It was that time of year again recently when I buy little tiny tiny caterpillars for the pre-school so the children can watch them turn into butterflies.
Every year this project makes me feel like a child again, I get so excited when the magic box arrives in the post :-)
We all got busy and popped the food into separate containers and then added 2 baby caterpillars to each little pot.
We then pop tissue paper over the top and then put the lid on, this is so that the caterpillars have something to make their cocoon on.
They really are so tiny when they first arrive, here is a photo of one on my finger to give you an idea of scale.
After a couple of weeks watching them eat and grow they turn into cocoons. They then stay in there for another couple of weeks before they hatch out in all their splendor to reveal their new body shape - it is so magical. We keep two at home and pre-school have the rest - theirs always seem to hatch a little earlier, not sure if it is the temperature of the pre-school being a bit higher than our home or that the noise levels in our house make the butterflies want to stay hidden for that little bit longer lol :-)
Then comes my favourite bit, letting the children release them into the garden and watching where they go ........
Nature really is rather amazing! To see photos of the full life cycle click here - Butterfly life cycle.
How wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteSue Xxx
It is magical to watch isn't it! But these kits make me a little sad, somebody making money out of something so natural, where you could just find caterpillars out and about, research what they will turn into etc and you get such a variation then too!
ReplyDeletewow- that so wonderful for your children and you to enjoy- there is something really magical about the butterfly...;0)xx
ReplyDeleteYou can do that? WOW! I would love it... but I have never heard of being able to do it.. x
ReplyDeleteBrilliant - I must remember to do this for Violet.
ReplyDeletethat is awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteAah I remember this from you last year and thinking I should really do it for Loopy next year! Missed again...really really lovely idea
ReplyDeletex
I keep meaning to do this, and I always forget. It is a lovely idea.
ReplyDeleteIs it really a year since you last posted on these wonderful kits??? They're fantastic - I'd love one myself!!
ReplyDeleteDan
-x-
lovely- and great that you managed to vcapture every stage!
ReplyDeleteWow this is amazing, I had no idea you could get kits like this, I can just imagine the little ones faces, I bet it is so sweet xxx
ReplyDeleteIt was after reading about this on your blog last time that got me doing it this year. It really is magical to see the caterpillars grow so fast and then turn into butterflies. I'm thinking I may buy another five caterpillars and have another go - we might be lucky enough to see them emerge as caterpillars this time!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, great fun. The last two years we've done ladybirds but before that it was painted ladies. I love doing it just as much as the children!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I'd been wondering about doing something like this next year when all three of my children will be able to understand it.
ReplyDeleteLovely! We get the baby caterpillers each year too. Amazing to watch. I love the golden tipped chrysallis.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely, even though I have no little people I to justify this, I think i would like to have a butterfly kit next year.
ReplyDeleteI remember this last time you wrote about it, a wonderful idea, teaching little ones about nature.
ReplyDeleteMy son's class did this - they had names for the caterpillars and everything :-). It was part of their Life and Living topic and they really got to grips with the idea of a life-cycle. He's so keen he wants us to do it at home next year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a magical way to teach children about wildlife! I would rather like to grow some butterflies myself! Have a great week with the sweetpeas.
ReplyDeleteHelen x
How fantastic is that! A great way to teach the kids!
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of doing that myself. Gabs adores butterflies and is always on the lookout, she draws them all the time too.
Have a lovely week,
Love Andrea x
That's wonderful! I know my girls would just love a project like this.
ReplyDeleteThat really is a magic box that you received! What a powerful experience that must be, to watch the winged creatures emerge. Such a gift.
ReplyDeleteBlessings...
How lovely! I really wanted to do this at work but as I only work there 2 days a week and we don't always have the same littleys, I didn't fancy the poor butterfly's chances.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words on my last blog post, they meant a lot x
Congratulations you have won a special tobleraone bar!! Please email me your details and I shall forward on to toblerone who shall send you out your bar :)) xx
ReplyDeleteWell I never knew that you could buy them! I'm going to do that for myself next year!
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