There’s a certain joy in creating art that dances in the sunlight.

Ingredients:

– White coffee filters

– Washable markers (water-based, bright colors)

– Spray bottle or pipettes with water

– Pipe cleaners (for butterfly bodies and antennae)

– Tray or baking sheet (to contain water)

– Optional: googly eyes for decoration

To begin this delightful project, flatten a coffee filter on your workspace. Encourage your little ones to use the washable markers to draw bold designs with bright colors—dots and lines work wonderfully! Once they finish coloring, carefully place the filter on a tray and lightly spray it with water or drop some from a pipette. Watch in wonder as the colors begin to spread and swirl together, creating a beautiful tie-dye effect. After that, let the filters dry completely; you can use a low heat hair dryer to speed things along. Once they’re dry, pinch the center to form the butterfly’s wings and wrap a pipe cleaner around the center, securing it while leaving the ends for antennae. You can gently curl those antennae for a finishing touch. If you like, add googly eyes for a bit of extra fun! Your Chromatography Coffee Filter Butterflies will be lovely on windows or hanging as a cheerful mobile.

Make a memory today, not just a mess.