Sensory Play

Free Butterfly Stamping Activity: Strengthening Little Hands

Pinch a sponge with a rubber band and it becomes a butterfly stamp. Messy, sensory painting that strengthens little hands.

Updated 5 September 2023

Butterfly stamping craft using a sponge tied with a rubber band and paint

Quick answer

Wrap a rubber band round the middle of a sponge, paint it in stripes or spots, press it onto paper and add antennae with a brush. Ages 2 to 6, about 15 minutes.

Painting might be a bit messy, but it is one of the best tools for improving fine motor skills, and it does not have to mean a paintbrush. Pegs and pom-poms, sponges, hands and straws all work, and each one exposes your child to a different texture.

Painted butterfly prints made with a sponge stamp

1. Sponge butterfly stamp

A sponge pinched in the middle with a rubber band becomes a butterfly stamp for painted prints.

Best forPainting, textures and pincer grip
Age2 to 6
Time15 to 20 minutes
Mess levelHigh
DifficultyEasy
CostUnder £2

You will need

A sponge
A rubber band
Paper
Paint
Paintbrush

How to set it up

Wrap a rubber band around the middle of the sponge to pinch it into a butterfly shape.
Pour different colours of paint onto a plate or tray. Paint the sponge in stripes or spots, then press it onto the paper like a stamp.
Add antennae to each print with a brush to finish the butterflies.

Why it helps

Painting does not have to mean a brush. Stamping with a sponge, or picking up a pom-pom with a peg, gives children a reason to use the pincer grasp that handwriting depends on, and pressing and lifting the stamp strengthens fingers while practising hand-eye coordination. The sponge and wet paint add textures to explore.