Looking for a quick craft you can toss together at the last minute? Look no further! Because this butterfly craft for kids is easy with little prep and clean up. Additionally, all the items you need are things you probably already have in your house. And if not, I will offer up some suggestions for an alternative.
I am a plan as you go kind of person, therefore I tend to look for or come up with crafts that I can throw together on short notice. Sometimes I wish I was more of a scheduler and planner, but there is beauty in being able to be creative and spontaneous too.
The last two weeks all my kids have been sick with the stomach flu, and lucky me, they shared… So when everyone else was better and I was dealing with a churning stomach, I needed something to occupy these kids. (Mom life, am I right?) So we made this adorable butterfly craft for kids. All in all, it didn’t require a lot of energy from me, and it filled their connection cup up a bit too. Win!
Butterfly Craft for Kids of All Ages
This butterfly craft for kids is one that all ages can do! If you have older kids who can use scissors, or even hot glue they can almost do this entirely on their own. On the other hand, toddlers and pre-schoolers will only require a little help from you. It is so simple!
Additionally, my favorite part about these adorable little butterflies is that the prep and clean up is so little! I think there is a time and place for messy crafts and activities. But sometimes it sure is nice not to have to clean up a huge mess after doing a craft with your kids.
Lastly, I was able to make this craft with things that I already have in my house. While I have a small basket of kids crafty things in my closet, nothing is out of the ordinary. Even if you don’t have the exact item, they can be easily substituted for something that will work just as well.
All things considered, if you’re not crafty yourself, you can easily make these sweet little butterflies with your kids!
So here we go! Let’s Make a Butterfly Craft!
Step One To The Easiest Butterfly Craft for Kids: Gather Your Supplies
Items you will need:
- Pipe cleaner
- No pipe cleaner? Popsicle sticks, or paper cut outs.
- Wooden Skewer
- No skewers? A small stick from outside, or a popsicle stick.
- Construction Paper
- Out of construction paper? Any paper will do!
- Toilet Paper Tube
- If you don’t have any of these laying around you can roll a half sheet of paper into a tube shape. In this case, toilet paper tubes are recommended.
- Googly Eyes – I recommend the ones with a sticker back
- If you don’t have googly eyes, you can simply draw eyes on.
- Your coloring utensils of choice. E.g. Markers, crayons, colored pencils.
- Hot Glue
- I like hot glue because it dries fast. But you can use regular glue or even tape too.
- Scissors – If your kids will be doing the cutting use kids scissors.
- Optional extras: Stickers, stick on jewels, stencils.
Step Two: Make the Butterfly’s Wings
First, fold a piece of construction paper in half the short way. (Did anyone else grow up calling this hamburger style?)
Second, draw a large heart on the folded construction paper, as shown in the photo below. You want the bottom of the heart to stop at the fold without it coming to a full point.
Third, cut the heart out and unfold. These will be your butterfly’s wings!
Finally, decorate the butterfly’s wings. Use your coloring utensils of choice, stickers, stencils, sticky jewels, whatever you fancy!
Tip: To extend the coloring and decorating time, have your kids decorate both side of the wings and the toilet paper tube.
Step Three: Make the Butterfly’s Antennas
After you’ve finished the butterfly’s wings, it’s time to make the antennas!
- Cut your pipe cleaner in half.
- Roll the top of each pipe cleaner into a circle shape.
- Twist the bottom two pieces of each pipe cleaner together to make a V-shape.
- Hot glue the antennas to the inside of the toilet paper tube.
In similar fashion, if you don’t have any pipe cleaner, you can cut a small popsicle stick in half and glue it in a V-shape. Then glue to the inside of the toilet paper tube. Alternatively, you can cut out an antenna shape from paper and glue them to the inside of the tube.
Step Four: Assemble Your Butterfly.
Next up, you will add your googly eyes to one side of the toilet paper tube. I used the side I glued the antenna to. If you don’t have any googly eyes, you can simply draw them on!
Second, add a little hot glue in the center of the wings, on the side you decorated. (These will face in.) Stick the wings to the back of the toilet paper tube. (The side without the googly eyes.) Press down gently on the toilet paper tube for a few seconds to allow the glue to dry.
*If you are using regular school glue, make sure you give it plenty of time to dry!*
Lastly, add a little smile below your butterfly’s eyes, if you so desire!
Step Five: Finish Your Butterfly Craft for Kids!
At this point your butterfly is finished, and this step is optional! My kids liked being able to make their butterfly “fly” with the stick, but it is not completely necessary!
Cover one end of the wooden skewer, popsicle stick, or stick with hot glue and place inside the bottom of the toilet paper tube. Then pinch the two sides of the bottom of the tube together so they will stick together. This just ensures a little extra security in the event that kids flap their butterfly a little too hard.
Ta-Da! Now, off to play with your butterfly!
Once we finished making these, my kids had so much fun running around flapping their butterfly’s wings, and playing with them together. In summary, it didn’t take much time to make them, and your kids will love getting to do something special with you.
One last random thought…
If you added a stick to your butterfly, you could easily add these butterflies in a potted plant or a vase to display! (Oooh! Wouldn’t that make a super cute addition to a Mother’s Day bouquet or plant for grandma?!)
What do you think of these butterfly crafts? Did you make them with your kids? Did you add anything special? I would love to hear all about it and see photos in the comments below!
You are doing amazing!!
