Caterpillars - Who Has Grown Them?

[Baby Beluga]

My children are learning about insects next week and I am considering buying a butterflying growing kit. Has anyone done this before? What is the process and work involved?

[Thriftylady]

There was some discussion about them here.

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81723

[NillaWafers]

I just finished with the butterflies, we did them for my Butterfly theme. It was pretty interesting, the kids loved it. It wasn't hard either, do it!

[Second Home]

We did it . It was not much work and the kids loved it . Be prepared for tears when you let them go .

[spedmommy4]

We just finished ours. It was really interesting for the kids. They checked on the caterpillars every day. We documented (drew) and talked about the changes we saw.

As for the process . . .
I picked up the butterfly habitat from Amazon.com for about $16 and it came with a certificate for one cup of caterpillars. I redeemed the coupon online and was able to start within a week of placing the order for the net.

The only thing I had to do was transfer the chrysalis' from the cup to the net habitat, then release the butterflies. Super easy!

[Thriftylady]

We just finished ours. It was really interesting for the kids. They checked on the caterpillars every day. We documented (drew) and talked about the changes we saw.

As for the process . . .
I picked up the butterfly habitat from Amazon.com for about $16 and it came with a certificate for one cup of caterpillars. I redeemed the coupon online and was able to start within a week of placing the order for the net.

The only thing I had to do was transfer the chrysalis' from the cup to the net habitat, then release the butterflies. Super easy!

I am looking forward to doing these. But we have to wait for summer. For starters it isn't warm enough (45 today for a high) and I want to wait until school is out so my school agers can take part more.

[Ariana]

I did it one year and it was a lot of fun! It took a long time for the caterpillars to turn into butterflies so the kids got a bit bored with it after a while but they still enjoyed releasing them.

I am not quite sure I have ever seen a butterfly the same way again. the whole process was pretty gross ::

[childcaremom]

Where did you get yours, Ariana? Every time I have looked for one, it has come with warnings in the reviews that the larvae won't ship to Canada.

[childcaremom]

Oh. Just found a site.

http://www.lucysbutterflyfarm.com/

[Ariana]

Where did you get yours, Ariana? Every time I have looked for one, it has come with warnings in the reviews that the larvae won't ship to Canada.

I actually get mine from our local childcare connections organization. They get them shipped from Montreal I believe and i only bought 3. The Montreal Biodome has a butterfly exhibit and I think you can also order directly through there. I think ordering through there (or the website you posted) you end up getting a lot more.

[Baby Beluga]

We just finished ours. It was really interesting for the kids. They checked on the caterpillars every day. We documented (drew) and talked about the changes we saw.

As for the process . . .
I picked up the butterfly habitat from Amazon.com for about $16 and it came with a certificate for one cup of caterpillars. I redeemed the coupon online and was able to start within a week of placing the order for the net.

The only thing I had to do was transfer the chrysalis' from the cup to the net habitat, then release the butterflies. Super easy!

That does sound super easy! I went ahead and ordered a kit from Amazon last night figuring if it got and I decided against it I could always return it. I am looking forward to watching the process.

[Missjaime]

I've done these two years in a row now and the kids love them. It is fun to watch how quickly they grow and really interesting to watch how they turn into chrysalides. The only sad thing this year was they hatched into butterflies while we were on a break at Easter! Oops, next year I will have to work the timing better. Kids were very interested and we did lots of fun activities along with it. Easy, fun, and a great learning experience.

[Josiegirl]

We can order the kit any time, then order the chrysalises when.....? I live in northeastern U.S. and it's still cold here.
I should do these this year. It does sound like fun.

[bubblegum]

I think I enjoyed it more than the kids! We have done lady bugs and butterflies.

[childcaremom]

I actually get mine from our local childcare connections organization. They get them shipped from Montreal I believe and i only bought 3. The Montreal Biodome has a butterfly exhibit and I think you can also order directly through there. I think ordering through there (or the website you posted) you end up getting a lot more.

Yes, I think the site said 15. That's a lot! Ha. I could start a butterfly empire.

Very cool, though. I really want to do this. Got to wait until it warms up, though.