Butterfly Fun for Kids

Butterfly are colorful flying insects that start life as little egg, then become caterpillar, form a chrysalis, and finally emerge with bright wings. They flutter from flower to flower, helping plants grow and making the world a more beautiful place.

Watch a Butterfly in Action!

See how a butterfly flaps its wings, lands on flowers, and dances through the air.

What Is a Butterfly?

Butterfly are insects with big, colorful wings and six legs. They go through four life stages:

• Egg: tiny and laid on leaves
• Caterpillar: eats leaves and grows fast
• Chrysalis: quiet stage when it changes inside
• Butterfly: colorful adult that flies and drinks nectar

Where Do Butterflies Live?

Butterfly live in many places around the world. They like warm, sunny spots.

• Meadows full of flowers
• Woodlands and gardens
• Tropical forests and fields

What Do Butterflies Eat?

Butterfly sip sweet liquid from flowers called nectar.

• Nectar from flowers
• Some sip tree sap or rotting fruit

How Big Is a Butterfly?

Butterfly sizes change a lot, but here are some easy ideas:

• Wingspan varies from about 2 cm to 20 cm (about the size of a postcard)
• Weight is very light, about as much as 2 paper clips

What Sound Do Butterflies Make?

Most butterfly don’t make sounds we can hear. But a few special ones, like cracker butterfly, snap their wings to talk or scare others.

Cool Butterfly Facts

• Butterfly taste with their feet!
• They can see many colors, even ultraviolet that we can’t see.
• Some butterfly migrate long distances, like the monarch.
• They live only a few weeks as adults.
• Butterfly wings are covered in tiny scales.
• They help flowers by carrying pollen.
• Some butterfly make clicking sounds with their wing scales.

Printables and Coloring Fun

Let’s have some creative fun with coloring and games!

• Download Butterfly Coloring Page (PDF)
• Play the Butterfly Online Coloring Game

Butterflies in the Eco-System

Butterfly play important jobs in nature.

• They help plants grow by moving pollen from flower to flower.
• Many birds, bats, frogs, spiders, and small animals eat butterflies or caterpillar.
• There are over 17,000 butterfly species worldwide.
• Some butterfly, like monarch, are in danger because of habitat loss.

Ask a Grown‑Up to Help You Learn More

• NG Kids – Monarch Facts
• Lepidoptera Butterfly House
• National Geographic Kids

Fun Questions About Butterflies

Ways to Donate and Support Butterflies

You can help butterflies by planting flower gardens, avoiding spray pesticides, or donating to groups that protect butterfly habitat.

Butterfly Conservation