Add some butterfly sensory activities to your next preschool butterfly theme. These sensory butterfly activities for preschoolers are sure to be a hit with the kids.
I’ve put together a variety of ideas for you below. You’ll find sensory bottles, bins, bags, and even some play dough activities. All with a butterfly or caterpillar theme.
Add the sensory invitations alongside other hands-on activities, books, and real images. If you can, try and give the kids a chance to observe real caterpillars and butterflies. Then use the sensory play to extend what the kids are learning about butterflies.
Related: Butterfly Life Cycle Printable Book
In addition to being just plain fun, these sensory activities let the children practice a wide variety of early learning skills.
Best of all, most are easy to set up, and you can make tweaks to any of the ideas based on the kids’ interests and your own preferences.
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Butterfly Sensory Activities
These butterfly sensory play ideas have been gathered from some of my favorite children’s bloggers, many of whom are current or former teachers.
Butterflies are a popular subject when it comes to kids’ activities! The fascinating physical transformation, coupled with their beauty, make butterflies irresistible to kids. The hands-on aspect on top of that makes butterfly sensory activities proven winners!
Sensory Materials for a Butterfly Theme
Here are some items you might want to pick up before getting into the sensory fun (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Laminator
- Laminating plastic
- Printer
- Plastic bins
- Butterfly toys
- Butterfly life cycle figures
- Plastic numbers
- Water beads
- Shredded paper
- Foam beads
- Plastic tongs
- Scooping toys
- Butterfly beads
- Pony beads
- Pipe cleaners
- Pom poms
- Butterfly stamps
- Craft flowers
- Butterfly nets
Remember, as with most activities, you can use the suggested supplies as a jumping-off point and substitute for what you have on hand!
I like to check my craft supplies from time to time to make sure I’m ready for impromptu project-making with the kids!
Butterfly Sensory Bins
First, let’s take a look at some butterfly sensory tub activities. They all look so inviting, and I’m sure the kids will have such fun with whichever you choose!
Related: Butterfly Books for Preschool
Let the kids dive into this colorful butterfly sensory bin, and they’ll get a little bonus butterfly life cycle lesson at the same time!
Watch as the kids dig through the crunchy filler of this butterfly alphabet match sensory bin to match letters. Love the real butterfly images!
Send your students on a butterfly sensory scavenger hunt with a sensory bin that has them hunting for those winged insects.
Children explore sensory play AND math with this open-ended caterpillar math sensory bin.
Pair this butterfly habitat sensory bin activity with its coordinating free printable to help kids learn about butterflies while they dig and play.
Have your kids get their hands into a colorful butterfly sensory tub. Use some of the pasta shapes as caterpillars, and some as butterflies, or add your own toys!
If the children need something a bit more soothing, try this easy butterfly sensory bin.
Use oats as an enticing sensory filler in this rainbows and butterflies sensory bin!
Use naturally-colored pasta to make your own bright butterfly sensory bin.
Make a super simple (but no less engaging) butterfly garden sensory tub with just a few materials.
Observe as your students hunt for butterfly pairs in this beautiful butterfly matching sensory tray.
Make this glorious butterfly habitat sensory bin that you can ooh and aah over as the kids explore.
Grab your copy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar and make a fun afternoon out of math practice with this counting sensory tray!
Use sand and shovels to assemble this clever caterpillars and twigs sensory activity.
Even More Butterfly Sensory Activities
Sensory play doesn’t end with bins and trays! Sensory bottles, bags, and even classic play dough give kids hands-on experiences they can learn and have fun with. Choose any of these when you are on the go, if you want to keep it simple with your butterfly sensory play.
Make these individual butterfly life cycle sensory bottles for kids to explore each stage of the butterfly life cycle.
Let the kids calm themselves with this lovely butterfly sensory bottle.
Make this low-mess butterfly sensory bag for kids who are a bit touch-averse. It’s packed full of glitzy sparkles!
Craft an extra-cute butterfly sensory bag that’s actually in the shape of a butterfly!
Related: Butterfly Life Cycle Necklace
Print and use these butterfly play dough mats, and let the kids practice fine motor skills while they play and create.
Set out a homemade butterfly play dough kit and watch the kids create for hours.
When you set up this butterfly garden play dough invitation, just watch and be amazed with all of the creative ideas your kids come up with!
Give your students the opportunity to practice the butterfly life cycle with this butterfly world play dough kit.
Which of these butterfly sensory activities will you try with the kids first? Be sure to pin this post for future reference! If you pin it, be sure to check out my Butterfly Activities Pinterest board while you’re there.
Done-For-You Preschool Resources
Let Preschool Teacher 101 save you a ton of planning time with fully-developed resources. That way, you can focus on teaching your students at work . . . and keep your personal time to yourself outside of the classroom!
Click on the image below to get our butterfly lesson plans. They include weekly plans, detailed daily lesson plans, whole group activities, small group lessons, center activities, book suggestions, editable planning templates, and related printables.
Here are a few more fully-developed, done-for-you resources for your preschool classroom. Click on the images below to get your own:
We’re also on Teachers Pay Teachers, if that’s your preference. And be sure to join the waiting list for The Pack from Preschool Teacher 101. Our members get access to our materials, as well as some exclusive products.
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