13 Dragonfly Crafts for Preschoolers (original) (raw)

Are you looking for summer crafts for kids that provide a perfect blend of entertainment and learning? These dragonfly crafts for preschoolers offer a delightful way to do just that. They nurture their creativity and are an educational tool for teaching them about the fascinating world of dragonflies.

By incorporating elements of nature, children gain a greater appreciation for the environment while developing their motor skills. Use this list of projects to transform an ordinary afternoon into an extraordinary exploration adventure, making it ideal for home, school, or summer camp.

Dragonflies capture the imagination of young children like few other creatures do. Their dazzling colors, from iridescent blues and greens to shimmering reds, grab attention and spark curiosity.

The intricate patterns across their wings are like natural artworks, inviting kids to explore the tiny details that make each dragonfly unique.

Watching these agile insects dart and hover over gardens and waterways is akin to witnessing a live dance performance full of energy and grace. Dragonfly crafts are a fun art project that allows children to appreciate the beauty and complexity of nature up close.

Fun Facts About Dragonflies

While you are working on your projects, it is a great time to share some interesting facts about dragonflies. Did you know they are among the fastest insects? They are capable of flying up to 35 miles per hour!

Dragonflies have been around for over 300 million years, making them one of the first winged insects to evolve. While we see adult ones zipping around in the air, they spend most of their lives underwater as nymphs-it can be a year or more before emerging to take flight.

Thanks to their powerful and unique wing movements, dragonflies can move in all directions during flight, unlike most insects. Lastly, some dragonfly species migrate long distances, like birds, to fly south for the winter.

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Squishmallows Official Kellytoy Plush 8 Inch (Heather Dragonfly)Hand Helicopter Spinner Outdoor Flying Plastic Dragonfly ToyAmaonm® 20pcs 3D Colorful Dragonfly Vividly StickersDragonfly Growth CycleFolkmanis Mini Dragonfly Finger Puppet3 Pcs Large Kites Delta Kites – Butterfly, Dragonfly

Benefits of Making Dragonfly Crafts for Preschoolers

Making dragonfly crafts provides preschoolers with many learning and developmental benefits. For one, it is an excellent opportunity to enhance their fine motor skills.

Activities such as cutting, painting, and gluing require precision and coordination, which helps develop the small muscles in their hands and fingers.

Another benefit is expressing creativity, as children choose from various materials to replicate dragonfly wings’ vibrant colors and intricate patterns.

Furthermore, it’s an excellent opportunity to introduce educational concepts interactively. For example, children learn about dragonfly anatomy as they create the body and wings.

Engage them in further understanding their habitats by discussing where their crafts might “live” and exploring the life cycle from nymph to adult dragonfly. This will contribute to a deeper, hands-on understanding of biology and nature.

Fun Insect Crafts for Kids

Spring and summer provide the perfect backdrop for kids to explore the world of bugs and insects. These insect crafts allow kids to take a closer look at insects’ fascinating details and roles in our environment.

Crafting these tiny creatures offers endless learning and fun, whether at home, in a lively classroom, or under the sun at summer camp.

• Coffee Filter Bee Craft
• Coffee Filter Ladybug Craft
• Coffee Filter Butterfly Craft
• Butterfly Life Cycle Craft

Recommended Craft Supplies

With these supplies, you can create many fun and educational dragonfly crafts for preschoolers. Start with basic construction paper or cardstock, which creates a versatile foundation for many projects.

Transform pipe cleaners and popsicle sticks into the body and limbs of your dragonflies, while plastic or wooden spoons offer a unique twist.

Use paint, markers, or crayons, to add bright colors and intricate patterns. Bring your creations to life with googly eyes, adding personality and charm.

Try using tissue paper or coffee filters to add texture and depth to your wings, making each project a unique piece of art.

Shop some of my favorite craft supplies on Amazon!

Kids’ Books About Dragonflies

Integrating reading into your dragonfly craft activities complements the hands-on learning experience and opens the door to additional knowledge. Books about dragonflies can captivate children’s imaginations, providing a deeper understanding of these fascinating insects.

Reading together allows children to learn even more interesting facts, such as the astonishing variety of dragonfly species or their essential role in ecosystems as predators of harmful insects.

Eliza and the Dragonfly: A Nature Book for Kids About Insect Life CyclesLittle Ant and the Dragonfly (Little Ant Books)Dragonflies (First Step Nonfiction ― Animal Life Cycles)Dragonflies!: A My Incredible World Picture Book for Children (My Incredible World: Nature and Animal Picture Books for Children)Fast Facts About Dragonflies (Fast Facts About Bugs & Spiders)Counting Dragonflies: Counting Book For Toddlers Coloring Book Included (Kids Count Series)

This combination of crafting and reading enriches the educational experience, making it informative and enjoyable. Discovering stories and facts about dragonflies will inspire their projects and encourage a lifelong love for learning about nature.

Craft vibrant dragonflies with your kids this summer using coffee filters and washable markers. A great project for kids to get creative and learn about color blending.

Here is a great project for older kids, since it does get a bit complex. Younger kids could also make these clothespin dragonflies, but they would likely need a bit more help.

Make these fun little dragonflies using found materials, craft supplies, and kitchen supplies. Combining all these elements gives the finished product a unique look.

Now this dragonfly craft is ideal for little ones. It does involve glue, but the results are so cute that you won’t mind if you have to help a little.

These popsicle stick dragonflies leave so much room for creativity! Plus, the wings are provided as a colorable template, taking the stress out of drawing and cutting them just so.

Kids will flip out over these dragonflies that actually flap their wings when the kids run around. A fun craft project, and a way to tire out the kids? Yes, definitely.

This dragonfly craft combines Sharpie markers with alcohol to create an amazing stained-glass effect on upcycled milk jugs. Cut the jugs apart to form the wings and then color them just as demonstrated.

Have kids color this template before assembly. The 3D effect is created through careful folding and gluing.

Print and cut out these corner bookmarks for a twofold benefit. They are very cute, and kids will love making them. Also, they encourage summer reading, a time when kids’ knowledge levels categorically drop until school starts back up.

Egg cartons are a criminally underused craft supply. Just have a look at these egg carton dragonflies to be forever changed into a fan of the egg carton.

Toilet paper rolls might be one of the most perfect craft supplies to use for a dragonfly. With their long bodies, they tend to mirror the shape perfectly.

The supply list for this craft is short, but that doesn’t mean the finished products are any less impressive. The included template also helps bring this dragonfly mask to life.

These cute little crafts are just perfect for younger kids. Practicing bead threading is good for motor skills, and all of the parts are simple enough for little ones to put together.

Encouraging creativity and an appreciation for nature in young minds is a rewarding experience, and these dragonfly crafts provide a perfect avenue to do just that.

By engaging in these projects, parents and educators can offer children a unique way to explore the fascinating world of dragonflies while enhancing their motor skills and sparking their imagination.

Whether at home, school, or camp, we hope you’re inspired to try these crafts and create your own new and different projects.

Darcy is the founder of “Life With Darcy and Brian,” where she combines her love for education, board games, and crafting to create engaging learning experiences for kids. Her creative projects and writing have been featured in outlets like The Toy Insider, CafeMom, Mom.com, Parents.com, Country Living, and The Pioneer Woman.