Butterfly Art Activity for Preschoolers

Create beautiful symmetrical prints with this colorful butterfly art activity that blends painting, observation, and a little science magic. It’s the perfect combo of fun and learning for preschoolers!

Table of Contents:

1. This butterfly art activity is like the traditional blotter art…but with a twist!
2. Why you need to try this butterfly art activity
3. Materials
4. Directions
5. 10 fun ways to use your butterfly creations
6. Learning through color and symmetry though this butterfly art activity for preschoolers
7. Let’s talk about those Q-tips
8. Frequently Asked Questions

View more

This butterfly art activity is like the traditional blotter art…but with a twist!

This butterfly art activity puts a fresh spin on the traditional blotter art project.

You know the one—fold a piece of paper in half, squeeze some paint on one side, then press and open to reveal a symmetrical design.

Well, this one’s got a few upgrades that take it to a whole new level.

First, kids look at real butterfly photos, turning this into an observation and art experience all in one.

Second, instead of cutting out the butterfly after the paint dries, we start with the butterfly shape, which makes the whole thing feel more intentional (and way more magical!).

It’s like the classic version got a preschool-friendly, science-meets-art makeover!

Why you need to try this butterfly art activity

This project isn’t just about making something pretty—it’s a full-on creative adventure in observation, color play, and symmetry.

Kids take their time studying real butterflies, noticing all the tiny details that make each one unique.

Then, with just a few dabs of paint and a quick fold, they get to reveal their own symmetrical butterfly print—like magic on paper!

It’s the perfect hands-on addition to any preschool butterfly theme or insect theme art exploration.

🦋 We LOVE insect activities! Don’t miss these:

• Insect Garden Play Dough
• Frozen Oobleck with Insects
• Insect Ice Excavation
• Cardboard Caterpillar Craft

Materials

Friends Art Lab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.

• Free printable butterfly photos
• Black paper
• Scissors
• Stapler
• Q-tips
• Paint – we used acrylic paint as it’s the most opaque
• Plate for paint

Directions

1. Print out the free printable butterfly photos.
2. Stack a few sheets of black paper underneath each photo. (Tip: Staple the edges of the stack to keep them secure while cutting.)
3. Cut around the butterfly shape to create multiple butterfly outlines at once.
4. Fold each butterfly in half to create a clean center line.
5. Invite your child to look closely at one butterfly photo.
6. Using a Q-tip dipped in paint, have them decorate just one wing of the paper butterfly.
7. When ready, fold the butterfly in half and press gently.
8. Open it up to reveal your symmetrical butterfly art print!

10 fun ways to use your butterfly creations

• Create a butterfly banner to hang across the classroom or living room.
• Attach to craft sticks and turn them into puppets.
• Make a butterfly mobile by stringing several from an embroidery hoop.
• Add them to a spring bulletin board display.
• Use in a preschool butterfly theme unit for dramatic play.

Learning through color and symmetry though this butterfly art activity for preschoolers

This butterfly art activity is a sneaky way to introduce concepts from color theory and visual design.

Children experiment with mixing colors, placing dots, and noticing how one side mirrors the other.

They learn that symmetrical butterfly art isn’t just beautiful—it’s patterned, purposeful, and grounded in nature.

It’s an especially fun conversation starter for insect theme art lessons or spring nature walks.

Let’s talk about those Q-tips

We love using Q-tips for this because they’re small, easy to grip, and give kids great control for dot work.

You absolutely can use paintbrushes, and just make sure they’re small so kids can capture the details of butterfly wings.

You can even set out a tray with different sized dots or patterns to try before going onto the butterfly outlines.

Frequently Asked Questions