Butterfly Fine Motor Activity

Inside: Put together a butterfly fine motor activity for preschoolers that involves threading beads, using droppers, and coloring!

Last year I was asked if I could add more activities for older preschoolers, so I took on that challenge.

I asked our pre-kindergarten and kinder-prep classes if they could help me document what they do in their classroom and they happily agreed.

For this particular activity, I was actually subbing in the pre-kindergarten classroom.

Ms. Sarah asked me if I could come up with an art activity during their bugs and butterflies theme, so I came up with an idea that would challenge their fine motor skills.

I had fun coming up with this idea and the pre-kinder students loved the activity.

And their butterflies were so colorful!

Butterfly Fine Motor Activity for Preschoolers

I will be honest. I loved putting together this activity for the kinder-prep class because I could add more steps than I can do with my two and three year olds.

It was fun being able to add a bit more!

However, I do know some of my own students could handle some of these steps.

Threading the beads might be a bit of a challenge for the two year olds, not to mention a choking issue, but three year olds might be able to handle it.

For younger preschoolers and toddlers, try these simpler watercolor butterflies.

The kinder-prep class was designed for children who could have gone to kindergarten, but their parents decided to give them another year of preschool.

I knew they could handle each step of this with little help.

Supplies

• Watercolor paper
• Liquid watercolors
• Crayons
• Paint brushes and/or paint droppers
• Chenille stems
• Pony beads
• Trays
• Hole punch
• Scissors

Preparation

Cut watercolor paper into butterfly shapes.

I used the butterfly from our Bugs & Insects packet as a template.

Punch a hole at the top of each butterfly.

Pour beads into containers.

Pour the liquid watercolor into containers, diluting with water to desired strength.

Set Up

Place a butterfly at each spot as well as the beads, watercolors, crayons, and assorted chenille stems.

Also provide paint brushes and/or the paint droppers.

The Activity

Have the children select what color chenille stem they want.

Thread it through the hold and twist at the middle so that the chenille stem is set in place.

Next, apply the watercolor using the brushes and/or paint droppers.

You will want to make sure the butterflies are on a tray at this point to catch any drips from the watercolors.

More Butterfly Activities

• Butterfly Prints
• Colorful Butterflies
• Butterfly Feeders