10 Best Butterfly Kits for Growing or Keeping Reviewed in 2024
Ana
There is something truly magical about the life cycle of a butterfly. It is an experience that no one will forget. The whole experience is a hand on educational know-how. From getting the caterpillars to watching each of them hatches into butterflies. Each of these stages is as interesting as the last. Checking on them each day and seeing what stage they are at and where they are headed is fun. Kids and adults will love sharing this experience together. It is simple and there are kits available on the market that makes it easy. Buying the kits allows you to have all the right materials and habitat to be a success in this journey. We have created a list of kits for growing and keeping butterflies.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 17 hrs of research
Comes with 5 live caterpillars included and guarantees that at least three will become butterflies
Includes a butterfly feeder and an eye dropper to provide a sugary substance to the insects.
Has a foldable netted cage that is a foot tall and can be hung up
Comes with a detailed instruction booklet of how to properly care for caterpillars and butterflies.
Ships within 4 days upon order
-
Nature Gift Store Lady Caterpillars
-
Nature Bound NB535 Bug Catcher
-
Insect Lore World of Eric Carle
-
Oxel Insect Habitat 24 Inches
-
Oxel Insect Habitat
-
Insect Lore With Voucher
-
RESTCLOUD Insect Habitat Cage Terrarium
-
Educational Insights Butterfly Bungalow
-
Nature Gift Store
-
Insect Lore Giant Deluxe 18"
10 Best Butterfly Kits Reviewed
1. Nature Gift Store Lady Caterpillars
Comes with 5 live caterpillars included and guarantees that at least three will become butterflies
Includes a butterfly feeder and an eye dropper to provide a sugary substance to the insects.
Has a foldable netted cage that is a foot tall and can be hung up
Comes with a detailed instruction booklet of how to properly care for caterpillars and butterflies.
Ships within 4 days upon order
Guarantee doesn’t apply to areas where the temperature is below 40 degrees or above 85 degrees
For those who want to actually see the evolution of the painted lady butterfly, this Live Butterfly kit is certainly worth considering. This kit comes with everything that is needed to get started, including 5 live caterpillars.
Read moreEducational Value
A genuine STEM project that will provide kids will an understanding of one of nature's true beauties. A good project for kids to do with their parents at home as a family project. Also great for use in a classroom to engage kids in a better understanding of how a butterfly matures and evolves.
Design
These will come contained in a properly sealed cup. Also, to give the proper housing for the caterpillars and later the adult butterflies, the kit comes with a pop up net cage. Kids will learn responsibility with these critters.
Green Factor
This is ideal to be placed in a corner on the table or has a hook to be hung up. Also, the company guarantees that the caterpillars will arrive alive and further guarantees that at least three of these will emerge from the cocoon alive and will mature to flying butterflies.
2. Nature Bound NB535 Bug Catcher
A 7 piece set to not only actively catch butterflies but to house them properly along with studying them.
Habitat includes a feeding pipette along with three compartments
Includes a complete instruction booklet and an activity booklet
Ideal for not just catching butterflies but other types of insects and critters such as frogs
Habitat and catcher aren’t ideal to keep an insect in for very long due to small size.
This seven-piece kit by Nature Bound includes everything your child needs to catch their own insects. That’s right, the included net will allow your child to catch more than just butterflies.
Read moreEducational Value
The seven pieces in this set come together to provide the perfectional educational tool for your child or class. Children will be able to fuel their curiosity about nature and the world as they capture, feed, and release all types of critters. This set will give them the chance to view insects up close, whereas they may not have had that chance without it. A fear of touching bugs won’t be an issue as there are tools in this kit that will do the capturing for you. The activity booklet will provide fun facts about insects as well as provide your child with fun worksheets, games, and puzzles.
Design
Along with the net, this set also includes a magnifier, tweezers, water feeder, bug jar, bug tongs, bug habitat, storage bucket, petri dish, and an activity booklet. The bug habitat is equipped with a strap and three magnifiers on top of the lid. The strap will make it easier for your child to transport their bugs while the magnifiers allow them to see their bugs clearly while inside. For larger critters, the storage bucket can double as a habitat. If your child is out catching bugs and they left the storage bucket and habitat at home, they can use the small bug jar. Designed with a ventilated lid, they can continue their search for hours even after adding a bug to the jar.
Green Factor
The great thing about using the provided net, thongs and tweezers is that a child never has to actually touch the butterfly. Which would no doubt be helpful to the insect as to not traumatize it in any way. Once captured the butterflies can be placed inside the capture jug or three-compartment habitat. To get a closer look at the butterflies to study them more closely there is a magnifying glass as well.
3. Insect Lore World of Eric Carle
Five live very hungry caterpillars included
Beautiful mesh habitat
Deluxe log for chrysalis station
Watch caterpillars grow as they eat the nutritious food included
Easy-to-follow instructions
Some customers received caterpillars with NPV (nuclear polyhedrosis virus), which will not allow them to turn into butterflies
Celebrate this beloved book’s 50th anniversary with this special Insect Lore kit. In it, you’ll find a Very Hungry Caterpillar-themed butterfly habitat, a flower-shaped butterfly feeder, a feeding dropper, a chrysalis station log to track their progress, and five baby Very Hungry Caterpillars with nutritious food for each.
Read moreEducational Value
This kit teaches children about the life cycle of a butterfly, as well as providing an opportunity for them to work on some responsibility by adhering to a feeding regimen and keeping track of their little caterpillars’ growth. The chrysalis log will help nature lovers take notes and keep an eye on each day’s progress.
Design
The caterpillars will likely make their chrysalids within several days of arrival, and from there you and your little one can watch them grow into beautiful butterflies inside their mesh habitat. Little ones can name the butterflies and watch them as they grow.
Green Factor
The entire transformation takes about three weeks total, and caterpillars may not survive their journey to you in extreme heat conditions, so be mindful of the weather in your area, and order when temperatures are going to be 84 degrees or below.
4. Oxel Insect Habitat 24 Inches
Plenty of room for butterflies to fly around.
Is collapsible and easily folds up to be moved or for storage purposes
Has breathable mesh netting on all sides but is secure enough to keep unwanted pest such as ants and flies from gaining access.
Heavy-duty zipper opening for easy access and large enough to make it possible to release butterflies is desired.
Not an ideal closure to house the caterpillars during the raising process due to large size.
The Oxel Insect Habitat is great for those who are serious about growing butterflies as it is one of the largest on the market.
Read moreEducational Value
The height and width of this habitat will allow your family to also grow a garden while growing butterflies. In fact, you will be able to grow several butterflies at once. The wide zipper makes it easy for you to have full access to the contents inside the habitat, thus providing you with an up-close look and a full hands-on experience. Not only does the opening make it easy to release the butterflies but it also provides viewers with a front seat.
Design
This terrarium will actually measure up to 48 inches in height and has a width of 27 inches in diameter which give the butterflies plenty of room to fly around. There is also plenty of room in which to add plants to the bottom of the terrarium to add host plants for the butterflies to lay their eggs. Also, no need to worry about it being hard to move to another location because this one easily collapses and folds up. It is also washable, which means it would be easy for anyone including a child to clean.
Green Factor
Not only will the large amount of space make it easier for your child to keep an eye on the butterflies but it also gives the insects plenty of space to fly around. With more room, the butterflies will be happier and healthier. The mesh material on each of the five sides promotes healthy airflow for all types of insects. While this material is mesh, it is a fine mesh and will keep out predator insects such as wasps and ants.
5. Oxel Insect Habitat
Large size
Easily washed with a bleach mixture
Well-ventilated
Easily opened and fully-enclosed
Doesn’t come with caterpillars
This habitat is the perfect environment to grow not only butterflies but just about any insect you can fit inside it! It’s a great addition to any current butterfly growing kit you may have or a great precursor to one.
Read moreEducational Value
For the adventurous type, this habitat is a great starting place for kids who don’t mind hunting down their own insects. It’s the perfect environment to watch and nurture all of their favorite bug-eyed friends!
Design
Kids will be able to explore and discover new insects and will always have a place to keep them with this mesh habitat that’s easily washed and fully-enclosed. It’s also super affordable if your kids don’t mind doing the hard work of an insect search themselves!
Green Factor
Not only will your kids love this habitat, but the caterpillars they find to home inside of it will as well. It’s a natural environment for them and will allow for fresh air and plenty of room to watch them grow and thrive.
6. Insect Lore With Voucher
Comes with a habitat to observe the natural process of a butterfly through various stages.
Habitat has a full zipper side to make it easy to open wide to let the butterflies leave to go into nature.
It’s a #1 Best Seller on Amazon
After you grow your butterflies you can set them free outside
Caterpillars don’t come with the actual kit and although there is a certificate to get these free there is a shipping fee that will be attached.
From Insect Lore a company that has been supplying caterpillars to the public for almost fifty years. This kit provides all that is needed to start to study the life cycle of the butterfly.
Read moreEducational Value
Provides kids an opportunity to actually witness the metamorphosis of a butterfly. This is a great at home family project to provide kids an understanding of the life cycle. Also, a good school project as early as kindergarten. Also, good to teach a child about how to care for something then let it go since the butterflies should be released from this habitat within a week of emergency.
Design
With this kit known as the Butterfly Garden, the company will provide 5 caterpillars, that from there will go into the cocoon that is known as the chrysalides stage and from there emerge a painted lady butterfly. Included to help house the butterflies through the process is a collapsible mesh habitat that is about 12 inches in height. Also, included are detailed instructions on how to use the habitat.
Green Factor
A butterfly kit that was once an As Seen on TV product and perhaps help put raising butterflies more to the forefront, by showing that this is a fun activity that a whole family would enjoy doing.
7. RESTCLOUD Insect Habitat Cage Terrarium
Professional designed butterfly and insect habitat
Features clear window made from vinyl for clear observation
Five panels constructed from fine mesh for great airflow
Easy to store collapsible design
Zipper opening for easy access and protection
Fines mesh makes it hard to see inside, the vinyl window is the only way to observe
Difficult to collapse and fold for storage
Looking for a professional version of a well-constructed butterfly habitat? Then this is it. This habitat cage is perfect for raising butterflies and other insects. The design is square which allows for it to stand straight up.
Read moreEducational Value
On the outside of the habitat, there is a clear vinyl window that allows for observation. It will give an unforgettable opportunity to anyone that is watching. First watchers can observe the caterpillars ‘moving throughout the habitat, then as they turn into chrysalides and hang out for a period of time.
Design
It will not rock or move once the set-up is complete. The final step is the best step, the emersion of the beautiful butterflies. The design of the habitat features five mesh sides that allow great airflow and support a healthy environment for the butterflies to strive in. There is also a zipper that has been created in the fine mesh that allows you to access the inside of the habitat but keeps predator insects out. Once the butterflies have flown away and it is time to store the habitat it is easy. Simply fold the habitat up for easy storage. The design of the habitat is tall and wide making it ideal for holding milkweed plants which the butterflies will love. This habitat makes it easy to access the inside, keeps predators out, and ideal for keeping them as happy as can be.
Green Factor
Habitats for raising butterflies are extremely cool and the design of this habitat is even cooler. The easy to access side panel with the zipper access is great for being able to feed the butterflies and change their water, but secure enough to keep out any predator insects.
8. Educational Insights Butterfly Bungalow
Affordable
Instructions are easy to follow
Fosters a love of science
Bungalow can be reused.
Will have to pay extra for caterpillars
Fuel your child’s curiosity with the Educational Insights Butterfly Bungalow. The entire set can easily be enjoyed by children ages four and up.
Read moreEducational Value
This bungalow is the perfect tool for STEM learning. As your child watches the butterfly grow they will be introduced to a world of science. This kit will give your child an up-close look at the step-by-step process of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly. This is a great activity to do at home or with a class.
Design
This butterfly kit includes a chrysalis log, magnifying glass, a caterpillar certificat to receive live caterpillars, and an activity guide. Your child will also receive a mesh habitat house which can be reused, thus your child can grow butterflies as often as they like. The habitat is designed with a storage pocket that serves as the perfect place for the magnifying glass.
Green Factor
If you have a garden, growing butterflies will be highly beneficial. Bufferflies help pollinate plants when searching for nectar. If you don’t have a garden, the butterflies you raise and release will be just as beneficial to the environment.
9. Nature Gift Store
Butterfly habitat kit with five caterpillars included
Includes; food for caterpillars, butter feeder, eye dropper, sugar, and mister
Habitat is three foot hanging mesh netting system
Features easy to access zipper door
Guarantees that you will get three adult butterflies from each kit
Wing development of butterflies is often deformed
Caterpillars will only be delivered in perfect conditions
Butterfly habitats are very cool and when they even include the butterflies it makes it a great value that is hard to pass up. Included with this butterfly habitat are five painted lady caterpillars.
Read moreEducational Value
This is ideal for feeding and water changes. The habitat also features a hanger. This allows you to be able to hang the habitat in an area that everyone can see. Butterflies will stay safe and comfortable for their entire life cycle in this butterfly habitat. It is a great kit that guarantees to put butterflies in your life.
Design
All you have to do it order them once you receive your habitat and they will be sent right to you. Included with the habitat is everything that is needed to rear a butterfly. The supplies include; food for the caterpillars, mister, a feeder for the butterflies, eye dropper, and sugar. Also included are instructions that are easy to follow and a page for coloring for the kids. One of the best things about this kit is they guarantee that at least 3 of the caterpillars that that are delivered will become butterflies. What is unique about this habitat is that is it a hanging cage that has been constructed from a netting fabric. The fabric is perfect for allowing the air to flow through but keeping other things out. There is also a zipper to be able to easily access inside the habitat.
Green Factor
Not all kits come with the butterflies, but this one does. They will deliver 5 caterpillars to your home upon your request and they guarantee that at least three of those caterpillars will turn into whole growth adult butterflies that are healthy and thrive in this habitat. The caterpillars will arrive alive and ready to be put into the habitat.
10. Insect Lore Giant Deluxe 18"
Includes everything you need
Large enough habitat for several butterflies
Comes with a guarantee
Great for younger kids
There is a shipping and handling fee when redeeming the voucher
For kids ages four and up, this kit does all the work for them without overly complicating the process of caring for future butterflies. Insect Lore is a well-known brand for butterfly kits and ensures that your child will be able to fully experience the magic that is metamorphosis with their three out of five guarantee.
Read moreEducational Value
It’s a great kit for families to do as a weekend project or for your child and their friends. This would also make a great project for school since it’ll teach them all about the process of evolving and cocooning.
Design
Many times, caterpillars won’t make the shipping trip with their actual habitats if ordered all at once. Insect Lore has the option of a separate voucher to purchase live caterpillars separate, which ensures their chance of surviving. You may notice that this kit doesn’t come with live caterpillars, but never fear! It does come with a voucher that will allow you to get five live caterpillars which will prevent anything happening to them since they’re being shipping separately.
Green Factor
Raising caterpillars into butterflies is a rewarding experience for both kids and the earth. These critters greatly benefit the earth.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Educational Value
This is the main benefit of actually studying the butterfly up close. While observing the various stages and changes the butterfly goes through from larva (caterpillar) to cocoon to actual butterfly, a child learns that in life there are changes we all go through. Like the butterfly, they too will change over time as it is the natural process of things. Also, they can learn more about this beautiful insect in general, such as why it only flies and never walks, how to actually hold one without harming it and that it doesn’t actually hear but relies on its eyesight which is limited in color. Another lesson that can be learned from the butterfly is when kids let them go, it teaches a child that in life there will come a time when you have to let go of something and a butterfly will always be its happiest while out in nature. The educational benefits of observing a butterfly are endless, and the great thing is it is so fascinating to the child that they won’t think of it as learning but something that is fun.
Design
This is another benefit for a child to obtain through the butterfly. Because they are so colorful and flutter around, a child will be drawn to watch them. If they use a magnifying glass, they can also see other unique qualities about the butterfly while promoting their visual range of perception of the world around them.
Green Factor
Caring for butterflies is just like caring for any other pet. They need to be fed a proper way and the butterfly habitat needs to be kept clean. This will follow the requirements set forth by that particular butterfly keeper’s instructions. A child could learn to take part in the process and how to go about doing it properly. While doing this, a child learns some responsibility and not only about caring for butterflies but also for caring for a pet in general.
Educational Value 
Creativity Green Factor 
In an age where kids can be so into video games and other digital technology, they might be losing track of the importance of the environment and nature. Through studying the butterfly and learning more about it, a child develops a deeper appreciation of the beauty of Mother Earth. It also gives them a further appreciation of the creatures that can be found in nature and perhaps even interest them in going outside and finding out more about nature in general.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: How did the butterfly actually get its name?
This is a question that no doubt younger kids could very well ask and one that no doubt some of us may have pondered at one time or another. However, there are several stories surrounding how the name actually came to be for this insect. Unfortunately, no one really knows for sure since the name dates back centuries. One legend is that witches would turn into beautiful flying insects to steal milk and butter. Another legend is that kids may live a bit more because of the fact that this insect comes out in the spring. While doing so the butterfly would appear flying around while milk was being churned into butter on farms and the name sort of stuck. But these are just a few legends and no one really knows for sure where the name actually came from.
q: How are butterflies beneficial to the environment?
Like the bee and the moth, the butterfly is a pollinator. This means that it will take pollen from one flower and distribute it to other plants which will benefit the ecosystem. Butterflies can also help control weeds and take care of some unwanted pests that can ruin gardens. Also, it turns out that scientists actually use butterflies as sort of a barometer, telling them if bad weather is on the horizon because of the absence of this insect in areas where it could be commonly found.
q: How long does it take a butterfly to emerge from a cocoon?
This will depend on some factors. For example in a warmer climate in the middle of summer, the process can take up to a month to actually happen. It will also depend on the species of butterfly. On average the Monarch butterfly, one of the most identifiable species, can take up to 14 days to emerge from the cocoon. However, the Painted Lady, which is one of the most common species and one that is often included in the butterfly kits, takes only seven to 10 days to emerge.
q: What is the best time of year and temperature to release butterflies into nature?
Butterflies are insects that thrive in spring and summer. The ideal temperature for a butterfly to actually take flight is between 55 to 60 degrees. So, butterflies should never be released when it cold out and also shouldn’t be released when it is raining.
q: How many species of butterflies are there?
There are actually around 20,000 different types of butterfly species throughout the world. In North America, it has been determined that there are around 725 different species of butterflies to date that have been discovered.
q: Is it important to put plants and flowers in habitats and does the size of habitat matter?
Yes, to both questions. First of all, flowers and plants are where a butterfly lays her eggs. Also, as stated above, butterflies are pollinators by nature and so being able to continue this process even in captivity would only benefit the species. As for the size of the habitat, butterflies love to fly around, so a larger habitat is always beneficial. Yes, we did place a few smaller ones on our list but these are more ideal for securing the butterfly after catching it in nature or moving it from one place to another. These small ones are also ideal to house a caterpillar since these don’t require the same amount of space as the butterfly does, but again host plants are necessary since these are one of a caterpillars main source of nourishment.
q: What is the lifespan of a butterfly?
Unfortunately a butterfly doesn’t have too long a lifespan. On average most butterflies only live about a month; the female butterflies tend to live a bit longer than the males though. In fact, the longest lifespan of a butterfly that has been documented is about one year. This is why it is so important to the butterfly to breed and lay eggs so that new versions of this insect species can hatch and then go through the same process from caterpillar to cocoon to adult butterfly. Another great lesson for kids to learn through the butterfly is about the circle of life.
q: Are butterflies so colorful for a reason?
As it turns out, there are actually several reasons for butterflies’ amazing colors. The first is that it gives them a good way to hide from predators. The butterfly’s bright coloring can mimic the same vibrant colors of the flowers and plants in nature that they gravitate toward, making them hard to spot to predators. Their bright colors also make the butterfly more appealing to other forms of their species to help them secure a mate. Turns out that the colors will also help provide warmth to the butterfly as well.
Sources
- , Butterfly Care & FAQs, FAQ Article
- , Answers to Kids' Questions About Butterflies, Online Article
- , Interesting facts about butterflies, Informative Online Article
- , Keeping Insects Caring for a Preying Mantis, Butterflies, Stick insects and Beetles, Informative Care Article
- , Science for Kids: Raising Butterflies in Preschool, Online Article
