Butterflies are some of the most beautiful and magical creatures, and drawing one can be fun and easy for kids! Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or young artist, this guide will teach you how to draw a butterfly in 5 simple step by step. Using basic shapes and clear instructions, your butterfly will come to life in no time.
Plus, don’t miss the FREE PDF Practice Worksheet at the end! It includes all the steps with extra space to practice anytime.
Easy 5 Steps How to Draw a Butterfly + Free Practice Guide
Drawing Materials
- Paper
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
- Our Butterfly Drawing Guide PDF Worksheet (optional)
Start by drawing lightly so that you can easily erase if there are mistakes. Continue by following the arrow step.
Step 1: Draw the Butterfly’s Head and Body
Start by drawing a long, thin oval for the butterfly’s body. Add another oval at the top for the head. Finish with curved lines in the body to give it a more realistic look.
Tip for Kids: Think of the body like a little stick with a lollipop on top—it’s that easy! Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. You will get better with practice!
Step 2: Draw the Wings of your Butterfly
Now it’s time to add wings!
- Start by drawing two large, rounded triangle shapes on each side of the body for the top wings.
- Below the top wings, add two smaller rounded triangle shapes for the bottom wings.
Make sure the wings on the left and right are roughly the same size to keep the butterfly balanced.
Tip for Kids: The wings are like two big, rounded triangles on top and two smaller ones on the bottom, keep the size of the wings proportional for a cute and friendly look.
Step 3: Draw the Details of the Wings
Inside each wing, draw fun patterns! You can add:
- Circles
- Ovals
- Wavy lines
- Smaller triangles
Be as creative as you want! Butterflies have unique patterns, so no two drawings will look the same.
Tip for Kids: Try to make the patterns design on both sides of the butterfly look similar for a realistic look.
Step 4: Draw the Butterfly’s Antennae and Face Details
Next, give your butterfly some personality:
Draw two curvy lines at the top of the head for the antennae. Then add small circles at the tips of each antenna.
Inside the head, draw two round eyes and a half circle for a happy smile.
Add final touches to your butterfly, like extra patterns on the wings or stripes on the body.
Tip for Kids: Make the eyes big and the smile wide to make your butterfly look cheerful and friendly!
Step 5: Color your Butterfly
Now comes the most exciting part—coloring your butterfly! Use your favorite crayons, markers, or colored pencils to fill in the wings, patterns, and body. Choose bright, vibrant colors or use softer shades for a dreamy look.
Tip for Kids: Butterflies are known for their colorful patterns, so don’t hold back. Try rainbow colors or use your favorite hues to make your butterfly stand out!
Free Butterfly Drawing Practice PDF Worksheet!
Practice makes perfect! Download our FREE PDF Practice Worksheet to help you practice the 5 easy steps.
This worksheet includes clear instructions and a blank section for kids to create their own butterfly. Perfect for practicing at home, in the classroom, or anywhere! Click below to get your printable worksheet and have fun drawing!
Terms of Use: You can print as many copies as you need for your kids, students, or groups. To share, please link to this page. Please don’t sell, email, post, or share these files in any other way. Thank you!
butterfly drawing worksheet pdf
Explore Our Butterfly Coloring Pages
Want more butterfly-themed activities? Check out our Butterfly Coloring Pages for endless coloring fun! These pages are perfect for creative play and a great way to spend time with your favorite magical butterflies.
👉 Explore Butterfly Coloring Pages Here
How to Fix Common Butterfly Drawing Mistakes
- Body Too Short/Fat: Butterflies have slender bodies. If yours looks too short or wide, try elongating the oval shape from Step 1.
- Wings Not Symmetrical: Symmetry is key for butterflies! If your wings look lopsided, go back to Step 2 and try to make them more evenly sized and shaped on both sides of the body.
- Inner Wing Details Missing: These details make the wings look realistic. If your wings are just plain outlines, refer to Step 3 and add those elegant curved lines.
- Antennae Too Straight: Butterfly antennae are usually curved. If yours are rigid, try giving them a gentle, graceful bend as shown in Step 4.
Helpful Drawing Tips and Tricks For Kids
- Light Sketches First: Always start with very light pencil lines for your initial shapes. It makes erasing and refining much easier!
- Think Symmetry: Butterflies are wonderfully symmetrical. Try to make both sides of your drawing mirror each other.
- Curved Lines: Butterflies have a lot of gentle curves in their wings and body. Practice making smooth, flowing lines.
- Pattern Play: The inner wing patterns can be anything you imagine! Don’t be afraid to experiment with different shapes and lines once you’ve got the basic structure down.
- Vibrant Colors: Butterflies are known for their dazzling colors. Don’t be shy with your crayons or markers!
Butterfly Fun Facts for Kids
- Many Kinds: There are over 17,500 species of butterflies in the world!
- Life Cycle: Butterflies go through a process called metamorphosis, changing from an egg to a larva (caterpillar), then a pupa (chrysalis), and finally, a butterfly.
- Taste with Their Feet: Butterflies have taste receptors on their feet!
- Scaly Wings: Butterfly wings are covered in tiny, overlapping scales, which give them their beautiful colors and patterns.
- Sip Nectar: Butterflies mostly drink nectar from flowers using a long, tube-like tongue called a proboscis.
Grab a pencil, follow these steps, and draw your own butterfly. 🦋
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