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Did you know that a third of the food that we eat is made possible by pollinators? This is mainly composed of bees, but also includes other insects, birds and ground animals. 75-95% of flowering plants depend on pollinators. Every year we are seeing a decline in bee colonies and it is up to us to do our part to help offset this decline.  I have put together 3 projects that help pollinators and help encourage children to do their part to Feed A Bee
Find more events and what part you can take to help save colonies using #Feedabee on Instagram!

Raspberry Almond Blondie Bars
Makes 12 – 16 servings
 
What you will need:
•8x8-inch pan
•Large mixing bowl
•Silicone spatula
•Non-stick spray (I like coconut oil spray)
•Parchment paper
 
Ingredients
•1 ¼ cup light brown sugar
•1 large egg
•1 tsp. vanilla extract
•½ tsp. almond extract
•Pinch of salt
•10 tbsp. butter
•1 ¼ cup almond flour
•1 cup raspberries
•¼ cup slivered almonds
•1/3 cup of chocolate chips + more for top
 
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 350º  on convect.  Cover pan with parchment paper and spray with non-stick spray.
2. Spread the almonds on a small baking sheet. When the oven reaches desired temperature, toast the almonds for 3-4 minutes, watching closely so they do not burn.
3. Melt the butter in a small microwavable bowl. Let it cool slightly while you combine the brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, almond extract and salt in the large bowl. Add the butter and mix to combine.
4. Stir in the flour until it is fully incorporated.
5. Gently stir in the chocolate chips.
6. Lightly spray the spatula with non-stick spray and spread the batter into prepared pan.
7. Lightly press the remaining chocolate chips, toasted almonds and raspberries into the top of the batter.
8. Cook for 32-35 minutes or until lightly brown around the edges with a toothpick coming out clean from the middle.

Planting Activity

1. Set up an area outdoors or somewhere safe to use paints or spill dirt (would not recommend using your kitchen table). Spread out an old sheet, plastic tablecloth or newspapers to protect surfaces, as needed.
2. Decorate your terracotta pot with paint markers, paint, stickers     

or stencils. Encourage your child to paint or draw images of bees, beehives, butterflies, dragonflies, flowers – anything goes!
 

1. Allow the painted/decorated pot to dry completely. I tried to rush this process and my paint pen bled.

 

1. Planting time! Compare the length/width of your plant to the size of the pot. Place a handful or more (as much as needed) of potting soil into the pot to create a base. Less is more to give the plant room to grow, but you also don’t want its roots directly touching the bottom of the pot. 

 

1. Gently squeeze the sides of the container that your plant came in to remove it from the container. Once removed, gently massage and squeeze to shake out any excess soil and loosen up the roots.
2. Place plant in the center of the pot. Fill in the gaps around it with more potting soil, as needed. Gently pat the soil down to ensure that it’s firm around the base of the plant.
3. Place your potted plant somewhere where it will get plenty of sunshine. Pollinators prefer to visit sunny places.
4. Make it an ongoing activity with the kids to give your plant some TLC. Make sure the plant is well adapted to the conditions of your deck, porch or balcony and watered as needed.
5. Enjoy the future bee and butterfly sightings together

Bomb Seeds
Making seed bombs is a fun, easy way to get the kids involved in gardening. With this activity, you can use any pollinator-friendly seed mix (My son chose some non-pollinators, but I could not say no him). Once planted, the seed bombs will brighten up your garden in no time, and kids love watching the sprouts grow.
Materials Needed:
•6 pieces of construction paper, assorted colors (I should have used 2 sheets per seed package.)

Construction Paper

​Order on Amazon
•3-5 pkg. of pollinator-attractant flower seeds

Seed Packets

​Food processor

Food Processor

​Scissors

Food Processor

​Directions:

1. Cut each piece of construction paper into 1-inch squares and place into a small bowl; keep each group of colored paper squares in its own separate bowl.
2. Fill each bowl with water until the paper is completely covered and leave to soak for 20 minutes.
3. Take each bowl of paper and wring out half the water so that the paper is still damp. 
4. Using one color at a time, place the damp paper in the food processor and pulse the paper into a pulp. 
5. Repeat this with all the paper colors and put the pulp back into each of their individual bowls.
6. Mix the seeds into each bowl of paper. 

7. Press the pulp and seeds together to form into balls. If the pulp is dry, add a little more water to the pulp.
8. Place the seed balls on a sheet pan and leave overnight to dry.
9. Plant outside, cover with soil and add water. The seedling should be visible within 2-3 weeks, or quicker in warmer conditions.

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Happy National Pollinator Week! #Nationalpollinatorweek