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Why is this fuzzy yellow and black striped bug the victim of such a bad rap? Did you know that pollinators like bees are responsible for 1 out of 3 bites of food we eat everyday? Let’s teach our kids to appreciate the sweetness bees create, rather than their sting. So how can we support these brilliant bugs. Here are five bee activities that will keep your kids buzzing with activity.
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1. Plant a bee friendly garden!
By planting a bee friendly garden, you add to the shrinking supply of pollinator friendly habitats in the area. In return, the bees being the hard workers that they are, pollinate your garden. This increases your yield of the flowers, fruits, seeds and vegetables. Some tips to keep in mind. First, plant local pesticide-free blue and orange flowers. NY native plants like lavender, spearmint, violet luscious grape, blue supertunia bordeaux, orange luscious citrus blend, and local Sunset Park wheatgrass by Union Square Grassman are best for bees. The orange luscious citrus blend has quickly become a yard favorite because of its amazing citrusy nectar scent.
2. Waggle Dance Party
Did you know that bees dance at work? When a foraging honey bee finds success scouting for nector, it performs a carefully choreographed “waggle” dance to signal to the hive there is food. Here is a great activity to do with your kids next time you’re out in the garden!
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3. Bee-utiful Honey Facials
Teach your kids that honey’s beneficial nutrients not only feed our bodies, but can also heal and nourish our skin. In a small mixing bowl, place 1 ripe banana and mash it wish a fork into a lump free pulp. Then mix in 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and combine the ingredients thoroughly. Wash your face with a gentle soap and pat dry with a soft towel. Using clean fingers, rub the mask into your face. Apply the mask in a slightly thick layer so it has time to sink in. Keep on for 10 – 15 minutes. When the time is up, wash your face with warm water and do not use soap. And voila! We do bee-lieve you will be left with glowing radiant skin.
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4. Honey Tasting
Did you know honey is the only unprocessed sweetener found in nature? Make an extra special afternoon snack by putting together a honey tasting. Arrange crackers, fruit, and cheese along with different types of honey (Bamboo, Buckwheat, Clover, Goldenrod, Orange Blossom, Star Thistle, and Wildflower). Have your children sample each honey. After they have tasted each honey, talk about the differences between the samples. Could they taste any difference? What makes the honeys different? Which one is their favorite? A great way to get picky eaters try new foods!
5. Read about Fred, a Brooklyn Beekeeper:
The longtime Fort Greene resident Lela Narg wrote a dreamy children’s book where bees fly over Brooklyn, and their honey is flavored by the nectar of linden trees commonly found there. The are kindly tended to by Fred, the Honeybee Man. The book explains the basics of beekeeping, which became legal in the city in 2010. A buzz worth book to read during story time.
If you are interested in learning more, here are a few resources:
- Beekeepers Association of New York City
- Empire State Honey Producers Association
- National Honey Board – Suppliers in New York
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Gisselle Madariaga has been a camp director at ButterBeans Summer Camp for three years. She is a Wellness in the Schools chef where she teaches children the joys of cooking and wellness.
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