Paper Plate Butterflies

Kids love butterflies. This easy, hands-on activity encourages imagination, strengthens fine motor skills, and gives children a colorful creation they’re proud to display.

Be sure to read children’s books about butterflies while making this project: “A Butterfly is Patient” by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long; “The Butterfly Alphabet Book” by Jerry Pallotta, Brian Cassie, and Mark Astrella; “Ten Magic Butterflies” by Danica McKellar; “Waiting for Wings” by Louis Ehert; “Hurry and the Monarch” by Antoine Ó Flatharta; “My, Oh My–A Butterfly!” by Tish Rabe; “Where Butterflies Grow” by Joanne Ryder; “Family Butterfly Book” by Rick Mikula; and “The Life Cycles of Butterflies” by Judy Burris and Wayne Richards.

For more butterfly projects click here to see how to make Window Butterfly Sun Catchers, click here to see how to make Handheld Butterfly Sun Catchers; tap here to see how to make Cardboard Roll Butterflies; and click here to see how to make Butterflies made from Coffee Filters. 

You Will Need:

Paper Plate
Scissors
Tempura Paint
Paint Brushes
Craft Glue
Craft Sticks
Chenille Stems
Optional: Googly eyes, markers, glitter pens, stickers, or sequins for extra decoration

What to Do:

1. Protect the work surface with a disposable tablecloth or craft mat.

2. Have the kids paint a paper plate. Then have them decorate a craft stick. Allow the plate and craft stick to dry completely.

3. Once the plate is dry, fold it in half, and cut the plate in half along this crease. Cut a small curved “V” shape out of the straight, cut edge of both halves.

4. Overlap the two wing pieces slightly with the rounded edges touching each other and paste them together.

5. Cut a chenille stem in half. Glue these two pieces to the back of the craft stick and they will be placed near the top of the head.

6. Apply a good amount of glue along the back of the craft stick to paste it to the center of the wings. Let the glue dry completely.

Photo by Stephanie Felzenberg

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