Watercolor Butterfly from Handprints

Turn your children’s watercolor artwork into butterflies by tracing their hands. It is a beautiful way to capture their work and a great craft for spring. This craft could be done by all the kids, ages 2,4 and 5. That’s a winning craft to me. I’m sure your kids will love it as much as my kids did.

The first step is quite simple. Paint. Watercolors are so easy. We don’t need to keep our craft time complicated, and today was a great reminder to me about that. They had so much fun just painting. Their minds don’t limit themselves creatively like we often do. I wish I didn’t have such a self-edit filter. It’s beautiful to watch them be completely satisfied with their work – not analyzing it – just painting.

Wait for your child’s artwork to dry. Once dry, you can have them trace their own hands. I set the hands in the right position. Abby, almost 6, was able to trace her own. I traced Kenzie’s and Corban’s hands for them.

Fold the paper in half with the non-painted side on the outside. When tracing around both hands, remember the top hand has the thumb away from the folded edge to make the antennae. You use the right hand. The bottom hand has the thumb up against the fold for the body. You use the right hand.

Once you open them up you get some beautiful watercolor butterflies made with and from your children’s hands. I originally saw this idea in our “Family Fun” magazine. It was a must try in my book.