Butterfly Art Using Watercolors

Inside: Butterfly art for kids using watercolors – these look beautiful hanging in the window during spring!

In April one of our themes is bugs and butterflies.

After buying some watercolor paper for the classroom, I decided to cut some into butterfly shapes for the art table.

I wanted something to hang in our window to welcome spring and these did not disappoint.

Watercolors, watercolor paper, paint brushes.

We also added stickers and some shimmery powder …. just because I felt like it.

Very springlike!

We’ve made lots of butterfly art during my years of teaching.

Some examples:

• Butterfly Prints
• Big Beautiful Butterflies
• Colorful Butterflies

This year I changed things up using watercolor paper and I just love how they turned out.

Supplies

• Watercolor paper
• Butterfly template (see below)
• Liquid watercolors
• Paintbrushes
• Hole punch
• String, yarn or ribbon for hanging

Optional

We also used:

• Circle stickers
• Mica powder
• Paint droppers
• Trays
• Crayons

Preparation

Cut butterfly shapes from watercolor paper.

I used the butterfly color page from our bugs and insects packet but I also have a free butterfly page in this packet.

Pour watercolors into cups and dilute with desired amount of water.

I like to place everything on trays to contain the drips.

Set Up

Place trays on the table, along with containers of watercolors, stickers, and crayons (if using).

I also placed the book Butterfly, Butterfly – propped open – in an acrylic stand as a visual. (We had read the book at circle time that same week.)

Watch: The Easiest Ways to Manage the Art Center

The Activity

Invite your children to create colorful butterflies!

They can use any of the materials you have provided.

I decided to use the Mica powder because I had seen some Instagram accounts that shared art using it.

I loved the very slight shimmer it provided.

I sprinkled the powder into the watercolors before the children began painting.

You can also shake some on top of the butterfly after it’s painted, too.

I added assorted droppers in case anyone wanted to apply the paint that way rather than using brushes.

We had been doing a lot with droppers at the time and the children enjoyed using them.

When Finished

When the children are finished painted and decorating their butterflies, let them dry completely.

Then, use a hole punch to place a hole at the top of the butterfly.

Loop string, yarn, or ribbon through the hole and then hang in the classroom.

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