Butterfly Life Cycle - Preschool/Kindergarten
Main Image
Main Image
Subjects
This activity introduces pre-school / kindergarten aged students to the different steps in the life cycle of a butterfly from egg, to caterpillar, to chrystalis / cocoon, to butterfly. The students also get to create and take home a butterfly or caterpillar craft.
What You Need
For the whole class:
Per student:
- Egg carton, pre-cut into butterfly and/or caterpillar shapes if possible
- Pipe cleaners
- Eyes, pre-glued to caterpillars if possible
- Paint
- Paint brushes
- Smocks or other clothing protectors
Safety Notes
Ensure you are familiar with Let's Talk Science's precautions with respect to safe outreach to youth.
What To Do
- Start the activity by providing the students with information about butterflies and the butterfly life cycle.
- Next, have students spread out on the floor or play mats and have them learn the butterfly life cycle using physical gestures.
- Start by having the students roll into balls to represent the egg.
- Then, have the students 'emerge' from the egg and become caterpillars that walk around the carpet. You can have the students pretend to grow and swell in size.
- Next, have the students stand and spin, to imitate the caterpillar forming a cocoon.
- Finally, have the students emerge as butterflies and fly around the room.
- Note: You will require extra space for this last stage.
- To represent the cycle, have the students start the process over again at least 2 more times.
- To finish the activity, have the students prepare their workspace for the craft.
- Students should wear smocks or something to protect their clothing from the paint.
- Pass out egg cartons in the shape of butterflies or caterpillars, depending on student preference.
- Have the students write their names on the inside of the carton before painting.
- Students can paint the outside of the egg cartons.
- Once finished the butterflies, use the pipe cleaners to represent the butterfly 'body'.
- Optional: glue eyes before or after painting onto the caterpillars.
Discovery
The activity discusses the students about the biology of metamorphosis, and how a butterfly will go through four distinct stages before it develops into a butterfly.
What's Happening?
The activity discusses the students about the biology of metamorphosis, and how a butterfly will go through four distinct stages before it develops into a butterfly.
