On a spring day at Trailside Museum of Natural History in River Forest, bird calls echo through the trees and families wander the paths, pausing to take in the sights and sounds of the season. But for some visitors, those moments of inspiration turn into something more lasting. They turn into birdhouses, built by hand, shaped by imagination and rooted in a love of nature.
That is exactly what happened to Grace Winston and her son Ryan.
What began as a simple visit to Trailside a few years ago quickly became a family tradition. “We were walking through and I saw the birdhouses and I went, ‘Oh my gosh, we could do that,’” Grace recalled. Since then, the pair has entered the Trailside’s Birdhouse Building Contest multiple times.
The annual Birdhouse Building Contest started in 2016 at Trailside, modeled on a concept was originally created by Crabtree Nature Center. Trailside receives approximately 20 birdhouses every year for its four contest categories: Most Creative, Best for Birds, Best Kids, and People’s Choice.
The Winston’s connection to the Forest Preserves runs deeper than the competition itself. “We always like coming here, just looking around and enjoying all the different birds that we can see,” Grace said. For her, this time of year is especially meaningful. “You can see the birds that are migrating back north, and you hear the new bird calls. It’s so energizing. It just makes you feel good.”
That sense of joy carries into their designs.
Ryan, 11, approaches the contest with both creativity and a competitive edge. “I mean, I’m really competitive,” he said with a grin. “That’s one of the reasons I like this.” His 2025 birdhouse featured a mix of materials and textures, including glass elements on top and feathers on the front. “It was kind of my idea, but she helped me place them on,” he said of working with his mom.
The results speak for themselves. Ryan has taken first place in the kids’ category more than once, including last year. “It felt pretty good,” he said.
Grace also earned top honors in the previously recognized adult category last year, but for her, the real reward goes beyond ribbons or recognition. “It’s a great cause and a fun competition,” she said. “You’re able to express yourself artistically and attach it to something that we love.”
That shared experience is what makes the contest special. “It’s just a really neat bonding thing to do with your child,” Grace said. “I love it. I love the outcome.”
At home, their appreciation for birds continues, whether it is watching the activity at their backyard feeder or laughing at squirrels determined to get the bird seed. Those everyday moments feed the same curiosity and creativity that show up in their birdhouses.
Ryan describes their creative dynamic best. “She has the artistic side,” he said of his mom. “And I have more of the fun side and the creative side.” Grace agrees, noting that Ryan often brings ideas she would never have considered. “He thinks of really unique and fun ways to take things and put them together,” she said. “It’s something I would have never thought of.”
Each summer, the contest’s birdhouses are displayed throughout the garden at Trailside, where visitors can admire and vote on their favorites. If you would like to participate in the contest, you have until May 17 to submit a birdhouse. For more information, visit fpdcc.com/birdhouse-contest/.