Monarch Butterfly Facts for Kids

Today, I’m sharing educational activities on Monarch Butterfly facts for kids.  So, the Monarch Butterfly is the most studied butterfly on the planet. It could be because millions of Monarchs migrate from the United States and Canada to California and Mexico yearly.  Another reason could be their brilliant orange, black, and white color that makes you wonder what kind of butterfly is it. Or, it makes you wonder where it came from or how beautiful it is enjoying the nectar from the flowers.    

Monarch Butterfly Facts for Kids: 

The fact sheet on the Monarch Butterfly is a great science resource.  It discusses how long the Monarch Butterfly lives, what it eats and other interesting facts.  There’s also a word search puzzle, coloring pages and butterfly math sheets.

Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle:

Furthermore, the Monarch Butterfly life cycle goes through 4 stages, laying the eggs, hatching into a caterpillar or larvae, spinning a chrysalis, and the metamorphosis into an adult butterfly.

Stage1 – (Eggs – The female Monarch lays between 300 and 500 eggs on milkweed.

Stage2 – (Caterpillar or Larvae) – The Monarch hatching will grow into a full size caterpillar and feed on milkweed for approximately 2 weeks.  

Stage3 –  (Chrysalis or Pupa) – During this stage, the caterpillar with hang in a J from a wad of silk and spin a jade and yellow colored chrysalis around itself.  

Stage4 – (Adult Butterfly) – The adult Monarch emerges from the chrysalis into the new world.  

Additionally, use the above printable to discuss the 4 stages of a Monarch Butterfly’s life, and what happens in each stage. Have students review the Monarch Butterfly Life Cycle videos below.  

Life Cycle of the Monarch Butterfly – YouTube – This video is thorough.  It goes through each of the 4 stages in detail.  It’s a great resource for older kids.  

Monarch caterpillar forming chrysalis (real time) – YouTube  – Kids will be intrigued watching the caterpillar hanging in a J shape and spinning the beautiful jade and yellow chrysalis.  This video is interesting and will hold the attention of younger children as well as older kids.  It’s a perfect addition to the Circle of Life discussion of Stage 3, the Monarch Chrysalis. 

Adult Monarch Butterfly Emerges from its Chrysalis – YouTube –  If the kids thought watching the caterpillar spinning his Chrysalis was amazing, they will love watching the butterfly emerge and get ready to take flight.  Mother nature truly is amazing.  This video is a great addition to Stage 4, the adult Monarch Butterfly. 

Don’t forget the complete the sentences activity.  It’s a great reading comprehension activity.  Finally, you can download the Monarch Butterfly activity sheets here.