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The Butterfly Life Cycle

Cut and paste the pictures in order.

What comes first?

  1. First
  2. Next
  3. Then
  4. Last

Cut out

  • Colorful cartoon egg Egg
  • Colorful cartoon caterpillar Caterpillar
  • Colorful cartoon chrysalis Chrysalis
  • Colorful cartoon butterfly Butterfly
kids-education.com - The Butterfly Life Cycle

Notes for adults

Age 4 · 15 min · Easy

Cut and paste the pictures to discover the butterfly life cycle: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly.

Learning objectives

  • Put the four stages of a butterfly's life cycle in order.
  • Name or point to the stages with adult support.
  • Cut and paste the pictures with help as needed.

What you need

  • Printed activity sheet
  • Child-safe scissors
  • Glue stick

Safety notes

Use child-safe scissors with close adult supervision. An adult can cut out the pictures if needed.

How to do it

  1. Print the sheet and gather the scissors and glue.
  2. Show the pictures and name the egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly.
  3. Explain that inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar changes into a butterfly.
  4. Show how to cut out a picture, keeping fingers away from the blades.
  5. Invite the child to cut out the pictures with your help.
  6. Ask the child to arrange the pictures in the boxes and paste them in place.
  7. Invite the child to point to the pictures and tell you the sequence.

Teaching suggestions

  • Say: “A caterpillar comes out of the egg. Next comes the chrysalis, and finally, the butterfly.”
  • For extra support, offer two pictures at a time and ask which comes first.
  • Explain that a butterfly forms a chrysalis; a cocoon is different.
  • In a group, invite each child to name or point to a stage, taking turns.

Variations

  • Make it easier: Cut out the pictures beforehand and help the child choose where to paste each one.
  • Make it harder: Mix up the pictures and invite the child to put them in order without looking at a model, explaining their choices.
  • Extend the activity: On a walk, look for butterflies and leaves together without touching the animals.

Talk about it

  • What happens after the caterpillar comes out of the egg?
  • How is a butterfly different from a caterpillar?
  • What do you think happens inside the chrysalis?
  • Where have you seen a butterfly?

What to look for

  • Notice whether the child puts the four pictures in order, with or without support.
  • Notice whether the child names or points to the stages when telling the sequence.
  • Observe how the child uses the scissors and glue and what help they need.