Preview draft. Activities have not been tested with caregivers.
Science · The activity desk
Butterfly life cycle picture
Color and talk about four stages in a butterfly's life.
Let's play →
A little plan for play
Open interactive activity →Add to play journal →What you need
The butterfly life cycle page or a full sheet of paper, plus large child-appropriate crayons
Age: 3–5 years; choose for the individual child.
Stay with the child throughout. Check the space and supplies, including anything within reach of younger siblings. Skip any activity that is unsuitable. Stop if a child puts non-food material in their mouth or becomes distressed. Use intact books, full sheets of paper, a large child-appropriate crayon and a clean, dry towel. Follow product labels; remove torn paper and keep broken crayons and caps away from children. Adult handles and stores supplies.
Set up: Open and print the page, or draw four simple pictures: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly.
Adult's role: Help read the stage names and follow the child's questions. Explain that an adult butterfly can lay eggs and the cycle begins again.
Let's make it happen
- Look at each picture and name the egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly together.
- Color each stage in any colors you choose.
- Follow the numbers and tell the story of the butterfly's changes, if you wish.
Make it simpler: Choose one stage to color and name together.
Clean up: Put crayons away and save or recycle the page.
Stay nearby while young children use crayons and remove broken pieces. Observe living insects without touching or disturbing them.