Pollination Activity Advice

[Sherman Garden]

Hello Gardineers,

We’re planning a pollination activity where students will roleplay as bees, flying from “flower” to “flower” and picking up “pollen” with a cotton ball or swab to simulate pollination as realistically as possible for second and third graders.

Because we run back-to-back classes all day, I’m trying to figure out how to manage materials so the “pollen” doesn’t spill, get muddy/discolored or otherwise descend into chaos before lunch. 😅

I’d love to hear all your hacks: materials, setup, cleanup systems or anything you’ve learned from doing this kind of activity multiple times in a row.

Thank you!

--

Christina Abuelo

School Garden Equity Catalyst

Pronouns: she/her/ella

Coordinator - (858) 210-2628

@barrio_botany

*´¨)
¸.·´¸.·*´¨) ¸.·*¨)
(¸.·´ (¸.·´ Cultivating Healthy, Happy, Nature-Connected Kids

Please note: I often work unusual hours. Please don’t feel obligated to respond immediately if you receive this email outside of your regular working hours.

[awr...@mountainsongschool.com]

I just played the "pollination game" with my 1st graders this week, and they absolutely loved it! I use hula hoops and bean bags. My version of the game is very similar to this one: https://www.startwithabook.org/content/pdfs/PollenGame.pdf

[Amy Bowman]

I do a similar activity with fuzzy bees I made, fake lily’s and tiny Pom poms as pollen. 

Amy Bowman

On Apr 24, 2026, at 12:17 PM, awr...@mountainsongschool.com <awr...@mountainsongschool.com> wrote:

I just played the "pollination game" with my 1st graders this week, and they absolutely loved it! I use hula hoops and bean bags. My version of the game is very similar to this one: https://www.startwithabook.org/content/pdfs/PollenGame.pdf

--
READ BEFORE REPLYING:
You can reply to the whole Google Group, just the sender, or both. When replying to this message make sure to check your recipient address line to confirm you are responding to who you want to be responding to.
ALSO check your subject line to be sure that the subject line is about the topic and NOT "digest for...."
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "School Garden Support Organization Network" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to school-garden-ne...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/school-garden-network/ccff1f8b-3b58-4d0c-81dc-6f9427c5b377n%40googlegroups.com.

[Robyn Stewart]

I use this activity, with strips of fabric, or popsicle sticks. less realistic, but also much less messy!