Use these life cycle of a butterfly printables with your next kindergarten or preschool butterfly theme.
Teaching science in preschool and kindergarten is a blast! The kids are natural scientists, with so many amazing questions and observations. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and I always find myself getting excited about what they’re learning about.
Hands-on science activities are so important, and I especially love bringing real items in as often as possible. What better way to learn about a concept than to get your eyes (and sometimes hands) on it!
This is definitely the case when teaching a preschool butterfly theme. Every time I’ve taught one, I’ve been able to bring real caterpillars into the classroom. Observing the butterfly life cycle in the flesh is a must with young kids. Older kids love it, too, I can tell you (not to mention the grown ups)!
In addition to the real caterpillars and butterflies, we read a ton of butterfly books during this theme – both fiction and non-fiction. I like having real photos of different types of butterflies and caterpillars up in the science center too.
From there, I like to incorporate a variety of hands-on activities that lets the kids explore the concept in a variety of ways. While I’m not fond of worksheets, I do also like bringing in printables that work well alongside the hands-on, multi-sensory activities we have going on.
For a butterfly theme, I’ve made a few of my own. I’ve also found more from like-minded teachers and parents. Check out 15 such printables below. If I missed some of your favorites, feel free to tell me about them in the comments at the end of the post.
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Life Cycle of a Butterfly Printables
Below you’ll find 15 free life cycle of a butterfly printables to use in your early childhood classroom. I think each of them can be used with preschoolers and kindergartners, and they’re all adaptable to individual children’s needs.
Butterfly Life Cycle Printables from Fun-A-Day!
Make butterfly life cycle sensory bottles, and then use the printable life cycle cards to label each of the bottles. Simple, fun, and colorful bottles you can keep at the science center or in your sensory center (or switch it up throughout your theme).
Print out a simple emergent reader about the butterfly life cycle to use with the kids. They’ll have fun making each stage of a butterfly’s development while working on early literacy skills.
You can use the printable life cycle leaf cards to make a fun necklace with the kids, or as a matching activity to go with a homemade life cycle necklace. Because kids love to make necklaces for themselves.
Even More Free Life Cycle of a Butterfly Printables
After you’ve made the necklace, why not make a butterfly life cycle hat too?! I can just picture the kids walking around with the butterfly life cycle all over themselves.
Use a paper plate to depict the life cycle of a butterfly, using the printable as a guide for putting everything together.
Make a game about learning the life cycle of a butterfly! I love the idea of making an even bigger version to put on the floor and play.
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Use real-life photos to learn more about the butterfly’s life cycle. Pair the printable cards with small life cycle toys for further exploration.
Use this free printable to make a butterfly life cycle cup activity. The kids can twist and turn it as they explain how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.
An adult would likely need to assemble this butterfly paper zentangle toy, but I am sure the kids would be amazed watching it change through the life cycle.
These realistic cutting strips would be a great addition to your fine motor or science centers! Such pretty photos.
Print out some observation sheets for your students! These are perfect for when you have caterpillars in your science center.
Put together a mini book using these life cycle of a butterfly printables. Then make sure to keep the books in the reading center for lots of rereading.
These butterfly printables let the kids explore each stage with some writing, coloring, and a few bits of pasta.
The children can work on scissor skills while retelling the life cycle of a butterfly.
This set of printables focuses on the Monarch butterfly. It comes with word cards, a poster, and a sequencing activity.
Preschool Butterfly Lesson Plans
Pop over to Preschool Teacher 101 to check out our done-for-you butterfly lesson plans. It’s a week’s worth of printable lesson plans, already-planned activities (for whole group, small group, and centers), book suggestions, and coordinating printables.
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Get your butterfly lesson plans now
Also available on Teachers Pay Teachers
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