Last Updated on March 31, 2025 by Sheryl Cooper
Inside: Add some extra fine motor fun with this toddler butterfly art. Download the free printable, paint with Q-Tips, and attach to a clothespin for a fun spring decoration!
As we enter our 7th month with our 2 year olds, they are much more engaged in any activity that we provide.
Especially when it comes to painting.
They love to paint and often want to create several pieces!
I kept that in mind when I came up with this toddler butterfly art activity.
I wanted butterflies that we could attach to our classroom tree, so I created a butterfly printable that can easily be attached to a clothespin and then clipped to the tree.
But even if you don’t have a classroom tree, these butterflies could clip on other things in your classroom or home.
Oh, and there’s also some good fine motor going on, as we used Q-Tips instead of paint brushes.
Scroll down to find the link to the free printable butterfly template!
More to read: 15+ Butterfly Activities
Colorful Toddler Butterfly Art
What we used:
- Washable tempera paint
- Q-Tips Cotton Swabs
- Chenille Stems
- Clothespins
- Glue
- Butterfly printable (scroll down to find the link)
Before starting this activity, I read the book Butterfly, Butterfly: A Book of Colors. As Lucy is searching for a butterfly, she comes across many other creatures in her garden. Our children loved telling me what each creature was before we turned the pages. When Lucy finally sees the butterfly, we come to a page that shows a big, beautiful butterfly.
I read this book before we settled down at the art table to make our butterflies, so it was more meaningful to the children.
I provided each child with a small container of assorted paint, a Q-Tip, and a butterfly printable.
The children then painting their butterflies using the Q-Tip.
Once finished, I showed them how to fold their butterfly and press down on the paper, and then open it up again.
We compared our butterflies to Lucy’s big colorful butterfly!
I cut chenille stems in half, one for each child.
I folded that chenille stem and twisted the ends.
The children selected what color chenille stem (antennae) they wanted.
We glued the butterfly printable and the antennae on the butterfly and they were finished!
Click on the box below for the free printable:
Check this out: Our classroom set up for the butterfly theme!
Bugs and Butterfly Activity Plans
I’m so excited to be one of the authors of these hands-on activities for toddlers and for preschoolers!
Easy to follow plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.
Note: This is a digital product. Links to downloads will be sent to you after purchase!
For more information, click on the graphics below:
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Where did you get the pretend magnifying glasses with the close up picture of the butterfly?
If I’m understanding correctly, they are actually little slide books that show details of caterpillars and butterflies.
I love this idea, I can add them to our ‘growing window’