Butterflies

The kids had a fun bit of science this spring.  We purchased a butterfly habitat kit from Amazon.  Once the habitat came in the mail, we were given a coupon code to order the larvae.  The larvae also came in the mail (alive).

It was really cool to watch the hungry caterpillars eat and grow, make their crysalises and then emerge as butterflies!

We journaled their growth and also used a learning website to print out a coloring sheet that labels the parts of the Painted Lady butterfly.

My oldest is a bit tenderhearted and it broke my heart a little to see him sad after releasing the butterflies.  He said they were his first pets and they didn't even land on his finger.   Thankfully, we now have bunnies for him to dote on.  My middle angel tells me every butterfly we encounter are "our" butterflies.  "Weally.  They are", he says.

I think your little ones will enjoy this experiment.  You can "grow" ladybugs or praying mantises, too.

Have fun!
~ Katrina