Learning About Butterflies in Arizona

The past two weeks have been all about butterflies here at my house. We ordered some painted lady caterpillars from Amazon. My kids loved watching them molt, form into their chrysalides, and then emerge as butterflies (Yes, we actually saw one come out. They always seem to emerge whenever we are gone. Bummer, right?). In Arizona, there are over 300 species of butterflies. We had a lot of fun learning about butterflies in Arizona – we read lots of good books, learned a great song, looked at a cool painting, memorized a poem, and made coffee filter butterflies. 

Fun fact, about two or three years ago (maybe four years ago), there was a huge increase in the butterfly population here in Phoenix. Butterflies were everywhere – splash pads, backyards, parks. They were even seen flying over the freeway. Does anyone remember that? 

Some topics, such as butterflies in Arizona, are hard to find in the format of a picture book, but we found some helpful information online at azstateparks.com . They listed butterflies here in Arizona, plants to attract butterflies (I am already looking into planting some desert milkweed this April), and even provided a butterfly booklet for kids. Tuscanbirds.org also had information and pictures about butterflies here in Arizona.

Picture Books about Butterflies

There are not any picture books specifically about butterflies in Arizona, but general picture books about butterflies worked just fine. Here are some of our favorites.

Are You a Butterfly by Judy Allen

What’s Inside a Caterpillar Cocoon? by Rachel Ignotofsky

The Mystery of the Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock

Where Butterflies Grow by Joanne Ryder

A Butterfly is Patient by Dianna Hurts Aston

Monarch Butterflies

Monarch butterflies are seen in Arizona between October to April as they migrate to and from Mexico or California. I have only seen one Monarch butterfly in the wild here in Arizona. Believe me, I was rather excited. As you probably know, monarchs are attracted to milkweed. I looked up what plants are needed for a butterfly garden in Phoenix. Desert Milkweed, Baja Fairy Duster, Desert Senna, and Globe Mallows are a few host plants for monarchs. The best time of year to plant a butterfly garden is mid-April. It is currently the beginning of April. I love it when things like that all work out. It makes me feel more organized than I really am. I am hoping to a butterfly garden going in the next few weeks.

Coffee Filter Butterfly

Charlotte Mason encouraged children to do handicrafts for a variety of reasons – fine motor skills, creativity, hand-eye coordination, and pure enjoyment of making something beautiful. We made coffee filter butterflies. It was an easy handicraft for my kids (ages 8, 6, and 3).

First, we colored two coffee filters using markers. Afterwards, we sprayed them with water and let them dry. Then we folded them up like an accordion and used a pipe wire to keep them together in the shape of a butterfly. I was thinking of sticking a magnet on the back so that we could see them on the fridge (but I haven’t done that yet).

Butterfly Wonderland

Naturally, a trip to Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale would follow after a butterfly unit. We went with another homeschool friend, but the place was overcrowded about four or five field trip groups. We left and plan to go back with our original tickets another day. If you are interested in going, but do not want a huge crowd all around you, then I would recommend going in the afternoon after the field trip groups have left.

I have been the Butterfly Wonderland a number of times. My kids have always enjoyed the butterfly room where butterflies fly around and land on you. They also do a short film about the monarch butterfly.

Final Thoughts

We have fun learning about butterflies in Arizona. I get so distracted when I am outside. If any of us see a butterfly, we make a big deal and shout, “Hey, look a butterfly!” Then we run after it and try to identify it.  I’m am sure this is all very normal behavior. This week we started learning about plants in the Sonoran Desert before summer comes in a few days. I will share what books we are reading for that unit in another post.

Carly from DesertHomeschoolDays.com