Make Symmetry Art
Fold paper, add paint or stamps, press to create mirror image prints, and explore line and radial symmetry while comparing patterns and colors.
Step-by-step guide to make symmetry art
How to make Butterfly with Symmetry Painting? | Easy art Ideas for Kids
Step 1
Cover your work area with newspaper or a plastic sheet to keep it clean.
Step 2
Decide whether you want to make line symmetry or radial symmetry for your art.
Step 3
Fold your paper the way you chose: fold in half for line symmetry or fold into a triangle or several layers for radial symmetry.
Step 4
Pick two or three paint colors to use for your print.
Step 5
Put small blobs of paint on one side of the folded paper near the fold or edge.
Step 6
Close the paper by folding the blank side over the painted side.
Step 7
Press down firmly with your hand to spread the paint and make a mirror image.
Step 8
Open the paper slowly to see your symmetrical print appear.
Step 9
Make another print using a different fold or different colors to compare line and radial results.
Step 10
Let both artworks dry completely on the protected surface.
Step 11
Look at your finished pieces and notice how shapes and colors repeat on each side.
Step 12
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use if I don't have newspaper or a plastic sheet to protect the work area?
Use a clean garbage bag, an old shower curtain, a large piece of cardboard, or an old towel to cover the surface before placing the paper and paint blobs.
My paint is smudging or the paper rips when I press—how can I fix that?
Use heavier paper or cardstock, put smaller paint blobs farther from the fold or edge, and press gently instead of overly firmly when you close the paper to spread the paint.
How can I change the activity for younger or older kids?
For younger children, pre-fold the paper and have an adult help place big blobs of two washable paint colors and press the paper, while older kids can experiment with multiple-layer radial folds, three or more colors, and more precise blob placement to compare line versus radial symmetry.
How can we personalize or extend our symmetry art after it dries?
Turn dried prints into greeting cards or a symmetry gallery by cutting and mounting prints on colored cardstock, adding marker details, or photographing and sharing the images on DIY.org.
Watch videos on how to make symmetry art
Art Lessons for Kids: Symmetry Painting
4 Videos
Art Lessons for Kids: Symmetry Painting
Symmetrical Shapes - An Early Elementary Art Lesson about Symmetry & Balance
Intro to Symmetry: All About Symmetry for Kids | Easy Drawing Activity
Rotational Symmetry Art Project for Kids
Facts about symmetry and printmaking for kids
✂️ The fold-and-press technique you use for symmetry art is a simple form of printmaking where each result is a one-of-a-kind monotype.
🔁 A kaleidoscope makes radial symmetry by reflecting bits of color between mirrors; turning it creates endless new patterns.
🔬 Biologists use symmetry to help classify animals and understand how body plans evolve.
🧠 Making mirror-image prints helps build spatial thinking and pattern-recognition skills used in math and coding.
🎨 Symmetry appears everywhere — humans are roughly bilaterally symmetric while many flowers and starfish show radial symmetry.
How do I make symmetry art with my child?
What materials do I need for symmetry art?
What ages is symmetry art suitable for?
What are the safety tips and learning benefits of symmetry art?
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