move.
Who might enjoy it: People who enjoy gardens, nature programs or feeding birds, and anyone who likes to sit and watch the world go by. Good for a slow, restful afternoon.
- Setup
- About 2 minutes
- Activity
- 10–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Mess
- No mess
- Where
- Seated-friendly, bedside
- Help
- Someone nearby
Materials: 5 everyday things, listed below
What you need
- A comfortable chair or bed positioned by a window with a view outside
- A blanket or shawl for the lap
- A sheet of paper and a few colored pencils or crayons
- Binoculars or a magnifier, if they enjoy them
- Optional: a bird feeder or bowl of water in view of the window
No need to buy anything special
- No window with a view? Watch a bird feeder on a balcony, or a short video of birds.
- No paper? Describe the birds aloud, or trace their path in the air with a finger.
What to do
- Settle into a chair or bed by the window, with a blanket and a drink within reach.
- Ask what they can see outside, or invite them to look for birds for a minute.
- Wait quietly until a bird lands or flies past.
- Ask what color the bird is, or what it is doing.
- Trace the bird's path in the air with one finger, slowly, as it moves.
- Draw a simple shape of the bird on the paper, using the color they name.
- Listen for calls or song, and talk about how they sound.
- Close the curtain if the glare is strong, and stop when they are ready.
It is okay to stop or change it
It is fine to stop when the birds leave. Close the curtain, sit quietly together, and try again on another day.
Make it easier or different
- Make it easier
- Use a ready-made chart with simple bird shapes to color in. The only jobs are choosing colors and pointing out the birds.
- In bed or an armchair
- Prop pillows behind them so they can see the window from bed. Keep the watch short, ten minutes or less, and rest between birds.
- For low vision
- Use bold colored markers on large paper and describe the birds' size and movement aloud. Bring the chair closer to the window.
- With children
- A child draws the birds on the paper while the older adult describes their colors and how they move.
Safety
- Window glare can be strong. Use a sheer curtain or move the chair so the sun is not in the eyes.
- Glass can be cold in winter or hot in summer. Keep a blanket on the lap and the room at a comfortable temperature.
- Keep the window closed or fitted with a safety stop. Never let anyone lean out to see a bird.
- Check glasses are clean and on before watching, so details are easier to see.
These are practical suggestions, not medical advice. You know the person best.
Watching birds needs nothing more than a window and a few minutes of patience. The person decides what to notice, whether that is color, movement or song, and a drawing can be as simple as a shape. It suits a quiet afternoon at the bedside as well as a visit with the family.