Michelle, from Kent, created this fantastic home made bee house. You’d bee unlucky to miss this one!…
What did you do?
Built a bee house out of ply wood from our shed. It’s 6 inches wide by 5 inches high and a pitched roof. It was filled with bamboo canes, sticks and moss. Sticks and moss we collected on our walk to the woods. Covered the roof in some felt for waterproof protection. I then glued on acorns and pine cones on the roof for decoration. This has improved his love for nature even more.
Didn’t know how it was going to turn out as never made one before. We think it’s turned out well. My son is very proud of his work. This helped teach my son care as they were using my husband’s power tools. Some basic maths as were measuring out the sides. He did some writing as was labeling the pieces. Hand and eye skills with hammering nails.
Do you have any other projects planned?
Jake has been asked by a friend to make him a bee house and wants to give him some money for his piggy bank so he will be starting this and is really excited about doing it again. Other than that not sure as he’s back to school on Monday but I’m sure he will come up with something.
Tell the Housebound With Kids community a bit about yourself…
My name is Michelle and my son is called Jake he turned 5 in lockdown at end of April. We live in Kent in the UK. Since lockdown Jake has really started to be interested in nature a lot more. Before if we went for a walk he would moan but now happy to walk 2-4 miles. He’s watch caterpillars grow in to butterflies and release them. He’s now watching tadpoles change and feeding them. Jake is also growing his own vegetables.
How are you finding being housebound so far?
I am not going to lie it’s been really hard. Trying to work and home schooling an only child. We’ve had plenty of arguments and tantrums. But to go for a walk has really released the stresses and for him to enjoy nature has been a good thing with lockdown. We have slowed down slightly not rushing around here there and everywhere.
Do you have any tips for other parents?
Go for a walk even if just round the block as gets you out for a little while. Yes he wants to go to the park but what 5 year old doesn’t but just the walk is calming enough for us.
