Butterfly life cycle card game practice that makes sequencing fun! This sequencing card game is played like a traditional game of "War," but children use the stages of the butterfly life cycle in place of numbers. The stage furthest along in the sequence wins the cards.

The playing cards show 8 sequential stages of the butterfly life cycle, and each one is also labeled with an ordinal number to ease confusion. Two versions of the word cards and poster are included to cover different terms for the same stages: chrysalis or pupa and larva or caterpillar. Children compare two cards at a time, think about which stage comes later and build life science vocabulary as they play.

With this butterfly life cycle sequencing game, you get

• Picture cards and word cards for 8 sequential butterfly life cycle stages
• Ordinal number labels on the cards for extra support
• Two terminology versions of the word cards and poster
• A butterfly life cycle poster for visual reference
• Game variations for readers, non-readers, matching and Go Fish

It is a great partner center!

What's Included

• Butterfly life cycle picture cards for 8 sequential stages, labeled with ordinal numbers
• Butterfly life cycle word cards in two versions (chrysalis/pupa and larva/caterpillar)
• Butterfly life cycle poster in two versions
• Game directions, including what to do in case of a tie
• Printing and setup directions
• Game variation suggestions

Why Teachers Love It

• Familiar game, new content: Most children already know how to play War, so they can focus on the science.
• Built-in sequencing practice: Every flip asks children to decide which stage comes later in the life cycle.
• Fits your terminology: Choose the chrysalis or pupa version and the larva or caterpillar version to match your curriculum.
• Works for readers and non-readers: Non-readers can play with picture cards only, while readers use both picture and word cards.
• More than one game: Use the same cards for War, a matching game, Go Fish or an independent matching center.
• Visual support included: The poster and ordinal number labels help children check their thinking.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Life cycle sequencing: Children compare two stages and decide which one comes later in the butterfly life cycle.
• Understanding animal life cycles: Repeated play helps children see that a butterfly grows and changes in an ordered process.
• Life science vocabulary: Children work with words such as egg, larva, caterpillar, chrysalis, pupa and butterfly.
• Ordinal numbers: Ordinal number labels connect each stage to its place in the sequence.
• Picture-to-word connections: Picture cards and word cards help children connect each stage with its name.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Taking turns
• Listening to classmates
• Maintaining attention
• Following directions
• Communicating choices
• Working independently

How to Use It

Step 1: Print the cards. For non-readers, print 4 copies of only the picture cards. For readers, print 2 copies of both the picture cards and the word cards. Divide the cards evenly between two players and place them face down in a stack.

Step 2: Players each flip over one card at the same time. The player with the card showing the furthest stage in the butterfly life cycle takes both cards and adds them to the bottom of their pile. For example, a chrysalis (pupa) beats an egg and a butterfly beats a chrysalis (pupa).

Step 3: In case of a tie, each player lays down three cards face down and then flips over the third card. The furthest stage wins all the cards. Play continues as time allows or until one player runs out of cards.

Easy Differentiation

Children come to life science with different reading levels and background knowledge. These options help every child take part in the same butterfly life cycle game.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Play with picture cards only
• Keep the butterfly life cycle poster visible during play
• Name each stage together before the game begins
• Point to the ordinal number labels to help compare stages

For On-Level Practice

• Play with both picture cards and word cards
• Name each stage aloud as cards are flipped
• Use words such as before, after and later to explain who wins
• Use the cards as an independent matching center

For an Extra Challenge

• Play without the poster as a reference
• Ask children to explain why one stage comes after another
• Put all 8 stages in order after the game
• Use both terminology versions and match the different names for the same stage

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Pair each spoken stage name with its picture card
• Use a short language frame such as "The ___ comes after the ___."
• Play Go Fish to practice asking for stage names
• Allow pointing or choosing between two cards as a response
• Give extra processing time before comparing stages

Perfect For

• Science centers
• Partner games
• Small groups
• Butterfly and insect units
• Spring themes
• Speech therapy sessions
• ELL and ESL support
• Early finishers
• Homeschool

Standards

This butterfly life cycle card game supports kindergarten and 1st grade standards in Common Core, the TEKS (Science 2021, ELAR adopted 2017) and the Virginia SOL (Science 2018, English 2024):

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS L.K.6: Use words learned through conversation and activities, such as larva, chrysalis and pupa.
• CCSS SL.K.1.a: Follow agreed-upon rules, such as listening to others and taking turns, during partner play.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS Science 1.13.B: Describe basic life cycles of animals, explored here through the stages of a butterfly.
• TEKS ELAR K.3.C: Identify and use words that name sequences, such as first, next and last.
• TEKS ELAR K.1.D: Work with others by following agreed-upon rules, including taking turns.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL Science K.7.b: Understand that plants and animals have life cycles.
• VA SOL English K.C.1.A.i: Listen actively and follow agreed-upon rules for participating, such as waiting for a turn.

Add the Butterfly Life Cycle Sequencing Card Game to your cart and have a fun science partner center ready to go. Print the cards, shuffle and watch your learners put the butterfly life cycle in order with every flip!

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

• On the 'thank you' page after checkout
• In your email
• Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account