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I hear that spring is trying its utmost to pop out in north america this week but my poor friends are still posting pictures of snow! oh dear, I really hope they get some lovely spring time soon!
Here in Ecuador we are in the rainy season which means it is either raining, threatening to rain or the day is oddly sunny. We took advantage of this lovely sunny day and the HUGE growth of marigolds (because of the rain) to play a bit.
With some Butterfly Art!
These are rather simple to make and you can basically decorate them with just about anything. I folded the card in half and cut half a shape out on the fold to open out into a butterfly shape.
Now here is where the fine motor skills come in. Using those glitter pens is tricky and with the help of her older brother (4) my toddler (20 months) was able to make her own butterfly and decorate it with glitter glue, which she landed up using a paint brush for, as well as googly eyes and various shiny stars.
We let the butterflies dry and what do you know.. it rained. So the next day we took our butterflies outside to play with. After studying the real ones the kids decided their little art butterflies would look very good and had work to do in the flowers as well.
Even my toddler thought this a fabulous plan from the 4 year old and proceeded to have her butterfly land on some rocket (arugula). It took a bit of balancing.
I think these flowers are rather pretty with their blue shiny butterfly friends.
Oh and the butterfly landed on her head. She had a good giggle at that one!
These are the real butterflies that were flying around!
We had so much fun with this combination activity. We practiced sharing and helping, fine motor skills, painting, gluing, patience with the rain 😉 and had some lovely sun while pretend playing!
Are you looking for some more awesome fine motor skill activities?
Take a look at what my co-hosts have been up to!
- Cupcake Liner Flower Craft: Fine Motor Art for Kids – from Still Playing School
- Easter Fine Motor Activities from Little Bins for Little Hands
- 12 Fine Motor Activities from School Time Snippets
- 10 Velcro Fine Motor Activities from Lalymom
- DIY Wind Car: Science Lesson & Fine Motor Fun from Stir the Wonder
Have a zero to two year old?
You will want to check out this amazing new ebook!
- it’s an amazing resource
- inspiring play ideas, but really practical
- great photos, step-by-step guides, all things you can easily try at home
- 25 ideas for babies and toddlers, and additional links to over 50 more activities
- great range of activities: classics, things with a twist, sensory, focus on play, backed up with lots of learning
- Click here to get your copy.
Borntotoddle says
All Butterflies are looking so real. Thanks for sharing this lovely idea.
Laura @ Lalymom says
Those are so cute and so fun looking! I love that they flew their butterflies around the real garden- and what gorgeous real butterflies you have out there! So special!!
Georgina @ Craftulate says
Love the butterflies on the real flowers!