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From caterpillar to butterfly

05/21/14 | Grow

P1030523

One of my favorite springtime activities to do with my children is to bring in the painted monarch butterflies.We are given the unique opportunity to watch them as they transform from tiny larvae to chrysalis to beautiful painted monarch butterflies.

It’s a chance to get up close and personal with some of our favorite bugs in a safe way.

We will be busy observing them and once the butterflies are ready to journey into the “wild unknown” we will have a picnic to celebrate their release.

Now that my kids are a little older we will be using this butterfly life cycle journal so they can journal the changes that we see along the way.

This is one example of how our personal lives influence what we do in our day-home. We are incorporating that learning into our time together.

It’s super easy actually.
We will be reading one of my favorite children’s book “The very hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carl and following it up with The very hungry caterpillar painted hand-prints .

If you remember from last week our Tulip Hand prints the little ones made for Mother’s Day didn’t go over so well (screaming babies ring a bell?)

I’m hoping that the painted caterpillars will be more favorable. fingers crossed

Anyways, I have found a few different activities that I am planning on trying with my little friends.

• C is for caterpillar
• caterpillar sponge painting
• the very hungry caterpillar sensory tub
• butterfly craft
• butterfly and caterpillar Pom Pom mats
What is your favorite bug craft? 

We just picked up our larvae yesterday so the fun has already started.

This is what the look like this morning;
Aren’t they cute?!?

20140521-104954-38994128.jpg
As they grow I will be posting pictures “updating their development”both on twitter as well as my Facebook page so make sure to take a peak!

Comments | 42 comments

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Comments

  1. Bernadette Callahan (@AimlessMoments) says

    August 30, 2014 at 4:36 am

    We have had a few caterpillars turn into butterflies. The kids, especially my middle son, loves to watch the process. He loves anything outdoors and he takes notes and draws pics to go along with the whole thing.

    Reply
  2. Joanne Greco says

    June 29, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    What an amazing thing to do with your kids. We kept a butterfly garden in our backyard for a while and it attracted so many beautiful butterflies.

    Reply
  3. Dio Home Improvement (@DioHomeImprove) says

    June 29, 2014 at 2:35 pm

    This is so awesome. I was always fascinated with butterflies when I was growing up!

    Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    May 23, 2014 at 6:54 am

    So cool! My 7 year old is already on caterpillar hunts in our yard!

    Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 23, 2014 at 10:36 am

      Aww!! We scoured our backyard already. I think they’re frightened off by the construction!

      Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 24, 2014 at 9:59 am

      How successful was the hunt?

      Reply
  5. mommyhasalife says

    May 23, 2014 at 1:20 am

    How cool!! I would love to do this with my little man! Thanks for the idea!

    Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 24, 2014 at 10:02 am

      I hope you get a chance to! Have you checked out this website?
      http://www.insectlore.com
      I’m thinking of getting ladybugs next!

      Reply
  6. DonnaChaffins (@DonnaChaffins) says

    May 22, 2014 at 8:17 pm

    My son’s teacher did this when he was in Kindergarten. I remember how excited he was about it.

    Reply
  7. The Neighborhood Mom (@NeighborMoms) says

    May 22, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    I love this idea. They did it in one of my son’s classrooms at preschool a couple years ago and the kids loved it SO much!

    Reply
  8. Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting says

    May 22, 2014 at 4:07 pm

    That’s so cool! I did this when I was in elementary school, but I’d love to do it at home with my kids, too!

    Reply
  9. Rachel Young says

    May 22, 2014 at 3:17 pm

    I remember doing this in Kindergarten! But now I get the jeebeez from things that flutter haha so I stay away from them

    Reply
  10. Cara says

    May 22, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    We’ve raised butterflies before! My little one wants to do it again, I think we might!

    Reply
  11. Mel Lockcuff (@MamaBuzz) says

    May 22, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    What a fun summer project; I bet your kids will have a blast with this.

    Reply
  12. deninemichele says

    May 22, 2014 at 2:20 pm

    My kids have been asking to grow their own butterflies for weeks now. I may have to cave. Keep us posted with pictures!!!

    Reply
  13. Kira says

    May 22, 2014 at 1:48 pm

    Can’t wait to follow along – definitely a great learning tool.

    Reply
  14. sheilarae71 (@livingsmartgirl) says

    May 22, 2014 at 1:20 pm

    What a neat thing to do. My son never did this in school, but I might have to try this at home.

    Reply
  15. dee136 says

    May 22, 2014 at 5:47 am

    We got one of those butterfly kits and my kids LOVED it!

    Reply
  16. Danielle says

    May 21, 2014 at 11:46 pm

    This is such a great activity for the little ones! It would be so neat to know what amazing things they must be thinking when they observe this process 😉

    Reply
  17. Vanessa Barker says

    May 21, 2014 at 8:55 pm

    I want to do this with my kids next year. They will love it

    Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 21, 2014 at 9:10 pm

      It is so much fun!! The store was only selling kits until the end of May but I’m sure they are available online.

      Reply
  18. Maria Constanza Oller Martin says

    May 22, 2014 at 2:38 am

    Bugs freak me out, even if they turn in gorgeous butterflies, but I did it for my son as well he loves to observe and learn. i’m so happy we are over the butterflies and worms part now we watch birds.

    Reply
  19. cynthial1956 says

    May 21, 2014 at 8:29 pm

    Great activity! I know your little ones will love this. When my daughter was young, we planted a butterfly garden so that she could understand the cycle of a butterfly.

    Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 21, 2014 at 9:12 pm

      We will be planing ours this weekend in hope that some of them will stay.
      Such a fun activity and watching the butterflies is peaceful.

      Reply
  20. Jessica @EatSleepBe says

    May 21, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    What a lovely activity to do with your children. I think I might have to take a cue from you. My son would love that.

    Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 21, 2014 at 9:13 pm

      My boy *who hates bugs* really enjoys watching the caterpillars transform.
      He thinks they are “cool”.

      Reply
  21. mamatomanyblessings says

    May 21, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    we have done this too, they crystallized in our yard and we got to watch the whole process and see it fly out of the crystalis. So educational!

    Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 21, 2014 at 9:14 pm

      We have never seen the cocoons in the wild so this was the perfect way for the kids to see that step.

      Reply
  22. Pam (@pamwattenbarger) says

    May 21, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    We did this with my first grade class once. It was a great experience for the kids.

    Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 21, 2014 at 9:14 pm

      So fun! My kids have had the chance at school…yet!

      Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 21, 2014 at 9:15 pm

      Aww! Teachers like you rock!!

      Reply
  23. Lois Alter Mark says

    May 21, 2014 at 6:13 pm

    What a great project! Love butterflies!

    Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 21, 2014 at 9:19 pm

      Me too! They are such calming creatures..so peaceful!

      Reply
  24. Liz Mays says

    May 21, 2014 at 10:33 pm

    As a child, I always found that transition pretty remarkable! I’m sure your kids will love it.

    Reply
  25. Diana Rodriguez -Entre Compras y El Hogar says

    May 21, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    So cute, great project for kids!

    Reply
  26. ascendingbutterfly says

    May 21, 2014 at 1:51 pm

    I am Ascending Butterfly and I APPROVE this post! LOL – Needless to say I love right?

    Comment Luv isn’t playing nice with my feed today, my wordless wednesday for today is here: http://www.ascendingbutterfly.com/2014/05/wordlesswednesday-simple-tree-in-park.html

    Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly

    Reply
  27. Debbie L. says

    May 21, 2014 at 1:36 pm

    Cute post….I was explaining this topic to Davey this weekend when he found a caterpillar. Great activity I think I will give this a try with Davey.

    Reply
  28. Debbie Denny says

    May 21, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    That is a fantastic activity. Look forward to hearing your updates.

    Reply
  29. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    May 21, 2014 at 12:12 pm

    They do the caterpillar life cycle in all the class rooms in our kindergartens here and all the kids love it.

    Reply
  30. Lenze says

    May 21, 2014 at 11:58 am

    Too cute! This a a great project for kids to do!

    Reply
  31. Holly says

    May 21, 2014 at 11:13 am

    My daughter’s class is doing this. She was so excited that two of their cocoons hatched yesterday.

    Reply
    • sweetmomma says

      May 21, 2014 at 11:16 am

      Aww!! Watching the butterflies emerge is really a neat experience she most have been thrilled!! How many cocoons did they have?

      Reply

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