The Abundant Garden Sample

This is a recipe for children of all ages. Honey, commonly known as liquid gold, has been used for thousands of years as a powerful tool to treat coughs, infections, wounds, flus, prevent allergies and more. According to a study done in 2012 on nighttime coughs in children by the Journal of Pediatrics, honey is the preferable method of treatment for children suffering from upper respiratory infections. We are heading into that time of year where everywhere you turn people are coughing, sniffling and sneezing. You can be prepared for this season by making honey lemon lollipops. (Although giving your children a spoonful of honey with a touch of cinnamon will do the trick as well.) In this activity, children will learn how to make honey lemon lollipops.

*The following recipe is adapted from a recipe found on wholefoodrealfoodgoodfood.com.

**Disclaimer: Children under the age of one should NOT consume honey. If you or your child is a diabetic, please consult your physician before ingesting sugar of any kind. These lollipops have a caramel consistency so they are on the chewy side and not recommended for children with braces.

Cross-curricular subjects addressed: Reading Comprehension, Oral Composition, Health, Science, Music Appreciation, Life Skills, Math

Visit our Amazon Store for this activity's full supply list

• Supplies: 
  • lollipop sticks (these can also be purchased a craft store)
  • parchment paper or a silicone baking mat (or silpat)
  • saucepan
  • stirring spoon and a spoon/small ladle
  • cookie sheet(s)
  • cellophane
  • ribbon or twist-tie
  • lollipop molds (optional)
  • candy thermometer (optional)
• Ingredients: Yields approximately 21 lollipops
  • 12 ounces honey - organic, raw, local honey is best - we used orange blossom honey
  • 10 drops lemon essential oil - you can buy Young Living oils via IG @thelivingwellessentials (or 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice)
  • 1/4 - 1/2 tsp cinnamon (cinnamon has anti-viral qualities)
• Subjects addressed - Reading Comprehension and Science: Read one of the recommended stories about bees.
• Subject addressed - Oral Composition: Allow your child an opportunity to share any thoughts he/she may have had while listening to the book. Narrate in turns if there are several children. Encouraging your child to share about what they learned with Dad during dinner is a great way to narrate naturally.
• Subject addressed - Music Appreciation: Listen to selections from Johann Sebastian Bach played quietly in the background as you make the lollipops.
• Subjects addressed - Life Skills and Health: Wash hands thoroughly and put aprons on!
• Subjects addressed - Life Skills and Math: Place the lollipop sticks about 3 inches apart on your cookie sheet (or more) lined with parchment paper/silpat OR put your lollipop molds on the cookie sheet.
• Put the honey in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat. While the honey was cooking over the stove, bees came to our open (but thankfully screened) window. It was interesting how they were attracted to the smell of the honey!
• Allow the honey to boil for about 10 minutes or until your candy thermometer reaches 300 degrees F.
• Remove the honey from the heat and stir in the lemon juice (or lemon essential oil) and cinnamon.
• Using a small ladle or spoon, slowly pour the hot mixture in small circles over the top of the sticks. Make sure to try to make them thick - thin lollipops can cut your mouth. The first couple lollipop shapes may be a little wonky. It's easier to form the circles as the honey cools but if it cools too much, it hardens and may need to be reheated.
• Gently roll the stick to make sure each side of the stick is well coated.
• Allow about an hour to cool and then place them in an air-tight container, separating with parchment paper, or eat.
• These lollipops would also be fun to use as stirrers. They could be put in a cup of hot water and make honey lemon tea as it melts.
• Enjoy!

Top Image by Heather Barnes on Unsplash 

->Start the week's third activity "Beeswax Candles"->

Sample Week Table of Contents

Bees

• Bee Lesson
• Bee Literature
• Honey Butter
• Honey Lemon Lollipops
• Beeswax Candles
• You Are So Bee.you.tiful Cards
• Anatomy of a Bee
• Become a Bee Guardian

Next week's lesson "Johnny Appleseed"