I love creating butterfly art this time of year.  This Reggio inspired butterfly art project for kids is great for ages 4 and up.  In case your unfamiliar with the Reggio approach to learning, here is a good Reggio starting point.  We used an old box frame found at a thrift store and paint markers to create beautiful butterfly art for my daughter’s room.  My girls are too young for the paint markers but they were able to help with the collage we made for the background.  Here’s how we did it.

First, I downloaded a pretty image of a butterfly from butterflyutopia.com.  I placed it between the clear plastic of the frame and the cardboard insert.  I traced the butterfly with different paint markers.  Paint markers are so much fun! I’ve used them for tons of projects, including shrinky dinks, vases and washer necklaces.  Though, they are pretty stinky, so it’s best to use them outside where there is lots of ventilation.  This project can be done with sharpies as well.

Kids LOVE to trace real objects.  I used to do this all the time when I taught kindergarten, using transparency paper.  It was such a big hit, especially when we studied penguins.  The kids felt so empowered when their drawings looked realistic.  It was a real confidence booster, especially for those kids who have a harder time with free hand drawing.  I used this technique for self portrait shadow boxes, my all time favorite art project for kids.

Once I completed painting in the butterfly, Gigi helped me collage the cardboard insert with blue, white and black tissue paper shapes.  These can be found at most party stores and craft supply stores.  You can easily cut your own from large tissue paper as well.  These were precut.  She glued the shapes to the cardboard using a paintbrush and glue mixed with a little bit of water.  Gigi is not three yet, so she was done after a few shapes.  I helped fill the whole background.  Older kids will have more patience with this step.  You could also just cover the cardboard with one big piece of tissue paper or even color it.  After drying, simply place the plastic back over the cardboard and your butterfly art is complete.  We love ours.  Gigi is super proud of it and claims she made the butterfly too.  Someday she will.  These kids grow up so fast.  Have fun!