Looking for new ways to help your family appreciate nature's creatures? You can attract many types of colorful and interesting birds by simply providing food, water and shelter.

You don't need to go to the extent of putting up a bird feeder. Simply planting a sunflower patch and a few cosmos will feed the birds. It's fun to watch them do balancing acts to harvest the flower seeds.

Birds also get thirsty and like to stay clean. Set up a birdbath next to a window to provide many delightful hours of watching the birds splashing in the water.

A trip to the library can provide a reference book and give you new ideas for a more elaborate bird feeder, simple birdbaths and birdhouses.