Elementary Science Projects Kits for Raising Butterflies
What are students favorite elementary science projects?? Raising a butterfly in the classroom has to top the list!
Below you will find science kits for raising butterflies in the classroom with everything you need. Also, check out my step by step instructions for
elementary school science projects
raising monarchs, including a fall science project using plentiful common milkweed found almost everywhere and a winter science plant project growing tropical milkweed from seed.
This is a perfect Christian or Catholic homeschool science project because the wonder of God's creation is so evident in the metamorphosis of the butterfly.
There are two types of butterflies that are great to raise in the classroom....the Monarch and Painted Lady.
In my opinion the Monarch Butterfly is much more interesting in every stage and "natural" because you are providing "real" plant food, but the Painted Lady might be easier because it doesn't require as much time.
If you decide on Monarch Butterflies as elementary science projects, you will need to plan ahead. The monarch caterpillar host plant (food) is milkweed.
The science kit I recommend below, contains milkweed cuttings but they need a few weeks to grow before they will be big enough to feed the caterpillars.
On the other hand, the painted lady kits come with the prepared food, so you can start your butterfly classroom activities right away.
If you don't have enough time for the Monarch Butterfly this year, try the Painted Lady and then plan ahead for next year.
milkweed seeds you can give to students so they can try raising butterflies at home or use them in the classroom for a science plant unit
information on "Adopt a Caterpillar"
small caterpillar cage
7 small milkweed plants (certificate for later or live plants)
3 monarch caterpillars - certificate to use when milkweed is larger
You will also see two other larger kits available, one with 15 milkweed cuttings, 6 caterpillars, a large caterpillar cage and one with 25 milkweed cuttings, 15 caterpillars, 1 small and 2 large caterpillar cages.
You will also see a larger painted lady butterfly kit with 33 caterpillars.
The company that is selling these kits,
Live Monarch
, has the cheapest prices for butterfly raising kits and is a very reputable non-profit organization.
Make sure and check out my related pages:
There are two types of butterflies that are great to raise in the classroom....the Monarch and Painted Lady. 
