Colorful Butterfly

Materials

• coffee filters
• paper towels
• large aluminum pans
• liquid water color or food coloring
• containers for the colors
• droppers
• spray bottles filled with water

Background Information

Butterfly wings are covered with brightly colored powdery scales. Their color helps them to find a mate, camouflage, or warn predators that they may be harmful if eaten. Often the undersides of the wings are differently colored than the open wings.

Activity

Place paper towels on table tops or in aluminum pans. Set out the paints and droppers. Show the children how to fill their dropper with color. Each child will need a coffee filter butterfly. Older children may want to create their own or trace around a pattern. The younger children can use pre-cut or commercially produced butterflies. The children place their butterfly on the paper towels and drop color onto the butterfly wings. They should not completely cover their wings. Then they spray the wings with water and watch the colors blend and change. The butterflies will need to dry overnight and can then be placed in a window as a sun catcher.