Craft: Butterfly Symmetry
Butterflies are a natural example of symmetry: their right and left wings are mirror images of each other. Make your own symmetrical butterfly in this simple craft activity.
Supplies:
- Construction paper in a variety of colours
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Glue
- Craft stick
Instructions:
- Fold a sheet of construction paper in half lengthwise. Draw a butterfly wing on it, placing it so the fold is where the butterfly's body would be.
- Cut out the wing, without cutting the fold. When you unfold it, you should have two identical wings attached in the middle.
- Fold another sheet of construction paper, in a different colour, in half lengthwise. Then fold it in half lengthwise again.
- Cut out a random shape that starts at one end of the folded edge and ends a little bit higher up the fold. Do not cut the fold itself. When you unfold your shape, you should have two identical, symmetrical shapes.
- Position one of your shapes on each wing, in the same place on each wing. Trace around them with the pencil to mark where they should go.
- Dab a little glue onto the back of the shape, then glue it into the positions you marked.
- Continue adding different shapes until your butterfly looks how you want it to. Just remember: the goal is to make each wing the mirror image of the other