Looking for a fun and educational activity for kids? I recently tried out the National Geographic Butterfly Growing Kit, and it’s a great way to explore nature up close.
This kit lets you create your Butterfly habitat at home. It comes with a mesh enclosure, a feeder you can decorate, and a voucher for 5 caterpillars. I enjoyed watching the caterpillars grow, form chrysalises, and emerge as Painted Lady Butterflies. The process was fascinating to observe.
The kit includes a learning guide that teaches about the butterfly life cycle. There’s also a poster to track the caterpillars’ progress. I found these materials helpful for understanding what I was seeing.
One downside is that shipping the caterpillars costs extra. Also, they can only be sent within the mainland USA. But overall, the kit provides everything else needed to get started.
Want To Skip The Review? Here’s The Bottom Line.
The National Geographic Butterfly Growing Kit is a neat hands-on science activity. It’s fun and educational for both kids and adults. Check it out on Amazon if you want to experience the Butterfly life cycle at home! That being said, I think the Insect Lore Butterfly Garden is overall the better buy, albeit more expensive.
A Quick Overview of the National Geographic Butterfly Growing Kit
I was excited to try out the Nat Geo Butterfly kit with my kids. It’s a fun way to see Butterflies develop up close. The mesh enclosure lets you watch the whole process. We got a voucher for 5 caterpillars, though shipping wasn’t free. The kit includes a feeder kids can decorate with stickers.
Watching the caterpillars grow, form chrysalises, and emerge as Painted Lady Butterflies was amazing. The learning guide taught us about Butterfly life cycles. We used the poster to track our caterpillars’ progress each day. While not perfect, it’s a cool science project overall. If you want to compare options, you might also check out our review of the Insect Lore Butterfly Garden Kit. Both kits offer hands-on ways for kids to learn about nature.
Creating a Butterfly Habitat
I set up the mesh enclosure that came with this kit. It’s roomy and has a clear lid so I could easily watch the Butterflies. I decorated the feeder with the included stickers, which was a fun touch. The kit includes a voucher for 5 caterpillars, but keep in mind there’s an extra fee for shipping them. I enjoyed seeing the caterpillars grow and form chrysalises. It was amazing to watch them emerge as Painted Lady Butterflies. The learning guide taught me a lot about Butterfly life cycles. There’s even a poster to track the caterpillars’ progress. While I liked the educational aspect, I wish the shipping fee for the caterpillars was included in the kit price. Still, it’s a neat way to see nature up close.
Caterpillar to Butterfly: What to Expect
I was amazed by the transformation process when I used this kit. The mesh cage provides a perfect home for the caterpillars. I watched as they munched on food and grew bigger each day.
After about 7-10 days, the caterpillars climbed to the top of the cage. They hung upside down in a J-shape. Then they shed their skin one last time to form chrysalises.
The chrysalis stage lasts around 7-10 days. I checked on them often, eager to spot the first signs of emerging Butterflies. When they finally came out, their wings were wet and crumpled. It took a few hours for the wings to dry and stretch out.
The newly emerged Painted Lady Butterflies were beautiful! I fed them sugar water from the flower-shaped feeder. After a few days of observing them, I released the Butterflies outside.
How’s The National Geographic Butterfly Kit’s Educational Value?
I found this Butterfly kit to be an excellent learning tool. It gives kids a front-row seat to witness the amazing metamorphosis of caterpillars into Butterflies. The included guide teaches about the Butterfly life cycle in an easy-to-understand way. There’s even a poster for tracking the caterpillars’ progress. I liked how it made science hands-on and exciting. Kids can decorate the feeder with stickers, adding a fun creative element. The see-through enclosure lets you observe every stage up close. This kit sparked lots of questions and curiosity in my family. It’s a great way to learn about insects and nature. The only downside is that shipping the live caterpillars costs extra.
Is The Kit Good Quality?
I’m actually impressed with the sturdy construction of this Butterfly kit. The habitat feels durable and well-made, standing up to curious little hands. It’s clear National Geographic put thought into the design. The mesh allows good airflow while keeping tiny caterpillars safely inside. I like that the feeder and other accessories seem built to last. This isn’t a flimsy toy, but a quality educational tool. The instructions are easy to follow, making the process smooth. My only quibble is the separate shipping cost for caterpillars, but the quick delivery helps make up for it. Overall, this kit delivers on its promise of a hands-on nature experience. It’s a solid choice for families wanting to explore Butterfly metamorphosis up close.
Nat Geo’s Butterfly Kit’s Pros and Cons
This Butterfly kit offers a unique and educational experience for both kids and adults. I found it to be a great way to witness the amazing transformation of caterpillars into Butterflies up close.
Pros
- The mesh enclosure is well-designed with a see-through lid for easy viewing
- Includes a voucher for 5 caterpillars (additional shipping fee applies)
- Comes with a decorative feeder and stickers for kids to personalize
- Full-color learning guide teaches about the Butterfly life cycle
- Poster included for tracking caterpillar progress
- High-quality materials and good customer service
Cons
- Caterpillar shipping is limited to mainland USA only
- Additional fee required for caterpillar shipping
- Caterpillars may take a few weeks to arrive after ordering
- Not suitable for customers outside the USA due to shipping restrictions
I was impressed by how engaging this kit was for my whole family. We eagerly watched each stage of the process, from tiny caterpillars to beautiful Painted Lady Butterflies. The mesh enclosure made it easy to observe without disturbing the insects. The learning materials were helpful and age-appropriate. My kids loved decorating the feeder with the included stickers. It added a fun, personal touch to the experience.
On the downside, I had to pay extra for caterpillar shipping, which wasn’t ideal. The wait time for the caterpillars to arrive was longer than expected. This might be frustrating for impatient kids. For those in the USA, this kit offers a great hands-on science activity. It’s perfect for homeschoolers or anyone interested in nature. Just be aware of the extra costs and potential wait time for the caterpillars.
Common Questions Answered
Now that I’ve been using the National Geographic Butterfly Kit for two full grows start to finish I’ve collected some common questions I’ve seen online and took a crack at answering them. Here are the questions I’ve encountered:
How long does it typically take for the Butterflies to grow and emerge?
The entire process from caterpillar to Butterfly takes about 3-4 weeks. I saw the caterpillars grow for about 7-10 days before forming their chrysalises. Then, it was another 7-10 days before the Butterflies emerged. The timing can vary a bit based on factors like temperature and humidity.
Are the caterpillars provided with the kit, or do they need to be ordered separately?
The kit comes with a voucher for 5 caterpillars, but you need to order them separately. I had to pay a small shipping fee, which was about $11. The caterpillars arrived quickly and were very tiny when they came.
Can the National Geographic Butterfly Growing Kit be used multiple times?
Yes, it can! I’ve used mine more than once. The mesh enclosure, feeder, and other components are reusable. You’ll just need to order new caterpillars each time you want to start the process again. It’s a great way to get more value out of the kit.
What are the key differences between the National Geographic Butterfly Growing Kit and other Butterfly-growing kits on the market?
I found a few things that set this kit apart:
- Quality: The mesh enclosure feels sturdy and well-made.
- Educational value: It comes with a detailed learning guide and poster for tracking progress.
- Brand reputation: National Geographic is known for high-quality educational products.
- Customization: Kids can decorate the feeder with included stickers, making it more fun and personal.
The main downside I noticed is that you can’t get the caterpillars shipped outside the mainland USA. Overall I do think Insect Lore’s kit is the better buy overall. Just in case you missed it the first time, we bought and reviewed that Butterfly kit as well.
Conclusion
The National Geographic Butterfly Kit offers a nice, unique, and educational experience. I found it exciting to watch the caterpillars grow and transform into Butterflies. The process was easy to follow, and the kit included all the necessary items. Kids especially loved seeing the different stages up close. While ordering caterpillars separately adds a small cost, I found it to be worth it for the hands-on learning. The reusable net is a nice bonus for future bug-catching. Some users outside the US may face shipping issues for live caterpillars. Overall, this kit provides a fun way to learn about nature and create lasting memories. It’s a good choice for families, homeschoolers, or anyone curious about Butterfly life cycles. Click here to check it out on Amazon!
Michael D. Larsen
Butterfly Rancher & Co-Owner of Larsen & Co.
With over twenty years of experience raising butterflies on my family’s Butterfly Farm, I have spent my entire life around Butterflies. Over the years, I’ve developed a passion for these creatures and want to share the knowledge I have gained thanks to my unique experiences raising butterflies commercially. If I can raise awareness of conservation efforts and butterfly news or spark someone’s interest in nature and butterflies, this website has served its purpose. Conservation starts with awareness and education!