Learning about butterflies just got more hands-on! This free butterfly life cycle printable set is a fun and educational way to teach kids all about the four stages of a butterfly’s life: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly. Whether you’re at home, in a classroom, or running a co-op science unit, this printable makes learning both visual and interactive.
Printable Butterfly Life Cycle Lesson
Preschoolers and early elementary-aged kids (ages 4-9) will love exploring how a tiny egg transforms into a beautiful butterfly. Younger children can work on matching the flashcards with the stages, while older kids can label and explain each phase in their own words.
Download the Printable Butterfly Lesson Here
Related: Download these butterfly facts for kids
What’s Included in the Butterfly Lifecycle Set
4 Hands-on Learning Cards
Cut out these cards of the 4 stages of the butterfly’s lifecycle.
Arrange your cards in the proper space on the numbered spaces.
4 Lifecycle Flashcards
Cut these flashcards out so kids can read and repeat important facts about each of the life stages:
1 – Butterfly Egg
- A butterfly starts life as a very small, round, oval egg.
- The egg shape depends on the type of butterfly that laid the egg.
- Butterfly eggs are usually laid on the leaves of plants.
2 – Larva (Caterpillar)
- Butterfly larvae are actually what we call caterpillars. Caterpillars do not stay in this stage for long and mostly, in this stage all they do is eat.
- When the egg hatches, the caterpillar will start his work and eat the leaf they were born onto.
- Their exoskeleton (skin) does not stretch or grow, so they grow by “molting” (shedding the outgrown skin) several times while it grows.
3 – Pupa (Chrysalis)
- As soon as a caterpillar is done growing and they have reached their full length/weight, they form themselves into a pupa, also known as a chrysalis.
- Within the chrysalis, the old body parts of the caterpillar are undergoing a remarkable transformation, called “metamorphosis” to become the beautiful parts that will make up the butterfly that will emerge.
4 – Butterfly
- When the butterfly first emerges from the chrysalis, both of the wings are going to be soft and folded against its body.
- After coming out of the chrysalis, the butterfly will pump blood into the wings in order to get them working and flapping – then they get to fly.
- Adult butterflies are constantly on the lookout to reproduce and when a female lays their eggs on some leaves, the butterfly life cycle will start all over.
Ways to Use This Printable
? Use it during spring or insect-themed units
?? Add it to a science center or homeschool lesson
? Pair it with a craft (like making a butterfly from a bubble wrap)
? Read a butterfly-themed book like The Very Hungry Caterpillar and reinforce the story with the flashcards
This is a great resource to help children understand the concept of life cycles, build science vocabulary, and enjoy the magic of nature—right from your kitchen table or classroom.
Download, print, cut and watch their curiosity take flight!
Butterfly Crafts from Kids Activities Blog
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