28 Butterfly Coloring Pages

Butterflies taste with their feet and drink nectar through a long, coiled mouthpart called a proboscis. Their wings are covered in thousands of tiny scales, which create the colors and patterns we see. Every butterfly starts as a caterpillar, then forms a chrysalis before emerging with wings, a change called complete metamorphosis. This collection includes a butterfly with a caterpillar, butterflies resting on a flower, a rock or in the grass, one next to a plant and another holding a flower. Wing shapes vary from lacy to scalloped to heart shaped, and there are side views, wings-up poses and a dancing butterfly. A few silly pages give butterflies tiny arms to stretch or to hold a snack. Because butterfly wings are symmetrical, kids can practice mirroring colors from one side to the other. Monarchs are orange with black veins and white dots, while blue morphos shimmer bright blue, so real species make good inspiration. Simple butterflies suit preschoolers, and the lacy wings are great for older kids with fine markers.