Kid's activities

Watercolor butterfly craft

Posted on by Claire
Updated on
30
Dec

If you’re looking for a fun and colorful activity to do with kids, this butterfly craft is the perfect pick. Using just a few basic supplies like watercolor paints, paper, and craft sticks, you can create beautiful butterflies that are great for spring, summer, or anytime creativity strikes. Whether you’re crafting at home, in the classroom, or for a themed party, this easy project is sure to be a hit. Find more crafts for kids here.

Ad – This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through the links I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Why we love this watercolor butterfly craft

We love this butterfly craft because it’s simple, low-mess, and encourages creativity. Kids get to practice fine motor skills through cutting, painting, and assembling their butterflies, and every design turns out unique. It’s also a great way to introduce colors, patterns, and symmetry in a hands-on, playful way. Plus, the finished butterflies make adorable decorations or keepsakes.

Supplies you’ll need

You don’t need many supplies and hopefully you already have most of these.

Flat lay of supplies for a butterfly craft, including butterfly wing templates, a yellow craft stick, black pipe cleaners, watercolor paints, scissors, a pencil, and a bottle of Elmer's school glue. The items are arranged on a white background, ready for a kid-friendly art activity.

You might also enjoy this flower kindness craft.

A hand holds up a finished butterfly craft against a blurred green outdoor background. The butterfly is painted in blue and purple with black dots, has a yellow craft stick body, and black pipe cleaner antennae.
Yield: 1

Watercolour butterfly craft

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Difficulty: easy
No Ratings

Materials

  • Watercolor paper
  • Watercolor paints
  • Butterfly wing template (optional)
  • Pencil
  • Jumbo popsicle stick
  • Black pipe cleaner
  • Glue

Tools

  • Paintbrush
  • Scissors
  • Cup of water & paper towel (for painting)

Instructions

    1. Prepare the wings – Print a butterfly wing template (optional) and cut it out. Two black-outlined butterfly cutouts are placed on a watercolor-patterned pad, surrounded by crafting tools including scissors, a pencil, watercolor paints, and a bottle of glue.
    2. Trace the shape onto watercolor paper, or draw your own wings by hand. Two black-outlined butterfly templates are drawn on a white sheet of paper, with one completed butterfly cutout to the right and crafting supplies like glue and a black marker nearby.
    3. Paint the base layer – Add broad strokes of watercolor paint to the wings in any colors you like. Let this first layer dry completely. Two butterfly outlines are painted with watercolors on a white sheet, one in yellow and orange and the other in blue and purple, with a red-handled paintbrush resting nearby. A watercolor palette and additional butterfly templates surround the painting area
    4. Add the details – Once the paint is dry, use a smaller brush to add details like dots, lines, or patterns. Let it dry again. Close-up of a painted butterfly outline filled with blue and purple watercolor, featuring small black dots added as wing details. The top part of a second butterfly painted in yellow and orange is partially visible above it.
    5. After the paint has completely dried, carefully cut out the butterfly wings.
    6. Cut a jumbo popsicle stick in half to create the butterfly’s body. Glue the popsicle stick vertically in the center of the wings. Close-up of two completed watercolor butterfly crafts, each with a yellow-painted craft stick glued to the center as the body. The butterfly in the foreground is painted blue and purple with black dots, and a bottle of Elmer's glue is partially visible on the left.
    7. Next it's time to make the antennae. Cut a black pipe cleaner in half, curl the ends, and fold it in the middle to form antennae.
    8. Glue the folded pipe cleaner to the top back of the popsicle stick body. Let the glue dry before displaying your butterfly. Two finished butterfly crafts made from watercolor-painted paper, each with a yellow-painted craft stick for the body and black pipe cleaner antennae. The left butterfly is yellow and orange, while the right one is blue and purple with black spots.
© Claire
Project Type: art / Category: Kid's activities

You may also like to use this technique using these Printable Butterfly Bracelets.

I hope your kids enjoy this butterfly craft as much as mine!

Collage of three photos showing a finished watercolor butterfly craft made with painted paper wings, a yellow craft stick body, and black pipe cleaner antennae. The text in the center reads "Easy Watercolor Butterfly Craft" in bold black, blue, and purple lettering.

More bugs and insect activities for kids

Find a full guide to all my bug activities for preschool here.

If you have enjoyed creating butterfly art, you might like this sponge painted caterpillar

Find a fun build a bug playdough activity here.

Find loads of Spring crafts for preschoolers here.

Find some Spring Art Projects for Kids here.

We love this bug bingo printable.

Find out how to set up your own butterfly life cycle sensory bin.

Claire

Claire is a mum to two girls who love spending time outdoors on family walks, days out and camping trips in their family campervan. Find out more about us here

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Skip to Instructions