Sweet Shoppe Designs

meganmecrazy · #1 07-23-2008, 07:29 PM

So, my kiddos got this Butterfly Tree House as a birthday present and I sent away for the caterpillars a couple weeks ago. They arrived a couple days ago and the kids are enjoying watching them grow and all but MAN, I can't believe how big their turds are and how much they poop.

Oh, but yeah, the whole reason for my post is just to ask how many of you have done the whole butterfly treehouse thang! I want to hunt around my town and find different types of butterflies!! Like pretty colored ones!

MelindaH · #2 07-23-2008, 07:34 PM

I've done it in the classroom, but not on my own. They are pretty to look at while they last. They don't live very long. Good luck with your butterfly hunt!

Rebecca Lynn · #3 07-23-2008, 08:30 PM

I got that for the boys. It was such a blast watching them grow.

cindyg · #4 07-23-2008, 08:34 PM

I've done it in the classroom with the kids too. Its so cool when the first one comes out!

stayawake · #5 07-23-2008, 09:10 PM

If you can find milkweed in your area, Monarch eggs might be on them. Small greenish protrusions on the bottom of the leaves. I've 'hatched' several Monarchs... where I live you can tag and register them and they are 'tracked' as they migrate! It's pretty cool.

meganmecrazy · #6 07-23-2008, 09:21 PM

Our neighbors found monarch's on milkweed!! They are pretty!

mrs_jb · #7 07-23-2008, 09:35 PM

I keep thinking about trying that for the boys... but knowing them, they would never want to let them go! LOL

hhleung · #8 07-23-2008, 10:34 PM

We didn't do that specific kit but this spring, we ordered a butterfly kit from www.insectlore.com. It was really interesting and my DD6 (who loves science) was really interested in it. She was pretty sad to let them go (it took me a week to convince to her to do it) but I told her we could do it again next year if she wanted.

I have to admit that I was a bit turned off by how furry the caterpillars were in the few days before they formed their chrysalises. And yes, they pooped a lot, too!

Helen

meems · #9 07-23-2008, 10:37 PM

wow, I've never seen that. looks cool. Makes me want to go to Target.

SamaraGugler · #10 07-23-2008, 10:40 PM

When I taught 1st grade we did Painted Lady butterflies, an ant farm, and tadpoles. I think the tadpoles were the most fun. Now that I teach 6th grade we don't do things like this.

ZaCola3 · #11 07-23-2008, 10:41 PM

I have done a few butterfly units when I taught preschool!
We found the monarchs on milkweed and watched them hatch in our room.
I also planted a butterfly garden and we tagged all the monarchs and watched their progress to Mexico...that was a blast.

Looks like a lot of fun Megan!