Butterfly

Life Cycle

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Feed the Very
Hungry Caterpillar
Early Learning Guidelines: Instructions:
Mathematics-(M.01) Number and 1. Assemble the hungry
Operations: Children begin to coordinate
verbal counting with objects.
caterpillar; glue the head to
Health & Physical Development-(HP.01) the rim of the cup and tape
Fine Motor: Children begin to green paper around the cup.
demonstrate hand-eye coordination.
Approaches to Learning-(AL.02):
2. Give each child their own
Problem Solving. caterpillar, a spoon, and a pile
Social & Emotional-(SE.02) Self-Control: of pom-poms.
Children begin to tolerate small levels of
frustration with adult support.
3. Have the children feed the
caterpillar. If there are
enough pom-poms see if
Materials Needed: they can fill up his whole
Caterpillar Cut Out belly.
Plastic Cups
Tape
Green Paper
Spoons
Pom-Poms

Photo credit: Tara Craig Photo credit:Denita Julius

Adaptations:
Use fingers to make it easier or tongs/chopsticks to make it harder.
Use objects of different weights to make it easier or more challenging.
Modify for gross motor by tossing balls or bean bags into a bucket with a
caterpillar face on top.

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Pollination

Instructions:
Early Learning Guidelines:
Social & Emotional-(SE.01) Shows 1. Tie the pipe cleaner around the
growing independence in a range of child's finger and then bend
activities, routines, and tasks. the remaining pieces into the
Approaches to Learning-(AL.01)
Children begin to follow direction and shape of antennas.
demonstrate interdependence. 2. Sprinkle baking soda onto the
Health & Physical Development-(HP.01) middle of the flower cut out.
Fine Motor: Children begin to coordinate
the use of arms, hands, and fingers to 3. Demonstrate to the children
accomplish more complex tasks. how the butterflies get pollen
Science-(S.02) Scientific Skills and on their bodies.
Methods: Uses a variety of tools and
objects to explore the world and how 4. If the group is younger, you can
things work in the world. leave it at that. If they are older
you can discuss how
butterflies carry the pollen on
Materials Needed: their bodies to other flowers
Pipe Cleaners where some falls off and that is
Flower Cutouts what allows fruits and seeds to
Baking Soda grow.

Photo credits: Tara Craig

Adaptations:
Other items may be used, such as: corn starch, cinnamon, sugar, or cocoa powder.
Use baking soda and cocoa powder to see how the pollen gets mixed.
Set flowers with pollen all over the room or outdoors on a calm day and have children
visit as many as they can in 5 minutes.

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Butterfly Sensory
Bag
Early Learning Guidelines: Instructions:
Mathematics-(M.01) Number and 1. Paint bow tie pasta as
Operations: Children coordinate verbal
counting with objects.
butterflies.
Health & Physical Development-(HP.01) 2. Use nail polish remover to
Children begin to demonstrate hand-eye remove the label from the
coordination and fine motor control.
Approaches to Learning (AL.02) Problem
resealable bag.
Solving: Children try several strategies 3. Draw a butterfly net on the
and show persistence. plastic bag with the sharpie.
Social & Emotional-(SE.01) Self Concept:
Shows others what they can do.
4. Add hair gel and a little bit of
water into the Ziploc bag, and
then add the painted bow tie
Materials Needed: pasta into the Ziploc bag.
Resealable plastic Bag 5. Children can use this bag to
Hair Gel count the number of
Bow Tie Pasta butterflies that are placed
Acrylic Paint into the net.
Permanent Marker
Nail Polish Remover

Photo credits:
https://www.pinterest.com
/pin/10977592832609262/

Adaptations:
Tape the bag to the table.
Use toy butterflies or other insects instead of bow tie pasta
Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Edible Life Cycle

Early Learning Guidelines: Instructions:

Health & Physical-(HP.04) Nutrition: 1. Distribute a plate for each
increasing independence in eating
abilities.
child.
Health & Physical Development-(HP.01) 2. Wither combine all of the
Fine Motor: uses coordinated different food together and
movements to complete complex tasks.
Science-(S.01) Scientific Knowledge:
give them a small amount
describes or represents a series of each of all of them.
events in sequence. 3. Kids will sort out the different
Approaches to Learning-(AL.01)
Initiative and curiosity: Children begin to
life cycle stages and the
follow directions and demonstrate snacks that represent them.
interdependence. 4. After completing the activity,
kids can eat and enjoy their
Materials Needed: snacks!
Paper Plates or Paper Towels
Sharpie
Marshmallows (Egg)
Butterfly Shaped Pretzel
Chips (Butterfly)
Gummy Worms (Caterpillar)
Tootsie Rolls (Chrysalis)

Photo credits:
https://www.pinterest.com/
pin/703756184571358/

Adaptations:
Replace chosen options with healthier snacks to represent the life
cycle.
Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Coffee Filter
Butterfly
Early Learning Guidelines: Instructions:
Social & Emotional-(SE.01) Self Concept: 1. Lay the coffee filter flat on
Begins to develop independence,
confidence, and competence.
the table.
Health & Physical Development-(HP.01) 2. Have children paint on the
Fine Motor: Pulls caps off markers and puts coffee filter to create their
them back on firmly.
Creative Arts-(CA.02) Visual Art: Shows
butterfly design.
pride in ability to use art materials and 3. Spray the design with water
enjoys showing completed art to others. and watch the colors blend.
Approaches to Learning-(AL.01) Initiative
and Curiosity: Follows directions and
Let dry.
demonstrates independence. 4. Scrunch the coffee filter in
the middle, creating a "wing"
Materials Needed: on each side.
Coffee Filters 5. Secure with pipe cleaner and
Pipe Cleaners enjoy!
Watercolor Paints or Markers
Spray Bottle

Photo credits:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/23
643966785656152/

Adaptations:

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Where are the
Butterflies?
Early Learning Guidelines:
Social & Emotional-(SE.03) Cooperation Instructions:
and Prosocial Behavior: Follows basic rules 1. Glue/tape two toilet paper
for group participation.
Approaches to Learning-(AL.01) Initiative rolls together to create
and Curiosity: Demonstrates curiosity and binoculars.
willingness to learn. 2. Let the children decorate
Health & Physical Development-(HP.02)
Gross Motor: Walks and runs, adjusting them using construction
speed to match situation. paper and markers.
Science-(S.01) Scientific Knowledge: 3. While they are doing this,
Compare and contrast
have someone go outside
and clothespin pictures of
Materials Needed:
butterflies around.
Toilet Paper Rolls
4. Provide the children with a
Glue/Tape
sheet that has all the
Construction Paper
butterfly pictures on it.
Markers/Crayons
5. Use their "binoculars" to have
Butterfly Pictures
the children go outside and
Clothespins
search for the butterflies.

Photo credits:

Adaptations:
Partner Up
Matching worksheet
Give children a copy of one butterfly and have them find the matching picture.
Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Caterpillar to
Butterfly
Early Learning Guidelines: Instructions:
Creative Arts-(CA.02) Children begin to 1. Color coffee filter with washable
broaden artistic exploration. markers, and then place on wax
Science-(S.01) Describes or represents
paper or a covered table. Spray
a series of events in the correct
sequence. with water and wait for the colors
Health & Physical Development-(HP.01) to bleed and then dry.
Uses coordinated movements to 2. Now start on your caterpillar. Glue
complete complex tasks. the green pom-poms onto the
Approaches to Learning-(AL.01)
Children begin to follow direction and
clothes pin. Then put two googly
demonstrate interdependence. eyes on the end pom-pom closest
to the clothespin opening.
3. Once the coffee filter is dry, you
Materials Needed: will place the coffee filter into the
Coffee Filters clothes slip to create wings.
Washable Markers 4. Fold the wings around the
Spray Bottle with Water caterpillar and put it into the toilet
Wax Paper paper roll.
Clothespins 5. Then go over the different life
Green Pom-poms
stages of a caterpillar to a
Googly Eyes
butterfly.
Glue
Toilet Paper Rolls

Photo credits:
https://www.pint
erest.com/pin/18
07070037886393
56/

Adaptations:

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Sorting through the
Stages
Early Learning Guidelines: Instructions:
Social & Emotional-(SE.04) Social 1. Place pasta into the
Relationships: Shares by taking turns.
Science-(S.01)Scientific Knowledge:
aluminum pan, and mix them
Describes or represents a series of all up.
events in sequence. 2. Put a label on each cup to
Health & Physical Development-(HP.01)
Fine Motor; Handles small objects.
represent the 4 stages of the
Mathematics-(M.04) Data Analysis: butterfly life cycle.
Sorting objects by size or shape. 3. Have the kids sort the
different pastas into the cups
that correspond with the
correct cup.
Materials Needed:
Bowtie Pasta (Butterfly)
Rotini Pasta (Caterpillar)
Medium and Small Pasta
Shells (Chrysalis & Egg)
Aluminum Pan or Medium
Plastic Tub
4 Cups

Photo credits:
https://www.pinterest.com
/pin/14355292553329181/

Adaptations:
Dye the pasta different colors
Add kid-friendly tweezers/tongs/chopsticks for older children.

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Butterfly Symmetry

Early Learning Guidelines: Instructions:

Social & Emotional-(SE.04) Shares by 1. Cut paper butterflies,
taking turns with materials.
Language and Literacy-(LL.01) Listening
2. Pour small amounts of paint
and Understanding: follows single, into cups and add a spoon to
multi-step, and complex directions. each cup.
Health & Physical Development-(HP.01)
Children begin to coordinate the use of
3. Let children use the spoons to
arms, hands, and fingers to accomplish add drops of paint to one side
more complex tasks. of the butterfly paper.
Mathematics-(M.02) Develops
understanding of geometry and spatial
4. Help children fold the other half
sense. of the paper over the paint
Visual Arts-(CA.02) Visual Arts drops to create a paint
sandwich.
5. Press, smash, and rub hands.
Materials Needed: Might need to used gloves and
Paper a cover for the table.
Scissors 6. Open the paper to reveal a
Paint symmetrical butterfly painting.
Small Cups Let dry.
Spoons

Photo credits:
https://artfulparent.com/
butterfly-symmetry-
paintings/

Adaptations:
Invite children to mix the paint colors to see what new colors they can
make.

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Leaf Counting Map

Early Learning Guidelines: Instructions:

Mathematics-(M.01) Number and
1. Use the pom-poms to
Operations: Children begin to coordinate
verbal counting with objects. represent eggs and place
Language and Literacy-(LL.01) Listening them on the laminated
and Understanding: follows single, multi-
leaves.
step, and complex directions.
Health & Physical Development-(HP.01) 2. Have the kids count, and put
Demonstrates hand-eye coordination and the correct amount of eggs
fine motor control through various
on the numbered leaves.
activities.
Approaches to Learning-(AL.01) Imitates
actions and behaviors of adult and other
children.

Materials Needed:
Laminated Numbered Leaves
Pom-Poms

Photo credits:
https://www.fantasticfunandlearning.co
m/caterpillar-egg-counting-mats.html

Adaptations:
Add kid-friendly tweezers/tongs/chopsticks for older children.
Leave the materials out for children to sort and count in different ways.

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Growing Caterpillar

Early Learning Guidelines: Instructions:

Creative Arts-(CA.02) Visual Art: Shows 1. Draw colorful lines on one side
preferences for colors.
Health & Physical Development-(HP.01)
of tissue
Fine Motor: Pulls caps off markers and 2. Roll tissue paper around
puts them back on firmly. woodenstick.
Science-(S.02) Scientific Skills and
Methods: Makes observations, predicts,
3. Use a black marker to draw the
draw conclusions, tries things out to see outside of the caterpillar with
what happens. dots or lines.
Approaches to Learning-(AL.01) Children
begin to follow directions and
4. Place caterpillar on plate and
demonstrate. slowly drop water on top of
the caterpillars.
Materials Needed: 5. Watch them grow!
Tissue Paper
Markers
Wooden Stick
Plate
Water

Photo credits:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/393150
242483471263/

Adaptations:

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023
 Animal Wings

Early Learning Guidelines: Instructions:

Health & Physical Development-(HP.02) 1. Help children put on their
Gross Motor: Child demonstrates effective
and efficient use of large muscles for
wings.
movement, position, and to explore the 2. Set them loose to play
environment. however they choose.
Mathematics-(M.02) Geometry and Spatial
Sense: Explores space by moving self
under, over, between, and around objects.
Creative Arts-(CA.03) Movement: Uses
movement to interpret or imitate animals.
Creative Arts-(CA.04) Dramatic Play: Uses
costumes to disguise self and play a
character.

Materials Needed:
Animal Dress-up Wings

Photo credits:

Adaptations:

Nebraska Extension is a Division of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln cooperating
with the Counties and the United Sates Department of Agriculture.
Nebraska Extension educational programs abide with the nondiscrimination policies of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and the United
States Department of Agriculture. © 2023