Fragile Butterfly
Show that you know butterfly anatomy—and line symmetry! Sculpt a clay butterfly that is fragile, beautiful, and realistic.
1. Find out about butterfly life cycles and anatomy. Choose one species to make, or imagine your own colorful creature. Will your butterfly be flying, resting, or getting ready to take off? With Crayola® Air-Dry Clay, you can pose your butterfly any way you wish.
2. On a clean, dry surface, use your fingers or a rolling pin to flatten a tangerine-size ball of clay. Cut out two identical wings with a safe tool such as a craft stick or clean yogurt cup lid.
3. Roll a small piece of clay for the body. Lightly scratch the edges of where the wings and body will meet with a toothpick. Dampen areas with a slightly wet finger and press together. Use the same technique make and attach antennae and other body parts.
4. If you like, embellish your butterfly with small bits of clay. Etch the wings with a toothpick. Add a second set of wings to make your butterfly look like it is flying. Smooth out any rough areas with a damp finger. Air-dry your butterfly for at least 48 hours.
5. Cover your art table with newspaper. Carefully paint your butterfly with Crayola Tempera Paint and Brushes. Air-dry each color and rinse your brushes before changing to another color.
6. Handle your butterfly sculptures with care! They are fragile just like real ones. Why not create a colorful science display for other classes in your school to enjoy?
Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project. Observe children closely and intervene as necessary to prevent potential safety problems and ensure appropriate use of arts and crafts materials. Some craft items, particularly beads and buttons, are potential choking hazards for young children. Avoid use of such small parts with children younger than 3 years. Craft items such as scissors, push pins and chenille sticks may have sharp points or edges. Avoid use of materials with sharp points by children younger than 4 years. Read all manufacturers' safety warnings before using arts and craft supplies.
Crayola Modeling Materials including Crayola Model Magic®, and Model Magic Fusion™, Crayola Air-Dry Clay, and Crayola Dough—
- Keep away from open flames. Do not use to make candleholders, hot plates, trivets, or other similar objects that will be used or placed near fire and other heat sources.
- Do not put in an oven, microwave, or kiln.
- Do not make into vessels/containers that will hold unpackaged food.
- The use of modeling material to make items that look like food is discouraged for children younger than age 5 to avoid their confusion with real food.
- Unless sealed with a water-resistant glaze, do not make projects exposed to or immersed in water, such as boats or outdoor bird feeders. They would disintegrate when exposed to moisture.
- Crayola Dough—contains gluten (wheat flour) as an ingredient.
- Crayola Air-Dry Clay, Crayola Model Magic and Model Magic Fusion are gluten-free. However, they are produced on the same machinery as Crayola Dough which does contain gluten. Although the machines are cleaned prior to the start of each production run, there is a slight possibility that trace amounts of gluten from Crayola Dough may be present in the other modeling compound products. For information regarding specific ingredients or allergic concerns, please call our Consumer Affairs department at 1-800-272-9652 weekdays between 9 AM and 4 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Crayola Washable Paints—Not for use as body/face paint.
Modeling Tools—Use the least dangerous point or edge sufficient to do the job. For example, craft sticks, plastic knives and forks, and cookie cutters can cut or carve modeling materials.
Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points
- Talk about the various wing patterns and why butterflies are different colors. What other animals or insects have built-in camouflage?
- Butterflies are found in many famous paintings. View Salvador Dali’s Paysage Au Papillions or Vincent van Gogh’s Butterflies and Poppies. Use these to inspire your own creativity.
- Do you have a butterfly garden in your area? Visit it or observe butterflies in their natural habitats.
- Assessment: Ask students to label and correctly spell butterfly body parts and life cycles. Determine that all major parts are represented accurately. Note the creative use of color in decorating the butterfly.
Life-Like Replicas: Fish
Turkey Tales
Cave Clues
