Encourage artistic expression, nature exploration, and creative play in your preschool classroom! This fun art project allows the young child to explore the art processes of painting while making an exciting costume for dramatic play experiences. This lesson plan can be altered to fit the specific ages or needs of your classroom. Additionally, the butterfly wings can also be turned into bug or bird wings for another science oriented nature exploration.
Lesson Objectives for the Butterfly Wing Art Activity
- Increase fine motor skills
- Develop aesthetic awareness
- Explore the art process of painting
- Discover color mixing techniques with paint
- Observe and investigate the natural world/environment
- Connect art and science exploration
- Build vocabulary skills
- Following steps in a sequence
Grade/ Age Level
Ages four and up.
Materials Needed to Create Butterfly Wings
- Large sheets of poster board
- Tempera paints in the primary colors plus white
- Large paint brushes.
- Hole punch.
- Ribbon
- Scissors
Steps to Create Butterfly Wings
Before beginning this art activity, take your class outside to observe and discover nature. Look at bugs, butterflies, and birds. Ask questions about what colors can be found or what shapes the children see. If you do not see any butterflies on your outdoor nature experience, try reading a book (either fiction or non-fiction) about butterflies. Make sure that there are lots of colorful illustrations or photographs for the children to view.
Pre-planning Steps:
Cut large wing shapes from the poster board (two per child). Using a hole punch, punch three holes along the side (in the middle) of each wing. Hold each pair of wings together to ensure that the holes are on the correct sides and that the holes match up. Set out paint trays or palettes with the three primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and white tempera paints.
Process Steps:
- Invite the children to paint one side of each wing. Explain how by mixing the primary colors (and white) they can create new colors (i.e., red and blue make purple or red and white make pink). Label each wing with the child’s name, and set aside to dry.
- After the wings are dry, turn them over and ask the children to paint the opposite side. Set aside to dry.
- Once both sides of both wings are dry demonstrate to the children how to sew the wings together using the ribbon. Each child should thread the ribbon through the middle hole on both wings. This can be secured with a knot (you may need to assist).
- Thread another ribbon through the remaining two holes, one ribbon per one wing. These will be used to hold the wings onto the child. You will need to help fit the wings onto each child’s arms. Once properly fit, tie the ribbon in a knot. Make sure not to make the ribbon too tight or too loose.
Lesson Wrap Up for the Butterfly Wing Activity
Ask the children some questions about their art making experience. Examples include:
- What was the most fun?
- What was difficult?
- What colors did you create?
- How did you make new colors?
Enrichment Activities for the Butterfly Wing Activity
Activity extenders include:
- Dramatic play: Have a butterfly play wearing the newly made costumes.
- Science: Read about and observe butterflies and bugs.
- Music and movement: Have a musical butterfly dance party.
The butterfly wing art activity lends itself to multiple curricular areas. Combining art, science, and dramatic play, this fun preschool project can brighten the typical classroom day.
