Grow your Own Butterfly kits are a popular way to observe the life cycle of a butterfly up close and personal. These kits provide everything you need to raise a butterfly, from caterpillars to food and habitat. The process is both educational and entertaining, as children can watch the caterpillars grow and develop into beautiful butterflies.
Additionally, grow your own butterfly kits are a great way to teach children about the importance of conservation and the role that butterflies play in our ecosystem.
In this article, we will take a closer look at butterfly kits and provide tips on how to choose the best one for your needs. Butterfly kits can be a wonderful gift for kids. Or, you can raise butterflies to release into your garden to help pollinate plants.
Tips On How To Choose The Best Grow Your Own Butterfly Kits For Your Needs
1/ When choosing a grow-your-own butterfly kit, there are a few factors to consider to ensure that it fits your needs. First, consider the species of butterfly you want to raise, as different butterfly kits may offer different species options.
2/ Additionally, think about the number of caterpillars you want to raise and the size of the enclosure needed to accommodate them.
3/ Make sure the kit comes with all necessary supplies, including food, habitat, and instructions on how to care for your caterpillars. You may also want to look for a kit that offers a guarantee of the live arrival of the caterpillars.
4/ Lastly, consider the overall quality of the kit and the company’s reputation for customer service. By taking these factors into account, you can choose the best butterfly kit for your needs and ensure a successful and enjoyable experience raising your own butterflies.
Top 8 Grow Your Own Butterfly Kits
Here we will take a look at the top 9 butterfly kits currently for sale and compare them. Descriptions of the kits, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each one, will help you make an informed choice.
1. Insect Lore Butterfly Growing Kit
The Insect Lore butterfly kit is one of the most popular caterpillar-to-butterfly kits on the market. The kit comes with all the equipment you need to get started raising caterpillars. You get a large terrarium/habitat, a feeding dropper, and instructions.
This kit is also STEM-approved for people interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The kit doesn’t have live caterpillars; however, there is a voucher to order these for free separately.
What We Liked About Insect Lore Butterfly Kit:
- The large mesh terrarium has a full zipper side for easy access.
- Excellent instructions.
- Top seller on Amazon
What We Didn’t Like About The Butterfly Kit:
- No live caterpillars are included. A voucher for five caterpillars is included to redeem later. You still have to pay extra for shipping.
2. Nature Bound Butterfly Growing Habitat Kit
There are no caterpillars included; however, the package includes a 50% off coupon. Or, you could look in your yard for caterpillars to raise in the habitat.
What We Liked About Nature Bound Butterfly Kit:
- The terrariums come in a choice of two colors—green or pink.
- Easy Velcro opening.
- Easy to store habitat.
What We Didn’t Like:
- The kit doesn’t include live caterpillars. The voucher is only for 50% off the cost of purchasing caterpillars plus shipping fees.
3. Insect Lore Cup Of Caterpillars
Along with the plastic container and caterpillars, you get a deluxe log for a chrysalis station where the chrysalises hang during metamorphosis.
The kit doesn’t include the mesh habitat. So, you either have to release them straight into your garden or already have a terrarium.
What We Liked About Insect Lore Cup Of Caterpillars:
- It comes with five baby caterpillars.
- Unique chrysalis station.
- STEM-approved
What We Didn’t Like About Insect Lore Cup Of Caterpillars:
- No mesh habitat is provided.
4. Insect Lore Butterfly Garden And Live Cup Of Caterpillar
Insect Lore is a top Amazon seller, and this butterfly kit contains all you need to get started. The kit includes five painted lady caterpillars, a tent-type pop-up habitat, a clear viewing panel, and a butterfly feeder.
You also get a cool chrysalis station to observe the hanging pupae before the butterflies emerge.
What We Liked About Insect Lore Butterfly Garden With Live Caterpillars:
- Everything you need to get started.
- Live butterfly farm.
- Flower feeder included.
- Five caterpillars included.
What We Didn’t Like About Insect Lore Butterfly Garden With Live Caterpillars:
- Some reviewers say the caterpillars didn’t make the journey
5. Nature Gift Store Live Butterfly Kit With 10 Lady Painted Caterpillars
One of the best caterpillars to butterfly kits is this one by Nature Gift Store. The package comes complete with a large 18-inch (45 cm) mesh terrarium, ten baby lady painted caterpillars, detailed instructions, and a butterfly feeder.
The pop-up mesh cage is ideal for storing when not in use and gives plenty of room for Painted lady butterflies to flutter around in.
What We Liked About Nature Gift Live Butterfly Kit With Painted Lady Caterpillars:
- From the ten caterpillars supplied, six are guaranteed to become butterflies.
- Large mesh terrarium—an ideal size for butterflies.
- Food is provided as well as a feeder.
- Excellent value for money.
What We Didn’t Like:
- The tubular-style mesh doesn’t offer clear viewing of butterflies.
6. Nature Bound Toys Butterfly Garden Habitat & Terrarium
This top-rated butterfly kit with a terrarium is another excellent choice for observing caterpillars turning into butterflies. The mesh terrarium has a clear vinyl panel to see the flying insects.
Also, the terrarium is one of the largest on this review—a massive 2 feet (60 cm) tall. So, plenty of room for butterflies to fly around. The kit doesn’t come with live caterpillars, but a 50%-off coupon is included to buy caterpillars.
What We Liked About Nature Bound Butterfly Garden Habitat:
- Extra-large terrarium with a clear vinyl panel for easy observation.
- Easy to set up and use.
- Complete instructions for growing live caterpillars
What We Didn’t Like:
- No live caterpillars included. The voucher is only for 50% off, and you still have to pay shipping costs.
7. Insect Lore World Of Eric Carle Caterpillar Butterfly Growing Kit
Another complete caterpillar-butterfly kit to observe these fascinating insects. The kit includes five caterpillars, a mesh pop-up terrarium, feeder, instructions, and a chrysalis station log.
Due to the popularity of the classic children’s book, this kit could be an exciting gift for a child.
What We Liked About Insect Lore World Of Eric Carle Butterfly Growing Kit:
- It comes complete with live caterpillars.
- Everything you need to raise your own butterflies.
- Easy instructions.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some customers complained that the caterpillars didn’t turn into butterflies or seem to be sick.
- An inflated price due to the branding.
8. Uncle Milton Butterfly Farm Live Habitat
Unfortunately, the product doesn’t get great reviews because of poor design.
What We Liked About Uncle Milton Butterfly Habitat:
- The dome-shaped terrarium looks attractive, especially with the decorative vine.
- Low-cost butterfly kit.
What We Didn’t Like:
- Poor customer reviews criticizing the design and quality.
- No caterpillars included, although a voucher is provided.
9. Educational Insights Butterfly Bungalow
The kit comes with a magnifying glass, chrysalis log station, and activity guide. You have to order the butterflies separately and pay for shipping.
What We Liked About Educational Insights Butterfly Kit:
- Affordable butterfly kit with everything to get your child interested in butterflies.
- The mesh bungalow can be reused.
- Includes a chrysalis log.
- Good reviews from customers.
What We Didn’t Like:
- The terrarium is small compared to other butterfly kits.
Reasons For Purchasing A Grow Your Own Butterfly Kit
Buying a high-quality Grow Your Own Butterfly kit is the perfect way to get your kids interested in science. The durable mesh terrariums provide the ideal habitat for caterpillars to grow into beautiful butterflies. The transformation from bug to butterfly is a great educational experience for children and adults alike.
However, butterfly kits aren’t just for educational purposes. You can raise butterflies at home to release into your garden. Many gardeners do this because butterflies are excellent pollinators. Or, from an ecological perspective—there is a decline in butterfly populations. So, raising butterflies at home to release outdoors is a great way to do something for the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Grow Your Own Butterfly Kits
When Is the Best Time To Buy A Grow-Your-Own Butterfly Kit?
Many butterfly kits are sold with live caterpillars. Because of this, you should only order butterfly kits when the temperature is over 40°F (4°C) and below 85°F (29°C). Some suppliers hold off sending live butterflies until the weather warms up.
Others put the responsibility on the buyer to ensure that conditions are right to send live insects through the mail.
How Long Does It Take For Caterpillars To Grow Into Butterflies?
Generally, it takes between five and 21 days for caterpillars to change into butterflies. The length of time depends on various factors such as species of caterpillar, environment, and outdoor temperature.
During this time, the caterpillar goes through a complete metamorphosis. After the transformation, the ugly grub emerges from the chrysalis as a beautiful butterfly or moth.
When Is It The Best Time To Release The Butterflies Into The Garden?
Weather conditions generally determine when the best time to release butterflies is. Release butterflies into your garden when the temperature is between 60°F and 65°F (16°C – 18°C), the sun is shining, and there’s no wind. If the butterflies are a day old, then some slight rain won’t hurt them.
If conditions aren’t right for releasing butterflies, keep them indoors in the mesh terrarium and feed them regularly.
What Will Butterflies Need In The Garden To Continue Breeding?
Growing the right plants in your garden is the best way to encourage butterflies to continue breeding in your garden. Some excellent plants to attract butterflies are nettles, cabbage, and various type of grasses.
Also, butterflies feed on nectar, so you should grow brightly colored flowering plants and make sure that there are sheltered spots in your backyard.
Do I Need A Butterfly House In My Garden?
You don’t need a butterfly house to help butterflies hibernate over the winter. Most species of butterflies prefer overwintering in shaded forests, away from open gardens and yards. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a butterfly house in your garden—it may work. However, the best way to attract butterflies is by growing the right type of plants, providing food sources, and sheltered areas in sunny spots.