Caterpillar Adoption 2026

Get ready to witness the miracle of nature right in your own living room! We are thrilled to invite you to our most beloved tradition of the year: the Annual Caterpillar Adoption & Earth Day Festival. This isn’t just an event—it’s a front-row seat to one of the most magical transformations on the planet.

When you join us for this sun-filled celebration, you can officially adopt your very own Painted Lady caterpillar to take home. You’ll receive everything you need to become a "butterfly parent," watching with wonder as your tiny, crawling friend grows, tucks itself into a cozy chrysalis, and finally emerges as a vibrant butterfly!

But the fun doesn't stop at the adoption desk. Our Earth Day Festival will be buzzing with excitement, featuring hands-on STEM activities, eco-friendly crafts, and interactive exhibits that celebrate our beautiful planet. Whether you’re exploring our pollinator gardens or learning how to protect local wildlife, it’s a day of discovery, giggles, and green-thumb inspiration for the whole family. Don't miss your chance to bring a little piece of the museum’s magic home with you!

Ticket pricing

Members (including Access Pass Members): $20 per caterpillar and caterpillar kit

General: $25 per caterpillar and caterpillar kit

WIC/EBT card holders: $20 per caterpillar and caterpillar kit (Only available for purchase at our Visitor Services desk as proof of program participation and a matching ID is required.)

Ticket registration for Members will begin on Saturday, March 14th through Friday, March 20th.

General ticket registration, including WIC/EBT tickets, for this event will begin on Saturday, March 21st.

💡 Important Note on Museum Entry

Museum Admission is NOT included with the purchase of a Caterpillar Adoption ticket. The Earth Day Festival booths and outdoor activities are open to all Adoption Kit holders and Museum guests. However, if your family would like to head inside to explore the Museum Galleries please be sure to add General Admission tickets to your cart for each member of your party!

Members: Don't forget to sign in to receive your member discount on adoption kits!
Pick-up: All kits must be picked up in person during the festival on Saturday, April 18th.

caterpillar kits

The magic of the Annual Caterpillar Adoption & Earth Day Festival doesn't end when you leave the Museum—it’s just beginning! Every event ticket includes a specially curated Explorer Kit packed with everything your family needs to become backyard biologists and Earth Day heroes.

Check out the "green goodies" waiting for you:

🐛 The Star of the Show: Your Painted Lady Caterpillar

Each kit comes with one live Painted Lady caterpillar and all the nutrient-rich food it needs to grow big and strong. You’ll get a front-row seat to the incredible journey from a tiny crawler to a beautiful butterfly!

🔍 The Ultimate Observation Station

Watch the transformation in high definition! Your kit includes a sturdy butterfly observation box and a handy magnifying glass so you can spot every tiny detail, from the caterpillar’s silk spinning to its final, miraculous emergence from the chrysalis.

🌎 Earth-Friendly Essentials

Celebrate our planet with gear you can use again and again!

DIY Reusable Tote Bag: Get creative at our craft station! Decorate your very own tote to carry your museum finds and future groceries in style.
Travel Utensil Set: Say goodbye to single-use plastics! This reusable set is perfect for school lunches or family picnics in the park.

🌸 Hummingbird Feeder Kit

Keep the nature party going in your own garden! Assemble and take home a hummingbird feeder kit to attract these shimmering "flying jewels" to your yard. It’s the perfect way to support our local pollinators long after the festival is over.

Note for Parents: All kits are distributed on-site during the event. Our team will provide a "Caterpillar Care Guide" to ensure your new fluttering friend has a safe and successful transformation at home!

earth day festival

While your new caterpillar friend is getting settled, step outside and immerse yourself in our Earth Day Festival! Our outdoor space will be buzzing with hands-on discovery, local experts, and eco-friendly fun designed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.

🌍 Interactive Education & Resource Booths

Meet the heroes who help keep our community green! We’ve gathered local experts to share secrets about the world beneath our feet and the skies above:

Bob the Bee Guy: Get an up-close (and safe!) look at a live observation beehive. Learn why bees are the MVPs of our ecosystem and how they make the honey we love.
The Ant Research Station: Dive into the tiny, busy world of ants. Discover how these social insects build empires and keep our soil healthy.
City of La Habra Public Works: Meet the team that keeps our city running! Learn about local water conservation and how our city stays beautiful.
CR&R Environmental Services: Master the art of recycling! Play interactive games to learn what goes in which bin and how we can reduce waste together.

🎨 Conservation Crafts & Storytime

Let your creativity bloom with activities that give back to Mother Earth:

Hands-On Eco-Crafts: Transform recycled materials into works of art.
Earth Day Storytimes: Join our museum educators for spirited readings of nature-themed books. We’ll explore tales of adventurous animals and brave children who helped save their habitats.

Memberships

Members get special perks all year long, including reduced special event rates and early access to popular events (such as this one) before the general public! Memberships are offered all year round with a variety of different options to fit the size of your family.

Interested in what else our memberships have to offer? Check out our Membership page HERE!

Access Pass

The Children's Museum at La Habra is dedicated to opening our doors and encouraging learn through play for all little ones and their families. Our Access Pass membership offers all the same benefits of our Caboose Pass at a reduced price for families who qualify.

Access Membership is available for current participants in these programs:

CalFresh Program/ Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP)
Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Application and sign-up for this membership is available at our Visitor Services desk.