Spending time outdoors is beneficial for everyone, but it’s not always easy to get your kids out of the house. With that said, you don’t have to wait until they’re older to teach them about beekeeping. In fact, you should let them help now so they can learn the best practices and major principles of beekeeping early on. Whether they want to be beekeepers or just spend time with you, check out these five ways to involve your kids with backyard beekeeping.
Let Them Decorate the Bee Box
Kids need opportunities to be creative, and this is the perfect chance. You should let your children decorate the bee box in bright, vibrant colors to give your bees a beautiful place to live. Whether the kids paint the box with floral patterns or another theme, they’ll love being a part of your beekeeping journey even though their role is small.
Allow Them To Brush Bees From the Frames
Once your kids are comfortable being outside when you care for the bees, consider allowing them to brush bees from the honey frames when you need to harvest honey or conduct a hive inspection. Although this can be risky for some people, you must teach your children to be gentle with the bees and avoid quick, sudden movements. Show them how to slowly brush the bees away without harming them or making them feel threatened.
Let Them Hold the Smoker
Smokers are important pieces of equipment for beekeepers, and it’s a great way to keep your bees calm when you’re entering the hive in any way. If you don’t want your child to be the one to come in direct contact with the bees, letting them hold the smoker while you remove the frames is an excellent way to acquaint the kids with the bee hive.
Teach Them About Pollinators
There are various important pollinators in the world, and you should teach your children about them to ensure they understand the role of pollinators in the environment. Additionally, you can tell the children that bees are easily the most common pollinators, and that they have the opportunity to help the population through beekeeping. With this simple lesson, your kids will be more likely to develop a love for honeybees and other beneficial pollinators.
Show Them How To Conduct a Hive Inspection
Hive inspections are incredibly important for the health of your colony as a whole, and you should show your kids how to conduct one. Explain what to look for, and what mites and other parasites look like before you take them out to the hive; this way, they’ll have a good idea of what to expect before you start the inspection.
With these five ways to involve your kids with backyard beekeeping, you can teach them how to carry on a family tradition. Whether you need beekeeping gear or you’re looking for nuc bee hives for sale, The B Farm has what you need. This hobby is both rewarding and kind, but nothing tops the delicious flavor of fresh, raw honey in your tea or on your biscuit.