Spring Bees and Flowers
Half the group are flowers planted in hoops holding pollen (yellow scarves) and the other half are bees flying from flower to flower, gently gathering pollen and carrying it to the hive. Kids work on moving while carrying objects and teamwork between two roles.
How to play
- The teacher explains that in spring bees visit flowers to make honey; we spread the hoops around and put the hive (basket) in the middle (2 min).
- Flowers stand inside their hoop holding two pollen scarves with arms open; bees fly around buzzing (2 min).
- Each bee lands on a flower, the flower hands over a scarf, and the bee flies it to the hive, one at a time (3 min).
- When the flowers run out of pollen, the bees bring it back so the flowers can bloom again (2 min).
- Switch: flowers become bees and bees become flowers (4 min).
- Evening comes: bees sleep in the hive, all together in the middle, and the flowers close up (1 min).
Rules
- Bees carry pollen one at a time.
- The flower stays in its hoop and shares pollen kindly.
- Bees fly through open spaces without bumping.
- The honey is for everyone: no race to fill the hive.
Variations
Easier
For 3-year-olds, everyone is a bee and the flowers are hoops with scarves inside; the teacher helps carry pollen.
Standard
For 4-year-olds, half flowers and half bees, switching once.
Harder
For 5-year-olds, bees carry pollen on a body part the flower chooses (shoulder, head, back), and each flower asks for a little dance first.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: can be a flower from the wheelchair or a bee carrying pollen on their lap.
- Visual impairment: plays a flower, and bees buzz as they come close; or plays a bee holding a buddy's hand.
- Autism: starts as a flower, which has a fixed spot, and becomes a bee when ready.
Learning goals
- Move while carrying an object without dropping it.
- Cooperate from two different roles in the same game.
- Learn how bees and flowers work together in spring.
Equipment for a class of 25
- Hoops: 12
- Yellow scarves: 24
- Basket: 1
Teacher tip
Place the hoops well away from the hive so bees have a real flight path. Insist on buzzing; it gets little ones "flying" instead of running wild.
PatioLab has "Spring Bees and Flowers" and 8714 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
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