AMES EVENTS FIELD GUIDE
Butterfly Blizzard: A Morning Release in Reiman Gardens’ Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing
A short, guided morning event in Ames where visitors release captive butterflies, learn species ID, receive a personalized certificate, and enjoy a craft station—this guide explains the flow, timing, and booking requirements.
Butterfly Blizzard: A Morning Release in Reiman Gardens’ Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing.
Step inside Reiman Gardens for a seasonal, indoor spectacle: a butterfly blizzard in the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing where participants release their own butterflies, learn about each species, receive a personalized certificate, and can take part in a related craft in a tropical garden setting during a morning event.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Release Your Own Butterfly
Guests choose how many butterflies to release (each butterfly comes in its own container) and are guided through proper release techniques in the indoor butterfly wing.
Species ID and a Personalized Certificate
Participants learn about the species they release and leave with a certificate listing their names and the species they released.
Craft Station and Morning Memories
A butterfly-related craft station is available for participants, extending the hands-on experience and creating keepsakes to accompany the release memory.
What the day feels like
What the morning feels like
This is an intimate, guided morning at Reiman Gardens: arrive during the early window, prepare your chosen butterflies in their individual containers, learn a bit about each species, release them inside the tropical Butterfly Wing, and then linger at a craft table and collect a certificate before the wing opens to the public.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this morning is best for—and who should consider alternatives.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This is a morning event on the listed date; participants may arrive between 7:30 and 8:45 AM, the event runs through 9:00 AM, and the craft station remains available until 9:30 AM.
Important: register for the number of participants AND the total number of butterflies your party will release; each booking is limited to a maximum of five butterflies.
The release and activities take place inside Reiman Gardens’ Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing in Ames—plan to arrive within the stated check-in window so releases are completed before the wing opens to the public.
Bring any confirmation or booking details and be prepared to state how many butterflies your party will release at check-in.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Do I need to register for this event?
Yes. You must register for the number of participants and the total number of butterflies your party wishes to release.
How many butterflies can our group release?
Bookings are limited to a maximum of five butterflies per group.
When should we arrive?
Participants may arrive anytime between 7:30 and 8:45 AM; arriving by 8:30 is suggested since the Butterfly Wing opens to the public at 9:00 AM.
Will butterflies still be released after 9:00 AM?
No. Butterflies will not be released when the Butterfly Wing opens to the public at 9:00 AM.
Is there any activity after the releases?
Yes. A butterfly-related craft station is available and remains out until 9:30 AM, and participants receive a certificate listing names and species released.
Is the event appropriate for children?
The event is listed for all ages but requires adult accompaniment for younger participants.