If you have never witnessed the Monarch butterfly migration from Toronto then let me try and explain. Imagine being down at the beach and noticing one lovely orange and black butterfly flitting by. This might excite you, and you might say "Hey, look a butterfly!" Now imagine that you notice a second butterfly, a third, a fourth...50...100 orange and black butterflies sailing along in the breeze. This is the Monarch migration. It is stunning. In fact you can read and see what I mean in the post my friend Kari has written on her site ActiveKidsClub.com. The photos are stunning.
This past weekend we celebrated my daughter's 8th birthday with an outdoor party at a local park (Riverdale Farm). Knowing that this is butterfly time, I created a butterfly craft for the children's loot bags. I clearly remember making this same craft when I was a child. My youngest daughter was at a birthday party at the Science Centre this summer, where they made a similar craft. I love the way the kids eyes light up when the butterfly floats on their fingertip!
Balancing Butterfly
white paper - 8-½" x 11"
pencil
scissors
tape
tape
cardboard (cereal box will do fine)
crayons, markers
2 pennies
2 pennies
1. fold the paper into quarters, then cut along the folds - creating 4 rectangles of paper that are approximately 4-¼"x 5-½"
2. fold one of the rectangles in half and draw half of a butterfly...be sure to include a "head" and a "tail"
3. with the paper folded, cut out the butterfly...you now have a perfectly symmetrical butterfly
4. trace the symmetrical butterfly onto your piece of cardboard
5. cut out the butterfly and decorate it with markers, crayons - nothing that will add weight to the cardboard
6. turn the butterfly over and tape one penny on the top of each wing (near the "head")...the pennies must be parallel
7. turn the butterfly over again and place your finger under the butterfly's "head" - between the pennies
8. the butterfly should balance on your fingertip...if it does not balance adjust the placement of your finger and the placement of the pennies until it floats.
9. you can also try balancing the butterfly on the eraser end of a pencil...or your nose!
Balancing these butterflies is not quite as magical as witnessing the real thing, but they are pretty cool. They also introduce a conversation about the migratory path of butterflies and why butterflies are important to our ecosystem. Have a look at the links below for more information on the Monarch butterfly. And if you live in Toronto I hope you have an opportunity to check out the butterflies before they all leave town for the winter.
Parks Canada
PBS - Nova episode about the migration of Monarch Butterflies airs November 30th - watch a preview
Pollination Canada
LeeanneA / KMullally says
Oh I always made these with my Girl Guide units - so fun!
Terri says
Fun! I'm going to have to try this with my girls... they'll love it!!
Lori says
This is so awesome and a wonderful learning activity!
KitchenCounterChronicles says
Thanks so much ladies..it really is a fun and educational craft...which are the best kind. Thanks for stopping by!
Melissa Taylor says
great idea!
Mummy...Mummy.....MUM!! says
That is brilliant! I love it. I will definitely try it with my 3! Thank you so much for linking up with Science Sparks.
Emma @sciencesparks
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy) says
Cute!