How to Grow Monarch Butterflies for Cheap

Growing monarch butterflies is a very fun activity for kids to do over spring or summer break. Not only will they learn about growing monarch butterflies they will learn about conservation as well. The monarch butterfly is having trouble surviving do to bad weather and a shortage of milkweed.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. 
   monarch butterflies

   The first thing to do when growing monarch butterflies is to go to live monarch. The link will be listed below and get free Milkweed seeds. All they want is a self addressed stamped envelope. Once you get your seeds plant them and take care of you plant so it will grow properly. While you plant (the food for you caterpillar) is growing go the library and rent some books on Monarch butterflies. Do your research and learn the vocabulary so your kids and you can get the most out of this experiment.

2. 
   monarch butterflies

   Now that you have your milkweed plant you have the food and are ready to start growing your Monarch butterfly. Go to free butterfly eggs in the resource section below to get your free eggs. You do need to pay shipping and handling. Fill out the form and email it to the email on the site and you will be sent your eggs. The link will be in the resource section. This web site also has care instructions.

3. 
   monarch butterflies

   Now make a home to grow your monarch butterflies in. I suggest using a old fish tank or large jar you have at home. Be sure to have airflow but cover the top with a screen or lid with holes in it. I really think reusing a container is a good idea because it teaches your child to reuse an item.

4. 
   monarch butterflies

   After you are done growing your monarch butterflies and have released them you can write a little book. Be sure to take pictures as you go and have your child learn about each step so they can write a few sentences after each picture about the monarch butterflies.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure your kid learns about each process from egg to butterfly so that fully understand
• You can try to find your own eggs for even more excitement
• Don't keep your monarch butterflies for more than a day or two. You can make a release time ahead of time to prepare a child who has gotten to attached. Remind your child why your monarch butterflies need to be released.

Resources

• freebutterflyeggs
• livemonarch.com

[Kathymcbain]

on 3/12/2009 This is a great article. I'm printing so I can do with my daughters.

[w8tn4him]

on 2/23/2009 love this article and will try this in the summer...if it ever comes again where I live!

[dlcass]

on 2/18/2009 Great ideas. We did this once, only we were lucky enough to find the caterpillar in our flowers. What a great day it was when it flew away to freedom.

[kskaggs]

on 2/18/2009 We used to have lots of milkweed in our alley when I was a kid. I remember lots of butterflies, but never knew why. Thanks for the info. 5*

[kaylakitty]

on 2/18/2009 Cute idea, I remember doing this in grade school.