Butterfly Symmetry Art Project Spring Butterfly Symmetrical Drawing Art Activity
Instant digital download · Secure checkout with Payhip
Selected reviews from TPT
★★★★★Great activity to bring symmetry to life in our classroom.. the kids really enjoyed it and they made a great colorful addition to our classroom :)
Jaclyn M. · May 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★¡Me encanta este recurso! ¡Qué gran manera de incorporar el arte en la geometría! ¡Gracias por compartir!
Kayla M. · March 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Thanks, your document is complete, i'll create different butterfly shapes since children love to have choices.
Kathleen V. · August 2016 · TPT review
Rated by 78 teachers on TPT (see every rating on TPT). These are selected 4- and 5-star written reviews by teachers on TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers), shown word for word. TPT's newer 4-point scale ("Extremely satisfied" = 4) is converted to stars.
This Butterfly Symmetry Art Project teaches symmetry through a bright spring butterfly. Butterflies are naturally symmetrical, which makes them a great subject for exploring balance, mirrored shapes and pattern design.
Students use symmetrical drawing techniques to design both sides of their butterfly so the wings mirror each other, practicing shapes, outlining and decorative patterns along the way. It is made for elementary art classes, classroom teachers bringing art into science or spring units, homeschool art and substitute plans, and the finished butterflies make a colorful spring display.
WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE)
- Step-by-Step Butterfly Symmetry Drawing Tutorial
- Visual Instruction Pages showing how to build the butterfly shape with symmetrical design
- Teacher Lesson Plan with materials, teaching ideas and how to introduce the project
- Teacher Guidance Pages for demonstrating step by step
- Large Example Artwork Page
- Student-Friendly Tutorial Pages for following along independently
- Printable Art Rubric for artwork and participation
WHAT STUDENTS LEARN
Students practice understanding symmetry and mirrored shapes, building a drawing step by step, designing creative patterns and decorative wings, outlining and coloring, and creating a bold spring composition. Because the butterfly is built gradually through clear steps, students feel confident as they work.
Project the tutorial pages, demonstrate them live, or print them for students to follow during the lesson.
FAQ
Who can use this resource?
Classroom teachers, homeschool educators, art teachers and substitute teachers looking for a symmetry-based art lesson.
How do I use it in my classroom?
Project the step-by-step drawing tutorial while you demonstrate, or print the guide pages so students can follow along.
How long does it take?
Most classes complete it in 2 to 3 class periods, depending on student age, class length, skill level and time spent decorating the wings.
Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist and educator who creates art lessons and creative resources for teachers, homeschool families and art educators around the world. She has been featured on NBC LX News and was the featured educator on the cover of OCO Magazine (October 2025 edition). She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.
TERMS OF USE
Copyright © Ms Artastic. All rights reserved.
YOU MAY: use this resource in a single classroom as the purchasing teacher. Other teachers who would like to use it can purchase additional licenses.
YOU MAY NOT: share or distribute it, or upload it to shared drives or online platforms others can access.
Thank you for supporting independent teacher creators.
Sincerely,
Ms Artastic
ALL TEACHER REVIEWS (78)
★★★★★ “The butterflies came out beautiful!” Samantha A.
★★★★★ “These turned out great. Thank you for your creative ideas :)” TchrBrowne
★★★★★ “My students enjoyed creating butterflies. They look great in my classroom. Thanks!” adrienne T.
★★★★★ “Great resource to use for a cross curricular activity.” Samantha P.
★★★★★ “Very fun and pretty. I thought the kids would have trouble drawing it, but they did great! Thank you.” Kelley H.
★★★★★ “Great activity to bring symmetry to life in our classroom.. the kids really enjoyed it and they made a great colorful addition to our classroom :)” Jaclyn M.
★★★★★ “Wonderful learning packet! I paired with habitats :)” Taylor M.
★★★★★ “My students loved making these butterflies. Easy to follow and fun learning!!” Karen M.
★★★★★ “Great step-by-step directions. My students loved this project and they turned out beautiful.” The H.
★★★★★ “I like that this lesson includes background information for students and step by step directions” Mary W.
★★★★★ “Really well thought out lesson, can be used with or without the templates, but this really teaches symmetry!” Laura G.
★★★★★ “Amazing symmetry lesson and craft activity!” Kristy D.
Pairs Well With
More selected reviews from TPT
★★★★★This was a great resource for my first grade classroom! It was easy to use, engaging for my students, and required very little prep. My students enjoyed the activities, and they provided meaningful practice. Thank you for creating such a helpful resource!
Kim A. · August 2026 · TPT review
★★★★★Students were excited and engaged during this lesson.
Mike D. · July 2026 · TPT review
★★★★★I used this with my symmetry unit and my students enjoyed it. They came out adorable.
Kristin L. · April 2026 · TPT review
★★★★★students enjoyed the project in this resource amd the result that it produced
Madison P. · June 2025 · TPT review
★★★★★This is a great addition to my symmetry unit. Thanks so much!
Amy Chapman · April 2025 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource! It was extremely beneficial to my 4th-graders!
Jessica G. · March 2025 · TPT review
★★★★★This was great for accomplishing two things at once- teaching symmetry and art. Kids enjoyed it and their products were pretty decent.
Kimberly K. · September 2024 · TPT review
★★★★★This was a fun spring art activity, the students enjoyed.
Courtney S. · September 2023 · TPT review
★★★★★This is such a helpful resource! Thank you so much!
Mrs. Brannan's Class · August 2023 · TPT review
★★★★★My students were so successful in creating symmetrical butterflies - they turned out amazingly! Thank you!
Justine R. · February 2023 · TPT review
★★★★★Well thought out, easy to use, and engaging for students.
Danette A. · October 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★So fun!
Dog Gone Good Teaching · September 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★Fun and engaging!
Marcie A. · August 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★The students loved this activity!
TheFrizzyHairedTeacher · August 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★My students loved being able to combine art and math. They enjoyed making their own butterflies.
Laura W. · July 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource!
Laura L. · June 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you!
Bridgett Maticic · March 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★Thanks
Nancy B. · January 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★My kids enjoyed creating butterflies with this lesson. It also worked perfectly because they were learning about animal lifecycles and metamorphosis as well.
Jennifer Lee Dragotta · January 2022 · TPT review
★★★★★Amazing resource.
Dawn W. · September 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Easy to use!!
Paawanpreet T. · August 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★I used this resource during distance learning when we were learning about symmetry in math. The students loved it as it felt like they weren't doing math but they were creating art.
Aline K. · August 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★I love this activity. I have used it for 3 years with my 4/5th graders and they always turn out amazing. This is a fun and engaging way to teach symmetry and to get the lesson across before the state testing. The students have fun while learning a useful math skill.
Mary B. · July 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★This was a great way to practice symmetry with my remote fourth graders. They really enjoyed this as a nontraditional assessment. Thank you! :)
Kelly Whittier · June 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★My kids really enjoyed this. Thanks
Patricia E. · May 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★A little hard for my second graders but we had fun!
Doreen M. · May 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Fun and engaging!
Danielle E. · May 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★My kids loved making the butterflies!
Peggy K. · May 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Fun way to review symmetry.
angela S. · May 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★My students really enjoyed this project while we were learning about symmetry.
Jill F. · April 2021 · TPT review
★★★★★Great activity that combines art with math skills!
Michaela White · November 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource!
Tara B. · September 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you so much for this wonderful resource!
Stanley C. · July 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Very good activity. I used it at the end of my symmetry unit. The children enjoyed it.
Ginette F. · July 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Fun, easy prep.
Donna Good · June 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★My students really enjoyed doing this activity. We finished it right before schools closed.
Julene S. · June 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Gorgeous activity. Thank you!
Emily Andersonnnn · March 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★Great!
Crystal H. · March 2020 · TPT review
★★★★★The butterflies came out beautiful!
Samantha A. · October 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★These turned out great. Thank you for your creative ideas :)
TchrBrowne · August 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource!
Michelle B. · August 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Fun Project!
Jackie B. · August 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you!
Brenda H. · July 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Kids loved this
Andrea P. · June 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★great introduction activity
annette S. · May 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★My students enjoyed creating butterflies. They look great in my classroom. Thanks!
adrienne T. · May 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Students loved this! Thank you!
Student-Centered Teacher · April 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource to use for a cross curricular activity.
Samantha P. · April 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Very fun and pretty. I thought the kids would have trouble drawing it, but they did great! Thank you.
Kelley H. · April 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★great!
Stephanie K. · March 2019 · TPT review
★★★★★Good resource.
Tanya K. · November 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Great, thank you!
Ben Johnson · August 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Wonderful learning packet! I paired with habitats :)
Taylor M. · May 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★My favorite symmetry activity!!
Beth S. · May 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★My students loved making these butterflies. Easy to follow and fun learning!!
Karen M. · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★The students enjoyed this activity.
Megan R. · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★thank you!
Christie Gonzales · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Awesome! Kids love it!
Blake L. · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Great step-by-step directions. My students loved this project and they turned out beautiful.
The Honey Bunch · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource
Marcy B. · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Can't wait to try this with my symmetry lesson!
Kim P. · April 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Extremely comprehensive! Thanks!
Kate M. · February 2018 · TPT review
★★★★★Thanks!
Jodie W. · October 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Love It
Janice J. · August 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Great resource! Thank you!
Ms Boyers Cabin · July 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Looks cute! Thanks!
Amy F. · July 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★spring Perfect for
Nancy G. · May 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Nice lesson! Thank You!
Jill D. · May 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Looks great! I'm looking forward to using it in my classroom!
Ronda W. · May 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★I like that this lesson includes background information for students and step by step directions
Mary W. · April 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Thank you
Sally C. · January 2017 · TPT review
★★★★★Really well thought out lesson, can be used with or without the templates, but this really teaches symmetry!
Laura G. · August 2016 · TPT review
★★★★★Amazing symmetry lesson and craft activity!
Kristy D. · May 2016 · TPT review
★★★★★Great activity for spring
Pamela D. · April 2016 · TPT review
Rated by 78 teachers on TPT (see every rating on TPT). These are selected 4- and 5-star written reviews by teachers on TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers), shown word for word. TPT's newer 4-point scale ("Extremely satisfied" = 4) is converted to stars.
Love this resource? Let me know