Make a mobile that shows the complete metamorphosis of a butterfly from egg to larva (caterpillar) to pupa to adult (the butterfly). To learn more about the life cycle of the butterfly, click here.
- Many colors of construction paper, oak tag, or gift wrap
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Yarn or string
- Glue stick
- A sturdy paper plate
- Markers, crayons, or paint
- Stapler or tape
Instructions
Draw a spiral on a paper plate. Cut along the line.
Decorate the paper plate using markers, crayons, or paint.
Using green construction paper, draw a leaf and cut it out. Either draw tiny butterfly eggs on it or glue on tiny paper circles (either cut them out or use a hole punch to make some). A cluster of butterfly eggs are usually laid on the underside of a leaf; the eggs are white or yellow or greenish, and are circular to oval.
Draw and cut out a caterpillar (the egg hatches into a caterpillar, which spends its entire time eating leaves). Then decorate it.
Draw and cut out a pupa (the stage during which the caterpillar makes a protective case around itself and turns into a butterfly). Then decorate it.
To make butterfly wings, fold a small piece of paper in half. Then draw half a butterfly along the fold line.
Using dark paper, make a body for your butterfly (it’s basically a long oval with a circular head). Glue the body to the wings and decorate your butterfly.
Staple or tape the stages in the butterfly’s life cycle to string and then to the paper plate. Attach another short length of string to the plate; it will be used to hang the mobile up.
You now have a great butterfly life cycle mobile!