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?!?
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!
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.
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.
This is so awesome. I was always fascinated with butterflies when I was growing up!
So cool! My 7 year old is already on caterpillar hunts in our yard!
Aww!! We scoured our backyard already. I think they’re frightened off by the construction!
How successful was the hunt?
How cool!! I would love to do this with my little man! Thanks for the idea!
I hope you get a chance to! Have you checked out this website?
http://www.insectlore.com
I’m thinking of getting ladybugs next!
My son’s teacher did this when he was in Kindergarten. I remember how excited he was about it.
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!
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!
I remember doing this in Kindergarten! But now I get the jeebeez from things that flutter haha so I stay away from them
We’ve raised butterflies before! My little one wants to do it again, I think we might!
What a fun summer project; I bet your kids will have a blast with this.
My kids have been asking to grow their own butterflies for weeks now. I may have to cave. Keep us posted with pictures!!!
Can’t wait to follow along – definitely a great learning tool.
What a neat thing to do. My son never did this in school, but I might have to try this at home.
We got one of those butterfly kits and my kids LOVED it!
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 😉
I want to do this with my kids next year. They will love it
It is so much fun!! The store was only selling kits until the end of May but I’m sure they are available online.
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.
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.
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.
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.
My boy *who hates bugs* really enjoys watching the caterpillars transform.
He thinks they are “cool”.
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!
We have never seen the cocoons in the wild so this was the perfect way for the kids to see that step.
We did this with my first grade class once. It was a great experience for the kids.
So fun! My kids have had the chance at school…yet!
Aww! Teachers like you rock!!
What a great project! Love butterflies!
Me too! They are such calming creatures..so peaceful!
As a child, I always found that transition pretty remarkable! I’m sure your kids will love it.
So cute, great project for kids!
I am Ascending Butterfly and I APPROVE this post! LOL – Needless to say I love right?
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Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
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.
That is a fantastic activity. Look forward to hearing your updates.
They do the caterpillar life cycle in all the class rooms in our kindergartens here and all the kids love it.
Too cute! This a a great project for kids to do!
My daughter’s class is doing this. She was so excited that two of their cocoons hatched yesterday.
Aww!! Watching the butterflies emerge is really a neat experience she most have been thrilled!! How many cocoons did they have?