Buzz-Worthy Fun: Make a Paper Plate Bee Craft!
There’s something magical about a child’s first steps into the wide, wonderful world—especially when those steps are guided by curiosity and courage. In my picture book, Little Bee’s Day in the Garden, a small bee leaves the hive for the very first time and discovers a garden full of beauty, friendship, and adventure. Written to encourage kids struggling with anxiety over the unknown, or just those rough days when they are feeling scared over a new place/event.
To bring Little Bee’s journey to life, I’ve created two simple and joyful crafts:
- A Paper Plate Bee Puppet your child can fly through the story
- And Paper Flowers to build their very own garden of bravery
These crafts are perfect for homeschool mornings, afternoon quiet time, or a weekend filled with storytelling and imagination.
🐝 Craft 1: Paper Plate Bee
Let’s start with our brave little bee!
✂️ You’ll Need:
- 1 yellow desert sized paper plate
- black marker)
- Googly eyes
- Glue stick
- Scissors
- White cardstock or wax paper (for wings)
- Black pipe cleaners (for antennae, optional)
🐝 How to Make It:
- Create the Face
Glue on googly eyes and draw a smile. - Add Stripes
Use the black market to make bee stripes. - Make the Wings
Print the wings on your printer or cut two oval wings from wax paper or white cardstock and glue them to the back of the plate. - Add Antennae
Twist pipe cleaners into curly antennae and tape them to the back of the bee’s head—or use black paper strips if you don’t have pipe cleaners.
Now your little one has a bee buddy to “buzz” through the garden!
🌸 Craft 2: Paper Garden Flowers
What’s a brave bee without blossoms to explore?
✂️ You’ll Need:
- Bright-colored construction paper (for petals)
- Green construction paper (for stems/leaves)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Optional: pom-poms, buttons, or small paper circles for flower centers
🌼 How to Make Them:
- Cut 5–6 Petals
Use colorful paper to cut out petal shapes—ovals, teardrops, or even heart shapes! - Add a Center
Glue on a circle of yellow paper, a pom-pom, or a button for the flower’s middle. - Attach a Stem
Cut a green strip for the stem and glue it underneath the petals. - Build Your Garden
Create a full page of paper flowers or glue them onto craft sticks to “plant” in a shoebox garden for your bee puppet to visit.
Decorate and Bring the Garden to Life
Now that your child has a bee and a garden of flowers, it’s the perfect time to read Little Bee’s Day in the Garden together. Then decorate the back of a door, or a large foam board to hand up and change with the seasons.
As you read:
- Encourage your child to buzz their bee through the garden
- Ask questions like, “Have you ever done something new that felt a little scary?” or “What would you want to see on your first garden adventure?”
💌 Want Free Printable Templates?
Sign up for my newsletter and get free printable templates for both the bee puppet and paper flowers—plus access to future craft projects and book-themed activities all summer long!
🌼 Why These Crafts Matter
These simple projects are more than just busy work. They help children:
- Connect with characters emotionally
- Practice fine motor skills and creativity
- Reflect on courage, curiosity, and nature’s beauty
- Bond with you through shared storytelling and gentle conversation
Tag your creations @SillyGeesePublishingCrafts—we love seeing what our fans are making!
Blessings,
—Shannon Mokry
