You may hear the line “here is the beehive, where are the bees” in a nursery rhyme, a finger play, or a classroom chant, and the answer is usually the same, the bees are hiding, waiting, then popping out with a counting reveal. That simple pattern makes the rhyme easy to remember, easy to act out, and especially fun for young children.
You get a counting rhyme, a finger play, and a playful bee theme all in one, which is why this little chant stays popular with toddlers, preschoolers, and early learners. When you use it with hand motions, the hidden-and-found structure keeps children engaged from the first “beehive” to the final buzz.
Lyrics And Common Versions
The rhyme is short, but the wording changes a little from version to version. The core idea stays the same, though, a hive appears, the bees are hidden, then they emerge one by one while you count.
The Most Familiar Words
A common version goes like this, as shown by BBC Teach’s lyrics:
- Here is the beehive
- Where are the bees?
- Hidden away where nobody sees
- Watch and you’ll see them come out of the hive
- One, two, three, four, five
- Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz
That structure makes the nursery rhyme easy to chant with a steady rhythm. You can say the lines slowly for beginners, then speed up the buzzing once the counting lands.
Popular Variation Lines
Some versions swap the ending line for “come out of the tree” or “land on the floor,” and a few change “come out” to “creeping out.” Those changes keep the same bee story while giving you fresh motion cues for your hands and fingers.
A child-focused version from Storytime Solidarity uses “watch them creeping out of their hive,” which works well if you want a gentler, sneaky reveal. That small wording shift can make the finger play feel more dramatic.
How The Tune And Chant Style Differ
You do not need one fixed melody to use this rhyme. In many homes and classrooms, you can chant it, sing it lightly, or speak it with exaggerated rhythm, and all three approaches still work.
A chant style helps little ones follow the words and actions together. A sung version adds a musical hook, while a spoken version can make the counting clearer for children who are just learning the numbers.
How To Do The Finger Play
The finger play uses a simple hidden-and-reveal motion, which is why it works so well with a bee theme. You can keep the gestures small and clear, then open them up once the bees “fly” out.
Simple Hand Motions For Each Line
Start by making a beehive shape with one hand, often with your fingers curled or your hands clasped. On “Where are the bees?” hide your other fingers or tuck them behind the hive.
When you say “One, two, three, four, five,” open one finger at a time. For the “buzz” lines, wiggle all the fingers like flying bees.
Turning It Into An Action Rhyme
The movement turns the chant into an action rhyme because each line has a matching gesture. That pairing helps children connect words, numbers, and motion at the same time.
You can make the “bees” fly out of the hive, circle the air, or land on the floor if you want a dramatic finish. I have found that children pay more attention when the reveal feels slightly delayed.
Tips For Toddlers And Preschoolers
Keep the pace slow enough for small hands to keep up. If a child cannot open all five fingers at once, let them just show one or two and still join in.
For toddlers, reduce the number of motions and focus on the buzzing. For preschoolers, ask them to count along out loud while they do the finger play on their own.
Why Children Love And Learn From It
Children respond quickly to the surprise of hidden bees and the predictable counting pattern. The rhyme feels playful, yet it quietly supports early math, coordination, and listening skills.
Counting From One To Five
The counting sequence gives children a concrete reason to say the numbers in order. Because the bees appear one at a time, the count feels visual instead of abstract.
That makes the rhyme useful for children who are still building number sense. You can pause after each number and let them point, wiggle, or count with you.
Fine Motor And Listening Skills
Opening fingers one by one gives children practice with fine motor control. That small movement can be a helpful warm-up for writing, cutting, and other hand tasks.
The rhyme also rewards close listening. Children need to hear the count, match the cue, and wait for the buzzing, which keeps them engaged from start to finish.
Anticipation, Repetition, And Group Participation
The hidden-bee reveal creates anticipation, which is a big reason children want to repeat it. The repeated phrase “where are the bees?” gives them a line they can quickly memorize and join in on.
In groups, the rhyme works well because everyone can buzz together at the end. That shared ending tends to make shy children more willing to participate.
Ways To Use It At Home Or In Class
You can use this rhyme as a quick warm-up, a transition, or a themed activity. It fits neatly into circle time, music time, and spring learning without needing much prep.
Circle Time And Music Time Ideas
Use it as a greeting chant when children gather on the rug. The repeated counting gives you a calm way to settle the group before moving into a song or story.
You can also pair it with clapping, tapping, or a steady drum beat. That added rhythm helps reinforce the bee theme and makes the beehive chant feel more musical.
Puppets, Props, And Movement Extensions
A small hive prop, finger puppets, or paper bees can make the rhyme more concrete. When children can see the beehive and bees, they usually stay focused longer.
Try having the bees “hide” under a scarf, inside a basket, or behind a book. I have found that simple props work better than elaborate ones because the action stays clear.
Seasonal And Spring Activity Pairings
This rhyme pairs naturally with spring books, flower counting, and bee theme crafts. It also works well beside a nature walk, a garden lesson, or a pollinator talk.
For a home activity, you can sing it before a coloring page or sensory bin. For class use, you can link it to a quick bee discussion and then move into an art or science center.
