 According to the law of physics and science, considering the size of its body in comparison to its wings, it should be IMPOSSIBLE for the bumblebee to fly. However, nobody ever told that to the bumblebee, so he goes on flying and buzzing away every day. This is the main message to get across to the residents on bumblebee day. Nothing is impossible, especially when it's Bumblebee Day, one of the most fun, favorite and easiest of my holidays to create!
Tell the residents, put signs up and let the morning caregivers know a few days before to dress invite the residents to wear solid black or yellow. Give them something to be excited out! I express excitement that bumblebee day is coming up for about a week ahead of time. It's wonderful for them to have something to look forward to! The only supply you will need is duct tape for the stripes and bobby pins and pipe cleaners for the antennas. I also have a pair of wings and a stinger I made but neither one of those are really necessary. Duct tape is available at the dollar store in some colors, but the roll really isn't that long so get a few or just get one big roll of black and one of yellow at a hardware store. Have a few volunteers helping with the stripes for it will be much easier.
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During the morning, you can have a "stripe application" party and play some upbeat music while everyone is having fun watching the other residents transform. People will have an instant smile on their faces. I'll never forget a lady who said to me "I'm not in a good mood, I don't want to be a bumble bee". I said, "But it will make you feel better". Next thing you know, I had stripes on her and she was actually buzzing and "stung" me! Costumes really work! Everybody will be giggling! It's also fun if you have a mirror to show them how they look.
I also like to give everyone a yellow balloon to tie on their walker. I have a helium machine, that's optional of course but the room looks simply wonderful and festive with everyone having their own balloon. Early in the day, I like to take what I call our "family portrait". I have all the residents wearing their costumes together with a possible stuffed bee or a jar of honey or other "bee props" and we take group pictures that I put up on the bulletin board the next week. I have the walls plastered with hundreds of costume and theme pictures. Residents can look at pictures over and over. Photos provide an instant positive memory to recall and also gives them a sense of belonging when their picture is on the board. After the pictures are up about a week, I add them to a big collage in the recreation room and often find both residents and family members looking at the giant collage with a smile on their face.
Since we are celebrating the beloved bumblebee, honey cookies are in order. Set the table with a yellow plastic tablecloth from the dollar store, some yellow flower centerpieces and run off the recipe printed out with a large font and picture of the bee on light yellow paper. Set the table so that each setting has a spoon, a pair of gloves and the recipe. The room will look sunny and festive, especially when they all walk in with their balloons after lunch ready to make cookies. While the cookies are baking, you can run a word search on the board, which is writing "Bumblebee Day” on the board and having residents call out smaller words within it. While residents are eating the cookies, I explain some interesting fun facts about the bee. You can google bumblebee and have pages and pages of incredible facts about the bee.
We also play "Bumblebee Bingo. I will give out either a bumblebee knick knack from the dollar store or maybe honey shampoo. Last year, I found adorable ceramic banks I gave out.
The Bumblebee - truly an interesting specimen of the insect world and truly an incredible make believe holiday!
Happy Bumblebee Day!
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GINGER'S CREATIVE COSTUMES AND ACTIVITIES