3D printable bee

This 3D printable bee craft enables kids to make a realistic paper model of a honey bee, complete with anatomy labels.

This is a fun and educational activity for kids who are learning about bees or minibeasts. It’s been designed for ages 8+, but the cutting and gluing is simple so younger kids may be able to do it too.

Get the template here

There’s something about seeing insects close up that fascinates many kids (and adults too!).

Others have a deep-seated fear of all insects. Usually, this is completely illogical. We’re so much bigger than they are, and it’s estimated that only 1-3% of insect species are actually harmful to humans.

In the case of bees, this fear isn’t unfounded. They have stingers, and for those with bee sting allergies, this can be life-threatening.

But bees make up for this, and not just by giving us honey. These tiny creatures pollinate the majority of crops that humans depend on to eat. They are essential to life on earth. Without them, there would be a massive ripple effect throughout the entire food chain.

So let’s celebrate bees by making a life-like paper model of one.

This printable 3D paper craft gives kids the opportunity to have a close-up look at bees without the danger of getting stung. It also builds STEM and fine motor skills by building a realistic-looking insect from paper.

This template is similar to our 3D paper dragonfly and 3D Monarch butterfly.

bee craft realistic 3D paper model kids can make

The anatomy labels are optional. The template comes with body part names plus marked lines and spaces to stick them, or plain and unlabeled. It also comes in black and white line art incase kids want to colour their own bee in.

3D paper bee with anatomy labels in black and white line art

This craft might look fancy, but it’s actually really easy.

Are you ready to get started on making your bee?

How to make a 3D printable bee craft

You will need:

The printable bee template, available in both our printables store and our TPT store
Card stock in white (2 sheets per bee) plus one sheet in an alternate colour for the base—green and sky blue work well
Crayons or coloured pencils (optional)
Scissors
Glue stick

How to

Print the insect body parts and wings to white card stock. Print the legs to a colour of your choice.

Cut the insect parts and wings out, plus the labels if you are making the labeled version.

Fold the tabs on each body part, then bend into an arched shape and glue the tabs together. Make the head this way too. Fold and glue the wing supports into rectangular shapes.

Assemble your bee on the printed baseboard page with the legs. Begin by gluing the thorax into the middle rectangle. Glue the head above it, and abdomen below it. Glue the wings on.

Fold the antennae piece in half, then cut the shape out and unfold.

Glue the antennae in place on the front of the head.

Stick a wing support in the space marked on the baseboard and glue it to the underside of each wing to hold them in place. Also glue the stinger onto the tail end of the abdomen.