5 Fun Things to Do With Kids on Learn About Butterflies Day

Spring is in the air, and that means that soon something else will be in the air: butterflies! March 14 is Learn About Butterflies Day, so spend some time outside with your kids today and see if you can spot one of those colorful creatures. If you need some inspiration, here are five ways you can celebrate:

butterfly on flower by JF Bruzan

1. Create a butterfly garden.

One of the best ways to attract butterflies to your yard is to plant nectar-producing flowers that have red, yellow, orange, pink, or purple blossoms. Plant them in a sunny spot in a group so they grow in clusters.

You can also bring butterflies to you by mashing up fruit and sugar and smearing it on a rock, tree, or other surface in your yard.

Make your garden as butterfly-friendly as possible by putting out a shallow pan of wet sand or mud for them to sip from, and by providing a few rocks they can use to bask in the sun.

2. Sing a song about butterflies.

While you’re hunting for butterflies or working away in your butterfly garden, pass the time by singing a tune about butterflies. Get the lyrics to “Blue Butterfly,” sung to the tune of “Baby Mine,” on our website, or get creative and make up your own.

3. Make a butterfly you can eat.

pear butterfly

Fresh fruit is the perfect springtime snack, so use your imagination to whip up a fruity butterfly treat. Use two halves of a pear or a few apple slices for the wings, and for the body try a piece of celery, a carrot, or a banana. Celery or carrot strips also work great for the antennae. Decorate your butterfly with raisins, cereal, cherries, or anything else you like.

For another butterfly recipe, try making butterfly muffins.

 

4. Learn some fun facts.

Did you know that a butterfly can’t fly if its body temperature falls below 86°F? Or that they drink the tears of turtles? And they use their feet to taste? Curious kids can learn more by checking out this butterfly article from Ranger Rick Jr. and butterfly fact sheet from Ranger Rick.

5. Get crafty.

Use a coffee filter, a pipe cleaner, and pom-poms to make a beautiful butterfly that won’t fly away. Here’s how:

  • Decorate the coffee filter with markers and then spray it with water.
  • Once it dries, wrap a pipe cleaner around the middle of the filter.
  • Glue pom-poms onto the clothespin and clip the clothespin to the filter.
  • Bend the pipe cleaner to make the antennae.

Coffee Filter Butterfly craft

More butterfly crafts:

Find more fun crafts, recipes, and activities in the Family Fun section of our new Kids website.