Blotto Butterflies Craft Activity

Working on your sitting and standing skills can be fun while making a blotto butterfly!

These stunning butterflies are easy to make. Decorate your classroom or let your kids take them proudly home!

You will need:

• Sturdy paper
• Paint
• Brushes or spoons
• Scissors
• Tools to blot with (optional): pencils, spools...

1. Fold a sturdy piece of paper in half.
2. Open it, and add dabs of paint on one half of the paper.
   Experiment with various color combinations and patterns.
   Make sure some paint is near the fold.
   Add black to the center fold to make the butterfly's body and feelers.
   Body and feelers can also be cut out of black paper or fashioned out of pipe cleaners and added later.
3. Refold and blot.
   The child will enjoy the feel of squishy paint through the paper (without getting all messy!)
   Use fingers, fingernails, hands or fists.
   Using a tool adds texture and lines to the pattern. Experiment with things the child can grasp.
   If the utensil is sharp (pencils, spools etc) a tapping action will be less likely to tear the paper.
   Soft utensils (sponges, mouth swabs etc) will allow a scrubbing motion.
4. Now open your paper for the surprise!
5. Let it dry. Refold and cut out a butterfly shape.
   Cut a basic heart shape; and take a few snips out of the edge to create a butterfly (see first picture).
6. Unfold your finished butterfly.
7. If needed, add a body and feelers cut from black paper or fashioned out of pipe cleaners.
8. Mount your butterfly on the wall or window, or take it home!

Extra Credit

This "Blotto" idea has many possibilities with its colorful abstract patterns for flowers, trees, insects, animals, masks, or imaginary creatures.

• A series of animal "Blottos" can make a totem pole.
• Blot a colorful pattern on a long narrow paper. Make it into a colorful crown to wear.
• Small butterflies can perch on a bouquet of flowers or be hung in a mobile.