Butterfly Theme Art Lesson Playdate

I recently hosted my first theme based playdate at our home.  The theme was Butterflies and was/is intended to connect with a visit to Lewis Ginter’s Butterfly Live exhibit.  The ages of the children were 2-3, and it was limited to 5 children.  I set up centers in our playroom, along with two art tables in our dinning room.  We read the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Below I will give a summary of each center/art lesson and in following blog posts I will give directions, details and downloads.

While we read the The Very Hungry Caterpillar, we ate a snack.  I made a snack in a shape of a butterfly.  I saw something similar floating around Pinterest but I changed it some, because that one used cookies for the center.  I used precut apples for the wings, half a string cheese for the body, and pretzels sticks for the antennas.

Center 1: Match Butterfly Life Cycle

I made photo cards to match up to Cycle of a Monarch Butterfly Model Kit.  View full lesson  along with a free digital card download here.

Center 2: Make a Caterpillar Necklace

A simple center to thread dyed rigatoni noodles on a string. View full lesson here.

Center 3: Feed the Caterpillar

Feed the caterpillars with tongs. View full lesson here.

Center 4: Play Dough

Homemade Play Dough (see recipe here), with various play dough tools, and butterfly cookie cutters.

Sensory Bin

Sensory bin with various bugs and digging tools. Learn more about all the goodies in the sensory bin here.

Art Center 1: Decorate Butterfly Wings

Add Sparkle and shine to your butterfly. View full lesson here.

Art Center 2: Make a caterpillar

Stamp a caterpillar.