How To Draw a Butterfly (Free Printable + Video)

Want an activity that will make your classroom aflutter with creativity? Elementary school is the perfect time to nurture the inner artist that lives in every child. What better way than to encourage them to learn to draw something beautiful like a butterfly? Our free printable has step-by-step instructions for teaching kids how to draw a butterfly. Make it a fun Friday group activity or keep it on hand for your fast finishers.  

There’s a video tutorial and images with step-by-step instructions. Plus, be sure to click the button below to download the free printable instructions so kids can easily follow along.

How To Draw a Butterfly Video

There are five easy-to-follow steps below for teaching kids how to draw a butterfly. They should simplify the process for kids of all ages and abilities.

How To Draw a Butterfly Step-by-Step

Step 1

Begin with a white piece of paper and a black permanent marker. Draw a small black dot in the center of the paper that will be the butterfly’s head. Next draw two small circle shapes coming off of the head to form the upper part of the body. Then, draw a small oval shape to complete the body. Finally, add two black antennae off of the head with little black dots on the ends.

Step 2

Now we’re going to give our butterfly wings! Each wing will consist of a larger heart shape on the top and a smaller heart shape on the bottom. The top portion of each wing should begin at the top of the butterfly’s body and end about halfway down the body. Begin the second portion of the wing coming off of the top wing.

Step 3

Now we’re going to add some detail within the wings. To start, add an elongated loop that mirrors the first section of the top portion of each wing. Then, coming off of that loop, create another sectioned area within the top portion of each wing. Next, section off the bottom wing into different shaped smaller areas. Feel free to use some creative expression in how you choose to execute this step!

Step 4

In the open white spaces on the edges of the wings, we’re going to add several small circles. Add about six in the upper wings and four in the lower wings.

Step 5

In this final step, we’re going to shade in the outer edges of the wings around the circles you drew. Now get a nice frame or gift your beautiful butterfly to someone you love!

Get your free How To Draw a Butterfly printable with step-by-step instructions

Are you ready to save and print your free butterfly-drawing printable? All you need to do is click the button below to fill out the form at the top of this page.

Do you have more ideas for art activities? Come and share them in our We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out more of our favorite Directed Drawing Activities for Kids.