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!

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Christina Abuelo

School Garden Equity Catalyst

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[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

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[Robyn Stewart]

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

[Menyuk, Laura N]

We use small yellow pom poms with velcro sticker dots on them. Some kids or adults play the flowers: holding laminated large flower pictures which have the other side of the velcro.

 Kids "buzz" around taking velcro pom poms off and back onto other flowers because they can never hold more than 2 pom poms at a time. 

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"L" (Laura) Menyuk

Farm to School Specialist 

301-580-5421 

Programs: www.baltimorecityschools.org/page/farm-school

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From: school-gar...@googlegroups.com <school-gar...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Robyn Stewart <robyn....@nhep.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 12:59:15 PM
To: School Garden Support Organization Network <school-gar...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Pollination Activity Advice

 

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