World Bee Day is celebrated every May 20th to raise awareness about the essential role bees play in our ecosystems and food systems. For elementary school children, it's a perfect opportunity to explore nature, science, and creativity while learning how to protect these vital pollinators. My daughter absolutely loved the bee unit she did in second grade and she actually taught me new things about bees! While I knew about honey bees and bumblebees, I never knew about solitary bees (like mason bees, leafcutter bees, mining bees, carpenter bees, and sweat bees).
Bees might be small, but their impact on the world is enormous. These buzzing insects are some of nature’s most important pollinators. Without bees, much of the food we rely on every day would become scarce or disappear entirely. In fact, about one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators like bees. Apples, strawberries, cucumbers, blueberries, almonds, and even chocolate rely on pollination. I have had to hand pollinate plants in my indoor garden and I can’t imagine a world in which we don’t have these magnificent insects to pollinate plants for us! Bees don’t just help humans, they’re vital for entire ecosystems. By helping wild plants reproduce, bees support the animals that depend on those plants for food and shelter. Birds, mammals, and even other insects rely on the plants that bees help grow.
Bees are fascinating creatures with unique anatomy and complex social behaviors. A bee’s body is divided into three main parts: the head, which holds the eyes, antennae, and a long tongue called a proboscis for sipping nectar; the thorax, which powers the wings and legs; and the abdomen, which contains important organs and, in some species, a stinger. Bees also have five eyes! They have two large compound eyes and three smaller simple eyes that help them detect movement and light. In social species like honeybees, bees live in highly organized colonies made up of a queen, worker bees, and drones. The queen lays all the eggs, the workers (all female) gather food, care for young, and maintain the hive, while the drones (males) exist mainly to mate with a queen. Worker bees also perform a special “waggle dance” to tell others where to find food. This teamwork and division of labor allow the hive to function smoothly and thrive.
Unfortunately, bee populations around the world are in decline due to habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, and disease. My neighbor and my sister both lost their hives last year and it was devastating. When bee numbers drop, it affects the stability of food chains and the biodiversity of entire environments. Pesticides, especially neonicotinoids and glyphosphates, can disrupt bees' ability to navigate, forage, and reproduce, while herbicides destroy the flowering plants they rely on for food. This is especially true when pesticides are used on dandelions, which are a bee’s first and often only source of food in early spring. I have a blog coming soon about different ways that you can use dandelions from your garden if they are pesticide-free.
Habitat loss from urban development and industrial farming leaves bees with fewer places to live and forage, especially wild bees that need undisturbed natural spaces. Climate change adds more challenges by shifting when flowers bloom, increasing extreme weather, and allowing pests to spread. Speaking of pests, bees are also under attack from parasites like the Varroa mite and diseases that can quickly weaken or collapse entire colonies. Together, these threats put not only bees at risk, but also the ecosystems and food systems that depend on them.
Helping kids understand the importance of bees isn’t just about saving one species, it’s about protecting our food, our environment, and the future health of our planet.
How to Help Bees Thrive
Children (and adults) can take simple actions to support bee populations:
- Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers: Encourage planting of native flowers that provide nectar and pollen.
- Avoid Pesticides: Teach kids about the harmful effects of pesticides on bees. I will be writing a blog on organic pest management soon!
- Provide Water Sources: A shallow dish with water and pebbles can help thirsty bees.
- Support Local Beekeepers: Buying local honey supports sustainable beekeeping practices.
Fun Activities to Celebrate World Bee Day
Bee Anatomy Activities:
- Discover bee anatomy with this FREE worksheet!
- Create a 3D paper bee model to learn about bee body parts. This hands-on activity reinforces anatomy lessons.
Pollination Simulation Game:
Use cotton balls and colored powders to simulate how bees transfer pollen between flowers, demonstrating the pollination process. Here is a FREE template!
Bee-Themed Storytime:
Read engaging books to introduce children to bee ecology and conservation.
- The Bee Book by Charlotte Milner: An informative guide with beautiful illustrations.
- The Thing About Bees by Shabazz Larkin: A heartfelt story that combines love and science.
- The Honey Makers by Gail Gibbons: A book with detailed illustrations and diagrams that make complex scientific concepts understandable and entertaining for young readers.
Bee Dance Activity:
Teach kids the "waggle dance" bees use to communicate the location of food sources. Download our FREE handout on the waggle dance to learn more about the waggle dance. Have them create their own dances to direct classmates to hidden "nectar" spots.
Build a Bee Hotel:
Using recycled materials, construct simple bee hotels to provide solitary bees with nesting sites. Click here to get a free printable guide to this project.
Taste Test:
Sample different types of honey and discuss how the flowers bees visit influence honey's flavor and color.
By engaging in these activities, children not only learn about bees but also develop a sense of responsibility toward environmental stewardship. Celebrating World Bee Day fosters curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to protecting our planet's vital pollinators.
By engaging in these activities, children not only learn about bees but also develop a sense of responsibility toward environmental stewardship. Celebrating World Bee Day fosters curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to protecting our planet's vital pollinators.
