****THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED*****************
The Princess is at that stage where make believe and Princess fairy tales are the main reasons to get up in the morning. When we are in full fantasy mode she calls me Queen Momma, so I am totally supportive of it. Unicorns and fairies are also discussed pretty frequently. While I encourage her imagination...I am so happy that she finds rainbows and butterflies magical too. I love watching her get so excited about science and nature. She recently celebrated her 4th birthday and received the Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden. It was one of her very favorite gifts and won my vote as well. You can see it here.
The Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden comes with a butterfly habitat, a dropper to feed the butterflies, and a coupon to send away for your caterpillars. 4 year olds aren't known for their patience, so the caterpillars had been ordered prior to the big day. Our container contained 5 live larvae.
All of the nutrients the caterpillars need are inside the plastic cup, so all you are required to do is keep it safe from your little scientist. The caterpillars grow daily and by the end of the week were chubby and ready to form their cocoons.
At this point the cocoons are transferred into the habitat and seven days later they began emerging from their cocoons one by one.
It was so fascinating how they all began and finished their transformations at roughly the same time. Caring for the butterflies was very simple and only required sugar water and orange slices.
Because the weather was rainy and chilly for several days we chose to keep observing them until the temperature was above 55 degrees. The Princess wasn't too excited about releasing them because she felt that they were her pets, but once I explained that it was necessary in order for them to be happy and healthy she was on board. They flew out one by one and then hung around the front yard for quite some time.
Have your camera ready because you can get really close to them while they are adjusting to their environment.
I highly recommend the Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden. The Princess loved it and is ready for more caterpillars. The experience was awesome and she learned so much (me too!).
Vicki from Obsession with Butterflies wants everyone to have a chance to learn more about butterflies and has agreed to give one free Insect Lore Butterfly Garden to a reader!!! Her website is beautiful and has so much information about butterflies. Make sure to check out the jewelry also. The butterfly wing pendants are so pretty and different. Also, I had a question about our butterflies, and she was so helpful and responded almost immediately. Make sure to visit her site here.
For your chance to win your own habitat, tell us who in your house would be the most excited to watch the butterfly's transformation. For us, I would say it was a tie.
Giveaway open to residents of the US only. Deadline for entry is Friday at 5:00 pm CST. Winner will be announced Saturday morning on the blog. Winner to be chose by that crazy radomizer thing! Be sure to leave your email address in the comments so we know how to get in touch with you. Good Luck!!