We love to welcome spring with butterfly activities! First, we learn about the lifecycle of the butterfly with our live caterpillars, watching them go through the process of turning into butterflies. Then, we fill our classroom with creative butterfly art! Toddlers love all the action that takes place while rolling different colors of paint on a mirror to make butterfly prints. And, it’s easy to put together!
Colorful Butterflies Using Q-Tips Butterflies Painted with Marbles Big Butterfly Art
For this particular activity, I decided to use rollers since my students have had a lot of fun with them during previous art activities. We love using paint rollers because they encourage the entire arm (and shoulder!) to move. Roller painting also allows the children to use big motions, something young children love to make. I chose to use our playdough mirrors to roll the paint on because they are slick and it’s fun to watch the different colors mix together on them. However, if you don’t have mirrors, you can roll the paint on smooth trays. CLICK HERE for more butterfly activities!
Supplies for this Butterfly Art
Butterfly printable (we used this one and reduced it a bit in size to fit an 8.5 x 11 inch paper) Assorted tempera paint (I used bright neon paint, but that is optional) White 8.5 x 11 paper (I like to use heavier cardstock paper) Paint rollers (we like brayers and rollers) Mirrors or trays
Preparation
Make enough copies of the butterflies so that each child has one. Cut away the background so that you have a butterfly shape.
Set Up
Place mirrors or trays on table and add rollers. Squirt different colors of paint on the mirrors or trays. Have paper butterflies nearby. Watch: How I Manage Our Art Table
There really is no right or wrong way to do this. Just roll!
Gently pat the paper and then lift the paper butterfly. Notice all the colors on the butterfly!
Let butterflies dry thoroughly and hang!
Books
Let’s Count Butterflies Butterfly Butterfly: A Book of Colors The Very Hungry Caterpillar Ten Wriggly Wiggly Caterpillars Caterpillar to Butterfly Little Butterfly
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