My daughter was four when she first fell in love with butterflies.
That Spring she was obsessed with caring for her garden of flowers. She watered them, gently touched them, often picked them, and carried them around.
Naturally, we read books about flowers and in these books she found butterflies. They were beautiful and colorful and a wonderful active companion to her beloved flowers.
Here are a list of books about Butterflies we enjoyed ever so much and some fun learning activities to pair with them for a delightful Butterfly filled story time.
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Butterfly Story Time
This is a great Spring story time. It is full of color and life. You can find the rest of my 12 Spring Story Time ideas in this post.
4 Great Butterfly Read Alouds
1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
I believe every preschooler in the country has read this book, but a list about butterflies really would not be complete without this classic. Watch a caterpillar eat an astounding amount of food and then turn into a beautiful butterfly. 2+
2. Ten Little Caterpillars by Bill Martin Jr.
Written and Illustrated by the team that created Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, this delightful little book counts ten caterpillars that crawl into various places and eventually become butterflies and moths. Extra information about the various types of caterpillars and what they become in the back captured with Lois Ehlert’s distinctive illustrations. Perfect book for Spring or as a companion for The Very Hungry Caterpillar. 1+
3. Waiting for Wings by Lois Ehlert
Beautiful colorful story that could easily be the companion for Planting a Rainbow. Bright brilliantly colored flowers and butterflies and creative use of paper to capture the beauty of these lovely creatures. In the back there is a helpful guide of both the butterfly types and flower variations.
Glasswings : A Butterfly’s Story by Elisa Kleven
The colors and dreamy nature of the illustrations burst off the page in this imaginative story about a Glasswings butterfly. Claire, the butterfly, gets swept up into a wind and blown to a big city where her transparent wings will make it hard for her family to find her. Fortunately she finds new friends and flowers to make her feel at home in an urban garden. A sweet story that is richly enhanced by the detailed and rich illustrations of its talented author/illustrator. 3+
ALSO READ: Tweet Tweet: A Bird Story Time
3 Story Time Songs / Fingerplays about Butterflies
3 Preschool Butterfly Songs from Preschool Powol Packets
Flutter Flutter Butterfly Song from Jbrary
Two Little Butterflies Fingerplay from Miss Meg’s Storytime
ALSO READ: Buzzing Bee Storytime
Butterfly Activities
After story time I love to have a play time activity or project for the table ready to go to continue the excitement about our story time topic. Here are some fun ideas to try after you read and sing about butterflies.
Cognitive Activities
Preschool Butterfly Puzzles from Preschool Powol Packets
Literacy Activities
Building Reading Comprehension Skills: Lego Inspired Eric Carle Retelling from The Educators’ Spin On It
Spring Printable Writing Prompts from My Storytime Corner
Math Activities
DIY Butterfly Count + Match Game from Bambini Travel
Exploring Shapes on Mats with a Butterfly Theme from JDaniel4’s Mom
Caterpillar Math with Recycled Lids from The Educators’ Spin On It
Sensory Activities
Butterfly Food Sensory Challenge from Preschool Powol Packets
Caterpillar to Butterfly Craft from Mama Smiles
Science Activities
Grow and Release Your Own Butterflies from Educents
Tips for Visiting a Butterfly Garden with Kids from Bambini Travel
Caterpillar to Butterfly Science Activity with Balloons from The Educator’s Spin On It
