The metamorphosis of the caterpillar into a butterfly has symbolized rebirth for centuries,
eternal life and being born again through Christ, making these easy Bible story crafts for kids ideal for Sunday school, homeschoolers, or other groups looking for kids Bible crafts or other Bible lessons. This craft could accompany a story like the wonderful picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle (this book also has beautiful collages that can inspire other projects).
In this whimsical book, the caterpillar eats all kinds of food, including a cherry pie, so you might as well read a short nonfiction picture book for kids. After all, in real life caterpillars are very picky about what they eat.
Then you can make a comparison of how the leaves of the right plant nourish the caterpillar so that it becomes a butterfly, just as the teachings of Jesus nourish our spirit so that we can be reborn in the heavenly kingdom. There are many wonderful analogies to be found between the humble caterpillar’s metamorphosis into a beautiful flying creature.
Below you will find a butterfly craft and tips on growing butterfly gardens.
supplies
o Wooden spring type clothespin
o Green pom poms (4 medium)
o White school glue
Pipe cleaner
or white paper
o Outline of butterfly wings
o Markers, pencils or paint
teacher preparation
Most young children will need a template for their butterfly wings. You can create one by drawing a pair of wings on a piece of paper and photocopying one for each child.
Instructions:
1. Glue pom poms to one side of the clothespin.
2. Shape antennae with a pipe cleaner
3. Twist the antennae into the non-closing end of the clothespin
4. Set aside to dry.
5. Color or paint the wings of the butterfly.
6. Trim the wings.
7. Turn the caterpillar into a butterfly by clipping the wings with the clothespin!
butterfly gardens
Children love to watch butterflies, and if you create a butterfly garden, they may also have the opportunity to observe caterpillars and cocoons.
To grow a butterfly garden, you’ll need to grow plants that provide nectar, places for the butterflies to lay eggs, food plants for the caterpillars (the larva), and places for the butterflies to pupate (cocoon).
Here are some tips for designing your butterfly garden:
1. Grow nectar-producing plants in sunny areas because adult butterflies rarely feed in the shade.
2. Butterflies and many caterpillars are picky eaters. Consult a regional field guide to find out which butterfly species prefer which plants.
3. Plant dense clusters of small flowers such as zinnias, milkweeds, verbenas, and many plants in the mint family are favored by many species of butterflies.
4. Do not use insecticides or pesticides.
5. Design your garden so that flowers are grouped by plant type and also in large monochromatic splashes of color. This makes it easier for the butterflies to see and catch the scent of the flowers.
6. Choose plants with tubular flowers or flat flowers, which make better landing strips and feeding stations. Choose easier-to-drink single-flowered ones rather than double ones (the ones with extra petals).
7. Since butterflies are active from early spring to late fall, plant accordingly and include both annuals and perennials.
8. Include plants in the butterfly garden that provide food for caterpillars and are attractive to female butterflies looking for places to lay eggs.
9. Keep your favorite “watering holes”: wet areas and/or shallow puddles.
10. Include plenty of spots in your butterfly garden for basking. Since butterflies cannot fly when their body temperatures are below 70 F, they often bask on rocks, bare ground, or vegetation.
11. Last but not least, create your butterfly garden in a way that is easy for you and the kids to enjoy, perhaps including a garden swing, or bringing the garden closer to you by planting near a deck or A pond.
