Event · Citizen Science
Christmas Bird Count
Every December, tens of thousands of volunteers fan out across the country to count every bird they can find in a single day. The Christmas Bird Count is the longest-running citizen science project in America, and it welcomes families with kids of any age. Plan a full weekend around it and your family comes home with a life list, a story, and a new way of seeing the outdoors.
This page from Outside, the family adventure app, covers the Christmas Bird Count, an annual citizen science event organized by the National Audubon Society that has run every year since 1900. The page explains what the count is, when it takes place, how families with children ages 4 to 14 can participate, and how to build a memorable winter weekend around the experience. It includes planning guidance, tips for young birders, metadata, and frequently asked questions.
| Cost | Free to low cost; small participation fee at some counts |
|---|---|
| Region | Nationwide, plus Canada and Latin America |
| Season | Mid-December through early January |
| Difficulty | Easy, all ages welcome |
| Time commitment | One full day, typically sunrise to late afternoon |
What the Christmas Bird Count is
Every year, during a three-week window that runs from mid-December through early January, the National Audubon Society organizes one of the oldest and largest citizen science events in the world. Volunteers divide into teams, each assigned to a specific circular territory fifteen miles in diameter, and spend a full day counting every single bird they can find. The data collected over more than a century gives scientists a remarkable picture of how bird populations shift over time. Your family does not need to be expert birders to take part. You just need to show up, pay attention, and be willing to spend a day outside in winter.
A tradition that goes back to 1900
The count started on Christmas Day, 1900, when ornithologist Frank Chapman proposed an alternative to the holiday tradition of competitive bird shooting. He called it a Christmas Bird Census, and twenty-seven people took part that first year. Today, tens of thousands of volunteers participate across the United States, Canada, Latin America, and beyond, submitting counts to a database that scientists continue to use for serious research. When your kids join a count, they are stepping into a tradition that is older than most national parks, one that connects this December morning to every December morning stretching back to the turn of the last century.
How to find a count near you
The National Audubon Society maintains a searchable database of active count circles at audubon.org. Most local counts are organized by birding clubs, nature centers, or Audubon chapters, and the majority welcome families. Look for counts listed as beginner-friendly or family-friendly, or contact the count compiler directly and ask. Compilers are the volunteers who coordinate each count circle, and they are almost always happy to match new families with an experienced team leader who knows the territory. Registration is typically free or asks for a small participation fee that supports the Audubon Society's research.
What your family will actually do
On count day, your team meets early, usually before sunrise, and works a designated route through the morning. You walk, drive, or sometimes take a boat, scanning fields, feeders, ponds, and treelines. One person keeps a tally sheet while everyone else calls out sightings. Kids turn out to be remarkably good at this. Young eyes catch movement fast, and children who might fidget in other settings find something deeply satisfying about being trusted with a real job. By late morning most teams break for a warm meal, then head back out for an afternoon session. At day's end, teams phone or submit their totals to the count compiler.
How to build a full weekend around it
Count day itself lands on a single day, but the weekend around it deserves planning. The evening before, pull up a field guide together and review the birds you are likely to see in your region in winter. eBird, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's free database, lets you browse recent sightings near your count circle so you know what to expect. After the count, many local groups hold a tally rally, a casual gathering where all teams report their numbers and the total is announced. These rallies often happen at a nature center or a diner and feel like a genuine community celebration. Stay for it. It is where the day turns into a memory.
For lodging, look for state park cabins or small inns near your count territory. A cold-weather overnight near good birding habitat makes the early start feel like an expedition rather than an errand.
Gear and preparation for kids
Binoculars make a genuine difference, even basic ones. If your kids do not have their own, borrow a pair or pick up an inexpensive set before the trip. Dress in layers and plan for standing still in cold air, which feels colder than moving through it. Bring a thermos of something hot. Pack a printed or downloaded field guide for your region, or load the Merlin Bird ID app from the Cornell Lab, which identifies birds by photo or sound and works without a cell signal once you download your region. Give each child a job: one keeps the list, one manages the binoculars, one watches the sky. Shared responsibility keeps everyone invested.
Write down every bird your family spotted on count day, then pick one and describe exactly where you were and what you were doing the moment someone called it out.
Frequently asked questions
How old do kids need to be to participate in the Christmas Bird Count?
There is no minimum age. Many count teams include children as young as four or five when accompanied by a parent. Older kids in the 8 to 14 range often take on active roles like keeping the tally sheet or spotting with binoculars. Contact your local count compiler ahead of time to let them know you are bringing young children so they can match you with a family-friendly team and a manageable route.
Do we need to know a lot about birds before joining?
No prior experience is required. Most count circles actively recruit beginners and pair new participants with experienced birders who know the territory. You will learn more in one count day than in several weeks of casual birdwatching. Downloading the free Merlin Bird ID app before your count and spending an evening with a regional field guide is plenty of preparation.
When exactly does the Christmas Bird Count take place?
Each individual count happens on one chosen day within a window that the National Audubon Society sets annually, running roughly from December 14 through January 5. Different count circles schedule their specific day independently, so counts in your region may fall on weekdays or weekends throughout that three-week period. Check audubon.org early in the fall to find the dates for counts near you and plan accordingly.
What should we bring for a day of winter birdwatching with kids?
Dress everyone in warm, wind-resistant layers, and plan for periods of standing still in cold air. Bring a thermos of hot cocoa or soup, snacks, and waterproof boots. A pair of binoculars for each child makes a real difference in engagement. Download the Merlin Bird ID app and a regional field guide in advance. A small notebook and pencil for keeping a personal list gives kids a tangible record of the day.