Best option for kids?

[JFinLandOLakes]

My girls are very interested in the bees and I have been letting them use my jacket with vale to be able to be there with me when going through the hives. I love the fact that they want to see what's going on and be there with me.

For those of you that have kids and they want to help ... How are you setting them up to be protected?

I know with my hives that the bees are calm so I don't need a "nuclear protection suite" I was thinking just a vale with a windbreaker style jacket.

Being in central Florida it's HOT...so I don't want them to get too hot and get discourage from being out there and being with me and the bees.

Any and all suggestions wanted and appreciated.

Jonathan <><

[magnet-man]

How big are they? I don't have children sizes but the small jacket may work and they are on sale.

[Laurence Hope]

With gentle bees, and first tested by you each trip to the yard, I think minimal gear would be okay for your children. Having said that, when I was a child in your neck of the woods, (I grew up in New Port Richey) I never noticed the heat, and was always active outside in the woods, fields, etc. Keeping them hydrated and a shade break to unsuit every once in awhile should keep them comfortable. My daughter visited from Florida last week, and when I took her out in our 101 temp, I ensured she was well protected because I know she reacts to any kind of insect bite quite strongly. Safe is always better than sorry.
Laurence

[bigbearomaha]

I have three kids 10 and under, all of them very interested in the bees as well. I dress them as I do. heavy denim blue jeans ( or coveralls) , work boots, long sleeve shirt denim works good here too) I have bought a child sized hat/veil . I only take one at a time with me on each trip as 3 kids tend to get rambunctious and want to run and play instead of being slow and careful.

Right now, as I am working on this new apiary project, I have nothing left from the place I used to help keep bees so I am essentially starting fresh with new equipment /bees in the spring. hopefully, having a bigger bee yard will enable me to take all three at once.


Big Bear

[BigDru]

When it comes to kids I think you need to look at them individually. My oldest does not wear a veil. She prefers to work as I do with gloves and a hive tool and smoker. Youngest daughter wants the veil and long sleeve shirt with gloves. Youngest boy like just a veil and the oldest boy likes distance. So I would suggest asking what they want to use. The more comfortable and secure they are the more they will like beekeeping.

[Brent Bean]

Perhaps starting them out in a full suit until they become more comfortable and figure out the stinging aspect of beekeeping. It’s wonderful to get kids interested it would be a shame to have them lose interest because of stings. Like most of us we use less protective gear as we become use to the bees.
You wouldn’t have a picture of that nuclear protection suite? We might be interested is such a thing at the nuclear plant I work in.;)

[scdw43]

With my granddaughters they always have a veil on. I have heard that a sting in the eye does permanent eye damage. I would not want to be responsible for that. If they want other equipment on, that is up to them, but the veil is not up for debate.

[notaclue]

All suit up. I can only have one work with me at a time, until I get more jackets, so they take turns. At one time they worked with veil only or nothing, depending on temerament that day.. My son got nailed well and now I suit them up.