Children in preschool will have a blast getting messy while learning about how caterpillars turn into butterflies. Using large sheets of paper and finger paint, have the children make thumb-print caterpillars and butterflies. While a series of thumb-prints in a row can serve to resemble the former, a butterfly can be made with four thumb-prints, two in a row on top and two on the bottom. Once the thumb-print paintings have dried, the kids can draw on faces and antenna with black marker.
Young children love picture books with large, brightly colored art. Books such as these can be highly educational, and there is a wide variety available on caterpillars that turn into butterflies. Available titles include "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, "The Ugly Caterpillar" by Loretta Lutman, "From Caterpillar to Butterfly" by Deborah Heiligman, "Are You a Butterfly?" by Judy Allen and "Clara Caterpillar" by Henry Cole. Follow-up the books with a discussion about how caterpillars change to butterflies.
In a fun activity that requires basic materials, have preschoolers decorate a clothespin to resemble a caterpillar using colorful pom-poms and a pipe cleaner. While this is drying, have each child paint a piece of paper towel with a mixture of food coloring and water. Allow the paper towel to dry, which can be done in the oven on low-heat if necessary. Assist the children to fan-fold both sides of the paper towel in 1/2 inch sections. Transform the caterpillar into a butterfly by pinching the paper towel and clipping it with the clothespin.
Have children make their own cocoons by coloring an empty toilet paper tube green and brown. While the cocoon dries, assist the preschoolers with cutting butterfly shapes out of construction paper and gluing them to craft sticks. The butterflies can the be decorated using paint, markers, glitter and other craft supplies. Kids can use the toilet paper roll and butterfly cut-out to mimic the process of a butterfly emerging from a cocoon.
Butterfly kits are available online. The kits come with a pupae or caterpillar, mesh enclosure, food for the pupae and comprehensive instructions. They are relatively inexpensive and children can watch the entire process unfold day by day. Releasing the butterflies once they are ready is a moment the children won't soon forget.