Maths · Symmetry colouring worksheet
Symmetry Butterfly Worksheet (Free KS1 Maths Printable)
This free printable introduces line symmetry through a friendly butterfly. The line down the centre of its body is a line of symmetry: the two halves are mirror images of each other. One wing is already patterned, and your child colours the blank wing so that both sides match exactly.
Symmetry: Finish the Butterfly
Free Maths worksheet · Ages 6 to 7
Look at the line down the middle of the butterfly. It is a line of symmetry, so both halves should match. Colour the blank wing so it is exactly the same as the decorated wing.
- Colour each shape on the blank wing to match the shape in the same place on the other wing.
- Use the same colours on both wings so the two halves are mirror images.
- Colour the body and both antennae the same colour on each side.
Symmetry: Finish the Butterflyowee.worldWhat this worksheet teaches
Symmetry is one of the first ideas about shape that children meet in Key Stage 1. A shape (or picture) has a line of symmetry when you could fold it along that line and the two halves would sit exactly on top of one another. Butterflies are a perfect real-world example because almost every butterfly is symmetrical about the vertical line down the middle of its body. By colouring the blank wing to mirror the patterned wing, children turn an abstract idea into something they can see and do with their own hands.
How to use the worksheet at home or in class
Print the sheet on A4 and have crayons or coloured pencils ready. Point out the straight line down the centre of the butterfly and explain that it splits the picture into two matching halves. Ask the child to look closely at the decorated wing, then colour each shape on the blank wing in the same colour and position, so the butterfly looks balanced. To extend the activity, hold the finished sheet up to a window or fold it gently along the centre line to check that the two halves really do match.
Linking to the Year 2 curriculum
In England, line symmetry first appears in the Year 2 programme of study for geometry, where pupils are expected to identify and describe line symmetry in a vertical line. Working with a vertical line of symmetry, as in this butterfly, matches that wording precisely. The activity also supports the broader Year 1 and Year 2 aims of recognising and describing 2-D shapes and noticing patterns in the world around them.
Ideas to extend the learning
Once the butterfly is complete, look for other symmetrical things around the home: a leaf, the front of a house, a person's face, or letters such as A, M and T. You could fold a sheet of paper in half, paint a blob on one side and press the halves together to make a symmetrical 'butterfly' print. These small explorations help children understand that symmetry is everywhere, not just on a worksheet.
Frequently asked questions
What age is this symmetry butterfly worksheet for?
It is designed for children aged 6 to 7 (Year 2 in England), but younger children in Year 1 can enjoy it with a little help, and older children can use it as a quick refresher on line symmetry.
Is the worksheet really free to print?
Yes. The worksheet is completely free to download and print at home or in the classroom. It is designed to fit on a single A4 page so you only need one sheet of paper per child.
What is a line of symmetry?
A line of symmetry is a line that divides a shape or picture into two halves that are mirror images of each other. If you folded the picture along that line, the two halves would match exactly. The butterfly has a vertical line of symmetry down the middle of its body.
Why are butterflies used to teach symmetry?
Butterflies are almost perfectly symmetrical about a vertical line, so their wings make the idea easy to see. Colouring one wing to match the other gives children a clear, hands-on way to understand mirror images.
How does this link to the National Curriculum?
It supports the Year 2 geometry objective to identify and describe line symmetry in a vertical line, and reinforces recognising and naming 2-D shapes from Year 1.
Curriculum links
- Year 2 Geometry, properties of shapes: identify and describe the properties of 2-D shapes, including the number of sides and line symmetry in a vertical line.
- Year 1 Geometry, properties of shapes: recognise and name common 2-D shapes.
- Mathematics aims (KS1): reason mathematically by recognising relationships and noticing patterns.
Made by The Owee education team. Updated 02/06/2026. Free to print and share.
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