Free – Eco-friendly dragonfly craft using recycled plastic and fun insect facts for students!

Hey there, fellow educators! 

I’m so excited to share a new little gem from my resource library that I think you and your students will absolutely love. It’s called Dragonfly Stained Glass Recycled Craft + Fun Facts, and it’s designed to combine nature study, art with recycled materials, and a bit of science fun into one clean, easy-to-use activity.
(If you know me from CreativeBrainsGrowHere.org or my TPT store, you know that I’m all about connecting ecology + creativity + classroom chill!)

What it is

In a nutshell, this activity lets your students create a “stained-glass” style dragonfly wing craft using recycled plastic as the medium. The file includes:

• Close-up wing-vein pattern of a dragonfly that students will trace or color. 
• Instructions to get started 
• Copy-friendly black & white version for easy printing. 
• Some fun facts about dragonflies are included at the bottom for inspiration and discussion. 
• Strong “eco-friendly” twist: reuse plastic (think clear lids, packaging, etc.) so your students create art from something that might otherwise go into the bin. 

Why teachers and students will love it

• Low-prep, big payoff: Everything is on one sheet, so you don’t need a ton of extras or complicated steps. That’s a win when your schedule is jam-packed. (- My favorite aspect)
• Supports multiple learning areas: It touches on science (insects, wing anatomy, ecology), visual art (designing the stained-glass effect), and environmental awareness (recycling).
• Perfect for choice time or centering: Let students select their recycled plastic piece, choose their colors, and create at their own pace: great independent work or take-home project.
• Engaging visual appeal: The stained-glass effect naturally draws kids in. Having a wing pattern to trace or fill in provides structure while still allowing for creativity.
• Aligns with pull-in passions: If you’re building a nature-themed classroom, doing an insect unit, celebrating Earth Day, or want a fresh craft — this fits beautifully.

Easy tweaks + extension ideas

To make it even more tailored for your class, here are a few simple ideas:

• Color-and-label: After the craft, have students label parts of the wing (veins, membrane, etc.) and write a short “fun fact” statement about dragonflies.
• Window display: Hang the finished wing crafts in a row in a window so the “stained glass” effect glows with sunlight — instant classroom décor!
• Science talk: Use the included fun facts as a springboard for a mini-lesson: Why are dragonfly wings patterned like that? What purpose does the vein network serve?
• Recycling discussion: Ask students what plastic piece they chose, why, and how reusing materials helps our planet. Great for linking art to sustainability.
• Math connection: Let students measure the dimensions of their plastic piece and calculate area, or graph how many students chose which color or plastic type.

How I’d use it in a 3-5 classroom

Here’s a sample mini-lesson plan:

1. Introduction (5 min) — Show a photo of a dragonfly, talk briefly about its wing structure and speed in flight.
2. Material roll-out (5 min) — Distribute the craft sheet and recycled plastic pieces. Explain the steps.
3. Craft time (15-20 min) — Students trace or color the wing pattern. Then, choose how they’ll create the stained-glass effect (markers, tissue paper, transparent plastic, etc.).
4. Fun fact discussion (5-7 min) — Read together the fun facts on the sheet. Invite students to share one new thing they learned.
5. Share & reflect (5 min) — Students hold up their wing crafts and talk about their choices… “I chose green plastic because …”, “I used red lines here because …”.
6. Extension/homework option — Invite students to go outside, spot a dragonfly (or research one). Write or draw a follow-up in their science journal.

So!

If you’re looking for a ready-to-go, engaging, and eco-friendly craft resource that doubles as a science conversation starter, this “Dragonfly Stained Glass” activity is a wonderful fit. 

Thanks so much for reading—here’s to many creative, nature-loving, recycled-art moments in your class! If you try it out, I’d love to hear how it went (and see some student projects if you’re up for sharing).

💬 I’d Love to Hear From You!

Your feedback helps me create even more tools to support your learners!

Thank you, and have a fantastic week!

-J

creativebrainsgrowhere.org

@creativebrainsgrowhere

(You might also see this post on my site!)