Grades K–2
The Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Egg, caterpillar, chrysalis and butterfly to color and trace, plus a butterfly with matching wings to draw.
Science worksheet · Butterfly and frog life cycles
Life Cycle Words
Match larva, pupa, metamorphosis, tadpole, froglet and gills to their meanings, then fill in a short life cycle story.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–3
- Time
- About 20 minutes
- Answer key
- Yes, page 2 of the PDF
- Kids practice
- Life cycles, Metamorphosis, Sequencing
What kids do
Printed on the sheet:
- Draw a line from each word to its meaning.
- 1. A butterfly lays an on a leaf.
- 2. A caterpillar, or
- 3. The caterpillar eats lots of
Words on this sheet
larvawaterpupatadpolefroglettailgillseggleaveswings
Teacher tip
Act out metamorphosis: kids curl up as a pupa and stretch out as a butterfly.
How to use it
- Show a short time-lapse video of a caterpillar or a tadpole before the sheet.
- Raise butterflies or tadpoles in class if you can, and use the sheet as a record.
- Let partners compare answers and settle any differences with a book or a video.
Watch for
Mixing up chrysalis and cocoon. Butterflies make a chrysalis; many moths spin a cocoon.
Talk about it
- Why do you think frogs start life in water?
- Where have you seen this outside of school?
Take it further
Make a paper plate life cycle wheel with a brad in the middle.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More butterfly and frog life cycles worksheets
Grades K–2
The Life Cycle of a Frog
Eggs, tadpole, froglet and frog to color and trace, plus two quick questions about frogs.
Grades 1–3
Butterfly, Frog or Both?
Sort ten facts into butterfly, frog or both: a compare and contrast sheet for two life cycles.
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.