HT Games
Fingerprint Crafts
For an easy thumbprint bee, give each preschooler a sheet of black construction paper. Have the preschoolers dip their thumb into yellow non-toxic paint and press it onto the sheet of black paper. This creates the bee's body. After the paint dries, help each preschooler use a stick of chalk to draw two wings and two antennas attached to the body. For added decoration, let the preschoolers draw black lines on the yellow body with a black paint pen. For another fingerprint craft, children can use yellow, black and gray paint on white paper. The children will use their thumb in the yellow paint to create the body. Use the tip of the finger to make a black head and stinger. For the wings, use gray paint on your fingertips to press down on top of the bumblebee's back.
Circle Games
Print pictures of honeybees and write a number on each picture. Write the small numbers on small slips of paper and place them in a bowl. Place the pictures on the floor in a circle. Play some music and have the preschoolers walk around the pictures. When the music stops, they must stand on a honeybee. Draw a number from the bowl and the preschooler standing on that number wins a prize. For another game, have the preschoolers sit in a circle. Give one child a plush honeybee toy. Play music and have the children pass the plush toy around the circle. When the music stops, the player holding the toy is out of the game. Keep playing and eliminating one player each round. The last player remaining in the game wins the plush honeybee.
Honeybee Magnet or Pin
Give each preschooler a clothespin. Have her color the clothespin with yellow and black markers, making stripes on the bee. She can use the black marker to draw a face on the top of the clothespin (where the mouth of the clothespin opens). For added decoration, have the preschoolers use a white coffee filter to make the wings and glue them on the pin. They can also use a black chenille stem to make the antennae. Hot glue a magnet or a craft pin to the back of the bee for each preschooler.
Tossing Games
Draw a beehive on a large poster board and tape it to the bottom of a cardboard box. Cut a hole in the middle of the beehive and lean the box against a wall. Mark a line 5 feet from the beehive and have the preschoolers try to toss honeybee beanbags into the beehive. Award a small prize for each child who makes a beanbag into the beehive. For another tossing game, wrap a large coffee can with gray crepe paper to resemble a beehive. Have the preschooler try to toss plastic bees into the beehive. Plastic bees are available at most craft stores and online.