When to get the kids in the bee yard

[bwallace23350]

It has been a few years since I last posted but well I am back. I have 3 kids with a 4th on the way. I am confident with my 9 year old in the yard but would a 4 year old be to young to suit up and start working the hives with me in the spring? I am sure my wife will be against it so looking for some expert advice. I still have two hives and thinking about getting a 3rd.

[The15thMember]

Welcome back, bwallace! I have no actual experience with very young children in the apiary, so keep that in mind, but to me, it depends on the kid, the colony, and the time of year.  As you say, a trustworthy 9 year old, that would be no concern to me.  With a 4 year old, it would have to be spring or summer during a flow with a bee colony I knew could be relied upon to be docile, and I would have to know that the child's temperament was reasonably stable enough to be able to remain calm and follow directions.  If any of those conditions were not met, I would not be comfortable personally.  I would also want to be relatively sure that if a very small child did get stung, it likely wouldn't traumatize them to the point that they'd be irrationally afraid of bees from then on.  (My little sister was so afraid of bugs when she was little that she freaked out and had a meltdown at a picnic once when she saw a butterfly, so that's the kind of situation I wouldn't want to accidentally create.)  Ultimately it comes down to knowing your kids and knowing your bees.     

[bwallace23350]

Both boys got stung this summer when I set up a water slide for them. The bees came to it haha.

[iddee]

My friend had a 3 y/o grandson who would play with the bees in the swimming pool until he got stung. Then he would go around all the family members and show off his stinger. He wouldn't allow them to remove it until he had shown everyone. As 15th said, it depends totally on the disposition of the kid.

[Kathyp]

I would let the kids decide. If they have been stung they know the risk. I would advise secure face covering and some kind of gloves + a stock of liquid Benadryl just in case.
I never wanted to discourage the kids from doing farm work, but it's our responsibility to make it as safe as we can for them.

[Kathyp]

And this reminds me of the first time I took my young granddaughter out to the bee yard. I ended up with a bee going up the leg of my jeans, but I didn't want to scare her by making a big deal of it. Of course, before I could strip off my pants and get it out, it had stung me. I had to control both my actions and my vocabulary for her sake.   

[Ben Framed]

What ever the age, or whatever the disposition of the youngster, do all possible the first few outings to see that these experiences are stingless. Purchase a complete 3 layer suit with an attached  zipper hood. Make sure hands are secure as well as the sleeve area.  Leave no place for the bees to get in. Same with the ankle area. Make sure no openings are left to chance. Look up the killer bee guy in Arizona and see how he and his team prepare before an absolutely aggressive africanized honeybee removal. The guy has said time and again. The occasional sting he gets is on the nose where the screen touches.

It can be intimidating for even a beginner adult when the bees are really buzzing the first time or two. Give the child a chance to experience the event, along with a safe and secure feeling to match which will build confidence.

Try to keep his or her interest. Show the comb with honey, explain brood, larva, etc. Show and tell of the queen if found. Revelation will build interest in the inner parts of the colony and soon the child will learn to ignore the loud buzzing.  Best to you and yours.

Phillip

[Terri Yaki]

I'm no expert on kids or bees but I'm thinking that having them stand back and watch a time or two would be a good start before getting them face into it. Fully protected, of course.

[BeeMaster2]

Bill Murray has a granddaughter who started working with his bees at either 4 or 5. At BeeFest 2020 when she was 5 she was experienced enough to teach what she knew to our guests. She also won the smoker contest.
It all depends on the child. Some are ready some will never be ready.
Jim Altmiller

[BeeMaster2]

Here are pictures of Marley from BeeFest 2020.
The second picture is from when she won the smoker contest and the last one she was learning how to graft bees.
She now has her own bee hives that she takes care of.
Maybe Bill will chip in with more details.

[The15thMember]

That picture of Marley winning the smoker contest is one of my favorite pictures from Beefest.