Butterflies of Washington with Kids: A Nature Explorer Guide (+ Free Map)

Washington's butterflies brighten gardens, meadows, and mountain slopes from the Puget Sound lowlands to the eastern foothills. Big Western Tiger Swallowtails sail along the rivers, Sara Orangetips are among the first signs of spring, and in summer the high meadows fill with fritillaries and blues. The state's many butterfly gardens and conservatories make it especially easy for families to see these beautiful insects up close, while wild trails reward explorers with native species against gorgeous Northwest scenery. 

This guide maps the best spots to find butterflies in Washington with kids. Give your young explorer a mission before you go with Nature Explorer Club's Butterflies of Washington Activity Book to track every butterfly your family discovers.

Best Spots for Butterflies in Washington

We mapped the best butterfly locations in Washington so you can plan your adventure before you go.

1. Pacific Science Center Tropical Butterfly House, Seattle — A warm, walk-through butterfly house in the heart of Seattle where kids can see living butterflies up close year-round — the easiest, most magical introduction.
2. Bellevue Botanical Garden Butterfly Garden — A beautiful garden with plantings designed to attract native butterflies, perfect for an easy family visit.
3. Seattle Japanese Garden — A serene garden whose flowers and ponds draw butterflies in a peaceful setting kids enjoy exploring.
4. Seattle Tilth Garden at Meridian Park — A community demonstration garden with pollinator-friendly plants that attract butterflies and bees.
5. Manito Park Butterfly Garden, Spokane — A lovely garden in Spokane's historic park, planted to draw a fine variety of butterflies through summer.
6. Rhododendron Garden, Sofala Park — A flowering garden whose blooms attract butterflies in late spring and summer.
7. Woodland Park Rose Garden, Seattle — A classic rose garden whose flowers draw swallowtails and other butterflies all summer.
8. Washington Native Plant Society sites — Native-plant gardens and preserves across the state planted with the host and nectar plants butterflies depend on.
9. Volunteer Park Conservatory, Seattle — A historic glass conservatory whose warm plantings draw butterflies, a lovely rainy-day family option.
10. Mount Spokane State Park — A mountain park in eastern Washington whose summer wildflower meadows host mountain butterfly species.

Make the Adventure Real The Butterflies of Washington Activity Book turns your trip into a hands-on mission for ages 7–12 — with a species tracker, fun facts, drawing pages, games, and puzzles. Shop the Book Get the Full WA Set

Family Tips for Butterfly Watching in Washington

• Start at the Pacific Science Center Butterfly House. A warm walk-through house lets kids see living tropical butterflies up close any time of year — the easiest way to spark interest.
• Look for Sara Orangetips in early spring. These small white-and-orange butterflies are among the first to appear, often in sunny meadows and along trails.
• Visit mountain meadows in mid-summer. Mount Spokane and the Cascade meadows bloom in July, drawing swallowtails, fritillaries, and blues.
• Download the iNaturalist app. Snap a photo for an instant ID — a fun way for kids to learn species and contribute to real science.

Frequently Asked Questions: Butterflies of Washington with Kids

Does Washington have a state butterfly?

Washington does not have an official state butterfly or insect, but the Western Tiger Swallowtail is one of its most beloved and recognizable — a large yellow butterfly with black tiger stripes seen along rivers and in city parks all summer. The Painted Lady and Sara Orangetip are other common favorites.

Where can families see butterflies most easily in Washington?

The Pacific Science Center Tropical Butterfly House in Seattle is the easiest and most reliable spot, with living butterflies up close year-round. Garden spots like the Bellevue Botanical Garden and Manito Park in Spokane are also excellent in summer.

When is the best time for butterfly watching in Washington?

Summer is the peak, when gardens and mountain meadows bloom and swallowtails, fritillaries, and blues are most active. Early spring brings the first Sara Orangetips. Sunny eastern Washington often has a longer butterfly season than the wetter western side. Warm, calm days are always best.

What is the largest butterfly in Washington?

The Western Tiger Swallowtail is among Washington's largest and most familiar butterflies — bright yellow with black tiger stripes and a wingspan up to four inches. It's commonly seen gliding along rivers, creeks, and city parks in June and July.

How can families attract butterflies to their Washington garden?

Plant native nectar flowers like aster, yarrow, and lupine, and add host plants such as willows for swallowtails and milkweed for Monarchs. Provide a sunny, sheltered spot with water, avoid pesticides, and butterflies will visit through the warm months.

Turn Your Washington Adventure Into a Real Butterfly Watching Experience

Give your kids a mission before you go. Our Butterflies of Washington Activity Book is a nature journal for ages 7 to 12 — with a butterfly tracker, fun facts about each species, butterfly category guides, drawing pages, games, and puzzles.

Or get all five Washington nature books together — the Washington Nature Explorer Series bundles the Birds, Butterflies, Leaves, Wildflowers, and Seashells of Washington activity books.

Also exploring Washington's nature? Read our family guides to Birds of Washington with Kids, Wildflowers of Washington with Kids, Leaves of Washington with Kids, and Seashelling in Washington with Kids.