Bright Butterflies

Why

Surround yourself with summertime! Collect your own colorful, symmetrical butterflies!


Steps

1. Look at several pictures of butterflies or watch them if you can. What do you notice about these creatures? Butterflies are beautiful examples of bilateral symmetry. This means that they are the same on both sides, like perfect book-ends. Every spot on the left wing is mirrored by a matching spot on the right. Look carefully to find the other body parts of a butterfly.

2. Fold a sheet of dark construction paper in half. On one side, use Crayola® Gel Markers to draw one-half of a butterfly's body parts along the fold. Draw the butterfly's wings, attached to the body. Make them large and wide. Butterflies have two wing sections on each half of their body.

3. Use Crayola Scissors to cut out your butterfly. Unfold the paper.

4. Use your Gel Markers and Crayola Classic Fine Line Markers to draw colorful segments on the butterfly's wings and body. Leave dark, separating lines between them. For each shape you make on the left side, make a corresponding shape on the right.

5. Use a Crayola Glue Stick to mount your Bright Butterfly on a contrasting piece of construction paper. Make a butterfly collection!

Safety Guidelines

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

Related Crafts

Crafts

 

Supplies

crayola supplies
  • Fine Line Markers
  • Gel Markers
  • Glue Sticks
  • Blunt-Tip Scissors
  • Construction Paper

Where & When

"My daughter watched a monarch release last spring. She drew these butterflies for weeks."
Raphael Y., dad of 9-year-old.

"Instead of collecting such delicate creatures, we are learning to identify butterflies by their markings with this project."
Frank R., scout leader.


Interesting Info

Butterflies are insects. Like all insects, they have three body parts: A head, thorax, and abdomen. They also have six legs attached to the thorax, and two antennae (feelers) attached to their heads, as do all insects.