Feeding Butterflies

Butterflies love nectar.
While we have a butterfly garden, and take care to invite them to feed, rest, and play in our little corner of the world, we don't have a lot of nectar to offer in the earliest stages of spring.
So today we made some.
You'll need a plastic lid, very ripe (and juicy) fruit, a hole punch or something to pierce your lid, paper or artificial flowers, tape or glue, and string.
First pierce your lid on four sides.
Cut four lengths of string - 14 inches or so.
Thread your string through the holes of your lid, and tie it (near the end of the string).

Draw and cut out your flowers, if you're using paper.
To put the flowers on, I held the strings upright (tied together) and the children glued them on, one on the front and back of the string. You could also lay your strings (not tied together yet) onto the table, and glue or tape your flowers on that way, making sure to leave plenty of string at the end for tying together and hanging.

If you laid out your string for attaching flowers, tie them together at the top, making sure to balance the lid as best you can.

Add your luscious (overripe) fruits.
Hang your treats somewhere your butterfly friends will be sure to see them.
Somewhere near shelter from the wind is nice - we hung ours in our baby cherry tree... butterflies love cherry trees!


This idea comes from the Young Science Explorers newsletter.