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Butterfly fold painting

Paint blobs on 1 side, fold, press, open, and there's a butterfly with matching wings.

Butterfly fold painting
LevelBeginner
AgesAges 2 to 3
Time15 minutes plus drying
Cost$0 to $3
SpringRainy day

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Tools

How to make it

Safety

Use paint labeled washable and non-toxic (look for the AP seal), and wipe hands before snack time.

  1. Step 1: Fold and cut
    1

    Fold and cut

    Grown-up step: Fold paper in half and cut a butterfly shape with the fold in the middle.

  2. Step 2: Open it up
    2

    Open it up

    Unfold it and lay it flat.

  3. Step 3: Add blobs
    3

    Add blobs

    Let your toddler squeeze or dab blobs on 1 wing only.

  4. Step 4: Fold it over
    4

    Fold it over

    Close it. Let them rub and pat the paper hard.

  5. Step 5: Open the surprise
    5

    Open the surprise

    Peel it open together. Both wings match.

  6. Step 6: Draw a body
    6

    Draw a body

    Draw a body down the fold once dry.

Edie's tip

Thick blobs work better than thin paint. It squishes into the other side.

Written by the DIY Project team. How we check · Report a mistake

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