Every week we feature a fun and/or educational activity you can try at home or in the classroom. We have begun mailing our Gift Catalog for this year’s holiday season and will be featuring activities that highlight the items available.
In addition to making honey and beeswax, honeybees, a major pollinator in ecosystems that contain flowering plants, play a critical role in the human food supply. A third of the human diet comes from insect-pollinated plants. And these little creatures do an estimated 80 percent of that pollination, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are found on every continent with the exception of Antarctica.
Heifer has projects using bees to increase yields for coffee farmers in Guatemala. They pollinate the coffee, meaning more profits for the farmers, who sell the honey too.
The brisk winter weather removes moisture from everything leading to chapped lips and hands. Don't let winter get the best of your skin. This homemade beeswax hand cream will moisturize skin and provide a fun activity to do with children during their holiday break.
Materials
Place the beeswax in the glass bowl and put the bowl in the pot. Pour water into the pot, filling until it reaches about half way up the bowl. Don't let the water get into the glass bowl; you just want there to be enough to warm up the wax. Turn the temperature on to medium. Add the almond oil.
Remove from heat and add 2 ounces of water and remaining ingredients, slowly stirring continuously. Pour into a small glass container. It's important to pour the mixture out before it cools enough to where it's too thick to pour.
For more beeswax recipes, read this article.
To learn more about how Heifer families are using bees to increase their yields, click here.
Give the gift of honeybees to families in need.
Still don't know what to give someone this holiday season? Browse our catalog and find out how you can help.
