The metamorphosis of the butterfly lends itself to many class activities. As it moves from egg to caterpillar to pupa to butterfly, the insect is distinctive and fun for kids. Your class can use various types of pasta, from orzo to farfalle (bowtie-shaped pasta), some water paints, glue and construction paper to illustrate the entire lifecycle, or you can develop activities for each of the stages in the metamorphosis. Picture books and short films are available to illustrate the entire process.
The characteristic gait of a caterpillar and its voracious eating habits make it ideal for class activities. Have kids fold strips of green construction paper accordion-style, then draw a face on the front. Cut an egg carton into strips, turn upside down and paint them green, then dye pipe cleaners green for the legs and antennae. Use green pipe cleaners and a drawing of an apple to show caterpillars eating their way through the apple — simply glue small faces to the ends of the pipe cleaners and poke the heads through the apple drawing. Of course, the classic children's book, The Hungry Caterpillar, can be read before the project.
The chrysalis, or pupa, is the dormant stage of the caterpillar, where it gradually transforms into a butterfly. A fun activity for kids is to use folded construction paper that can be squeezed to open and reveal a butterfly made from a piece of painted farfalle inside. Younger kids could use two painted walnut shells and some tape for the same type of project. Kids could also present a play, kneeling and keeping their heads down to imitate a chrysalis, then on cue, standing and spreading their "wings" to represent a butterfly. Consider a field trip to nearby fields in the spring to find pupas, then observe regularly until the butterfly is "born."
Butterflies are activity gold. Kids will love cutting out and decorating their own paper butterflies, adding eyes and antennae, and "flying" them around the room. Have the kids make and decorate larger wings, then tape them to their arms and have them perform a butterfly dance at a school assembly. Use plastic foam, wire, pipe cleaners, construction paper and paint to build a lifelike model of a butterfly and use more wire to suspend it from the ceiling to make it appear to fly when a breeze strikes it.