Activity Description: Scout builds and decorates a butterfly house to give pollinators a safe place to rest.
Info Needed: Scout will learn that butterflies need shelter from wind, rain, and predators. A butterfly house offers a quiet spot for resting and hiding during bad weather.
Items Needed:
- Wooden box or butterfly house kit
- Drill or pre-cut vertical slits for entry
- Paint or markers for decorating
- (Optional) Natural items like bark, twigs, or leaves
- (Optional) String or wire for hanging
- (Optional) Sealant for weather protection
Before the Meeting:
- Purchase an easy to assemble kit or create a wooden box using one of the step-by-step tutorials below.
Instructions (Estimated Total Time: 30–45 min):
- Prepare the wooden box or kit for building. (5–10 min)
- Make sure the box is clean and dry.
- Check that entry slits are vertical and narrow.
- Decorate the outside of the butterfly house. (10–15 min)
- Use paint, markers, or natural items.
- Avoid painting inside the box.
- Add natural materials inside for shelter. (5–10 min)
- Place bark, twigs, or leaves loosely inside.
- Leave space for butterflies to move around.
- Choose a safe outdoor spot to place or hang the house. (5–10 min)
- Find a sunny, sheltered location near flowers.
- Mount on a post, fence, or tree about 3–5 feet high.
Step-by-Step Tutorials:
- DIY Crafts – How to Build a DIY Butterfly House – Offers multiple design options. Includes seasonal care and wood recommendations.
- Farm Life DIY – DIY Butterfly House – Simple tutorial with decorating ideas.
- Saws on Skates – DIY Butterfly House Plans – Printable plans with measurements and diagrams. Focuses on untreated wood.
- The Home Depot – How to Build a DIY Butterfly House – Clear instructions with photos and tool list.
- YouTube – Easy to Make Summer Garden Butterfly House – video tutorial with visual steps.
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