Miss Butterfly Bracelets

Miss Butterfly from The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse

Goal

The goal of this activity is to explore the different colours and shapes of butterflies using observation. It is inspired by scientific methods used by Beatrix Potter.

Activity

Create your very own butterfly friend inspired by the works of Beatrix Potter! Observe the different species of butterflies.

What colours do you see when you look at the butterflies ? Where do you find those colours? Why might these colours be significant? What butterflies are native to your region? Do you like butterflies? Why?

Pairing this with a story time? Think about reading The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse by Beatrix Potter! Pay special attention to the insects in this tale. Ask visitors to examine the details closely for their lifelike representations.

Materials for Activity

DOWNLOAD

Props and Prompts

  • Tables and chairs for participants to use (consider having different options for age groups and reserved spaces without chairs for people using wheelchairs or the like)
  • Baskets to hold markers and tape
  • Baskets to hold butterfly template
  • Table for samples of butterfly bracelets
  • Copies of Potter’s works that include images of butterflies – like The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse or The Tale of Tom Kitten
  • Samples of butterflies
  • Books about butterflies from your region

Instructions

Invite participants to join you for a story time. Read The Tale of Mrs. Tittlemouse by Beatrix Potter.

Invite participants to join you at the craft tables to make your own butterfly bracelet, ask questions related to butterflies. Where do we see them? What colours? Talk about different species of butterflies. Challenge participants to create their own butterfly.

First, take a template from the basket. Determine what kind of butterfly you wish to create…remember this can be real or imagined!

With that idea in mind, grab some markers or crayons and begin to colour the template.

Once your butterfly is coloured in, take a pair of scissors and cut out your butterfly.

HINT: Cut along the outside of the bracelet. It’s important to keep the butterfly attached to the band.

After your butterfly is cut out, gently fold the edge of the butterfly that connects with the band.

Using a piece of tape, connect both sides of the butterfly.

Share your butterfly with others at your table. Learn about the butterflies others made. Think about making another, we wouldn’t want your butterfly friend to be lonely!

CITATIONS

[1] Beatrix Potter, The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter (London: F. Warne & Co, 1989), 231.

RESOURCES

Hallinan, Camilla. The Ultimate Peter Rabbit: A Visual Guide to the World of Beatrix Potter. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2002.

Potter, Beatrix. The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter. London: F. Warne & Co., 1989.

© 2021 Meghan Evans