Butterfly Releases

There's something truly special about holding a delicate butterfly in your hand and watching it take flight into a sunlit garden. At the Purdy Butterfly House, families can do exactly that while learning about these fascinating creatures and their vital role in our ecosystem. The experience begins with a brief educational presentation about butterfly habitats and behavior, then participants get to gently release live butterflies into the greenhouse environment. It's a hands-on nature lesson that captivates children and adults alike, offering a rare chance to interact safely with wildlife while contributing to the indoor butterfly population. The release programs run on select Saturdays from May through September, with two sessions offered each day at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Each session lasts about 30 minutes, making it a perfect morning activity that won't tire out younger children. Registration is required and space is limited, so planning ahead is essential. Pricing is $8 per participant for Garden members and $20-27 for non-members (children 3-15 pay $20, adults $27), with children two and under requiring a ticket only if they're participating in the release. The Botanical Garden is located at 4747 Bob Wallace Avenue. Bring your camera—this is one of those rare moments when the photo opportunities truly live up to the hype. Children as young as three can participate with guidance, though kids around ages 5-10 seem to get the most out of the combination of education and hands-on experience. The climate-controlled butterfly house provides comfortable conditions even on hot summer days, and the entire family can explore the rest of the botanical garden afterward.