Butterfly Releases

There's something genuinely special about watching a butterfly flutter from your child's palm into the warm air of the Purdy Butterfly House. These Saturday morning releases combine a brief educational presentation about butterflies and their habitat with the hands-on experience of helping restore the indoor butterfly population. It's a quiet, magical moment that resonates with children who are just beginning to understand their connection to the natural world — and it makes for wonderful photos that capture the wonder on their faces. The 30-minute programs run on select Saturdays from May through September at 10:00 and 11:00 a.m. at the Huntsville Botanical Garden. Pricing is $8 for everyone participating in the release if you're a Garden member, while non-members pay $27 for adults and $20 for children ages 3-15. Even toddlers under two can participate for $8, though they receive free garden admission otherwise. Registration is required and space fills quickly, so plan ahead for your preferred date. Bring your camera or phone — this is one of those rare experiences where the official photographer (you) actually gets cooperative subjects, at least for a few seconds before they fly away. The Butterfly House itself stays comfortably climate-controlled, but you'll want to allow extra time before or after to explore the rest of the Garden's 112 acres. Kids around ages 5-10 seem particularly enchanted by the combination of gentle handling and dramatic flight, though families with preschoolers and middle schoolers will find plenty to appreciate in this hands-on conservation experience.