One way to tell if a butternut squash is ripe is to check its color. A ripe squash will have a deep beige or tan color, while an unripe one will be pale yellow or green. Think of it like checking if a banana is ripe - you want it to be a nice yellow, not green!
Another way to check is to look for a stem end that's dry and indented, which indicates that the squash has fully matured. And, just like how you'd check if a watermelon is ripe by thumping it, you can gently press the skin of the squash - if it's slightly soft, it's ready to go! But, be careful not to press too hard, or you might end up with a squished squash.
