The National Geographic Butterfly Growing Kit sounds like a cool educational project. Before diving in, it's important to double-check if it's okay to use it in your state. The kit itself doesn't come with caterpillars. Instead, you get a voucher to order them, which is handy since it means you'll get them fresh.

The kit includes a mesh cage for the butterflies, a flower-shaped feeder, and some educational materials. These bits and pieces can make learning about a butterfly's life cycle pretty engaging, based on what we've found. Once you have the kit, you redeem the voucher online to get your caterpillars. While they're technically free, just remember there's a shipping and handling charge, usually around $10 to $15. Some people didn't expect this cost, but overall, they still found the educational value worthwhile.

One thing to keep in mind is local rules. Some places in the U.S. have laws about releasing non-native species, like the butterflies you might raise with this kit. So, before you release them, you might want to check with local wildlife or environmental agencies to see if that's permitted in your area.

The kit is especially recommended for kids four years old and up, which makes it perfect for a science project or homeschooling. Watching caterpillars become butterflies can spark curiosity and wonder in kids, giving them a hands-on peek at biology and ecology.

In short, the National Geographic Butterfly Growing Kit is a great educational resource. Just remember to factor in the shipping fee for the caterpillars and check your local regulations about butterfly releases.

According to our research, with a bit of prep work, you can enjoy this amazing natural spectacle legally and enjoyably wherever you are in the U.S.

The NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Butterfly Growing Kit is a fun way for kids and even adults to learn about the amazing life cycle of butterflies. While the kit doesn't come with live caterpillars, it does include a voucher for five of them. You'll need to order these separately, and there's an extra shipping cost of about $10-$15 within the mainland U.S.

The educational aspect is a big highlight of this kit. It comes with a sturdy mesh cage, which provides a clear view of the caterpillars as they grow and transform. There's also a flower-shaped feeder and some educational materials to help you understand each stage of the butterfly's life.

One important thing to keep in mind is that there are some rules about releasing butterflies in different states in the U.S., especially if they're not native species like the Painted Lady. It’s a good idea to check the local regulations in your area before you release any butterflies.

Overall, this kit is a great choice for its educational benefits and its ability to spark curiosity in kids. Just make sure to factor in the extra costs and check out any local restrictions when planning your butterfly-growing adventure.

Hey there! Just wanted to mention that with the National Geographic Butterfly Growing Kit, the caterpillars aren't included with the initial purchase.

Instead, the kit comes with a voucher you can use to order five caterpillars separately. When you do that, there's a shipping fee, which usually ranges from $10 to $15. It's just something to be aware of since a few folks have been surprised by the extra cost when ordering the caterpillars.

Overall, the kit is pretty popular, especially for kids who get a kick out of watching the caterpillars transform. It's educational and offers a nice hands-on way to learn about the butterfly life cycle.

Just keep in mind there might be local rules about releasing butterflies, and you'll need to be ready to take care of them as they grow. According to our research, understanding the care requirements ahead of time makes the experience smoother.

So if you're prepared for that little extra cost and the responsibility of caterpillar care, it sounds like a fun and educational activity!