Create Bean Art with a Free Butterfly Mosaic Template

Inside: Create bean mosaic art with this free butterfly mosaic template and some dried beans. A complete step-by-step tutorial is included.

A re you ready for a unique and fun craft idea that’ll bring out your inner artist?

Today, we’re going to explore the world of creating a butterfly mosaic with dried beans. That’s right – dried beans.

Move over paper plate crafts. This unconventional art material adds a touch of whimsy and texture to your masterpiece, making it truly one-of-a-kind. (Plus, a creative idea of what to do with old dried beans gathering dust in your cupboard.)

The best part about creating bean mosaics is that it’s fun and engaging for all ages. (Seriously, this project was more for me than my toddler.) 

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Whether you’re looking for a rainy day project with the kids or a relaxing way to unwind after a long day, this butterfly mosaic is relaxing to make and makes great wall art.

Stay tuned for our free butterfly mosaic pattern and step-by-step guide on how to create your very own butterfly mosaic with dried beans. 

Ready to dive in?

Why Dried Beans Make Great Art

You might be wondering, “Why dried beans?”

The honest answer is: I have a lot of them, and I’ve accepted the fact that with a toddler, I’m never going to cook beans from scratch again. 

Lucky for me, there’s also a whole slew of (other) great reasons.

They’re cheap. Dried beans are super affordable, making them accessible to a wide range of budgets. This means more fun for everyone without breaking the bank.

Versatility. Dried beans come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, providing endless possibilities for different fun crafts. From mosaics and collages to sensory activities and jewelry-making. Really, what can’t you make out of beans?

Easily available. No need to scour specialty stores for this fantastic crafting material. Dried beans are readily available in grocery stores, making them easy to find and purchase.

Eco-friendly. Dried beans are a natural and sustainable material, which means using them in crafts promotes eco-friendliness by reducing reliance on synthetic or disposable materials. Mother Earth will thank you.

Texture and visual appeal. The texture and visual appeal of dried beans can take your craft projects to new heights. They add a unique and tactile element to the finished piece, making it stand out from the crowd.

Ok, ok, you get it. Beans are nature’s genius little art supply.  But what about the learning benefits for your kid?

Want even more butterfly activities? Check out the ultimate guide of butterfly activities for preschoolers

What Your Kid Can Learn From A Dried Bean Mosaic

Use this bean craft as a way to sneak in some learning fun. While your toddlers having a ball painting beans, they’re also practicing so many skills. Let’s take a look:

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Development of Fine Motor Skills

Working with dried beans requires precise handling and manipulation, which can help develop and improve fine motor skills, especially in young kids. It’s like a fun workout for those little fingers.

Sensory Play

The touch and feel of dried beans provide sensory stimulation, making them perfect for sensory activities and tactile play. It’s a feast for the senses.

Educational Value

Incorporating dried beans into crafts or activities can have a whole host of educational benefits. Children can learn about colors, shapes, patterns, counting, sorting, and even the cultural significance of beans as a staple food in different cultures.

Teaches Patience

Going through the steps of a dried bean art project can teach kids the valuable skill of patience. They’ll learn to take their time and appreciate the process, resulting in a more rewarding experience.

Encourages Creativity and Imagination

Dried beans are a fantastic medium for sparking creativity and imagination in children. With so many craft ideas, kids can let their ideas run wild and create unique masterpieces that express their individuality.

Materials

These are the supplies needed for your mosaic butterfly craft.

• Free Butterfly Mosaic Template: download here (or you could draw your own template on construction paper)
• Paper: Regular plain copy paper to print your butterfly template on.
• Home Printer: To print out your template
• Dried Beans: These little gems will be the stars of your artwork. You can find a bag of dried beans at your local grocery store. I used great northern beans (the big white ones) and black beans, but you could use anything (lima beans, lentils, seeds, rice, peas, etc.). 
• White Glue: To stick the beans onto your canvas or surface, you’ll need a reliable adhesive. I recommend using strong craft glue or your good ole school glue. Make sure to choose an adhesive that dries clear to maintain the beauty of your mosaic.
• Canvas or Cardboard: Select a canvas or surface that suits your preference and desired size. Like canvas boards or wooden plaques, if you’re feeling fancy.  But I went with a piece of repurposed cardboard I plucked from the recycling. The choice is yours.
• Paintbrush: You’ll need a paintbrush to apply the adhesive onto the canvas and maneuver the beans into place. I used a pretty old paintbrush since I was dipping it in glue.
• Paint: You can go au-natural with your beans, or you can paint them in fun, vibrant colors. I used acrylic paint.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

Watch the video for step-by-step instructions of how to make the butterfly seed mosaic, or walk through the photo instructions below.

Or take a look at the photo tutorial:

Step 1: Cut out the mosaic butterfly template

First, print out the template on plain copy paper. Then cut out the butterfly shape along the outer black edge. This will serve as the base for your mosaic.

Step 2: Glue the butterfly onto cardboard

Next, glue the butterfly shape to a piece of cardboard using a paintbrush. If you find that the glue is too thick, feel free to mix it with a little drop of water to make it easier to spread.

Step 3: Apply glue and beans to the butterfly

Now, it’s time to start bringing your butterfly mosaic to life! Apply glue with a paintbrush to the areas of the butterfly marked with a 1. At this step, I found it was best not to water down the glue for this step because it should be thick enough for the beans to stick. Carefully lay the beans onto the glued areas. Let the beans dry before moving on to the next color.

Step 4: Paint the beans 

Once the glue dries, it’s time to paint the glued-down beans. I went with orange for these inner circles on the wings.

Step 5: Apply the next set of beans

Next, apply glue to the areas marked with 2, then sprinkle on the beans. Then let the glue dry.

Step 6: Paint the Outer beans

When the glue is dry, paint the outer circles on the wings a contrasting color. I went with brown.

Step 7: Add black beans for accents

Now it’s time to add some finishing touches! Add black beans to the accent circles on the upper wings to create a striking contrast. As well as for the body of the butterfly. You can also paint these a different color. Let your creative spirit guide you!

Step 8: Add beans for the background

Now add white beans to the background until it’s completely filled.  I like the look of lined-up beans going in (roughly) the same direction, so I started from the top adding beans in horizontal rows.  Slowly working down the page. You may prefer a more haphazard sprinkled effect. 

And that’s it! You’re done.

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Download Free Butterfly Template

FAQ

Time for Flight

If your pantry is overflowing with dried beans, and you need fun ideas of how to use them up, take this as your sign.

Your preschooler will have a ton of fun while you create memories (and pretty wall art) together!

(But also, if you want to do this project for yourself, I’ll never tell.)

What’s Next?