Spring is almost here and this paper plate butterfly craft is perfect for celebrating the beautiful weather!
We love paper plate crafts for kids and make them often because they’re easy, cheap and super fun.
This butterfly craft is great for preschool, kindergarten and elementary-aged children and is great for fostering creativity!
Read on below or watch our video tutorial to see how simple it is to make with your kids or students.
Butterfly Craft For Kids
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Supplies
- Paper plates
- Paint in bright colors (we use this brand)
- White card stock
- Colored pipe cleaners
- Googly eyes
- Markers
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
- Glue stick
- Tape
- Stickers/embellishments (optional)
- Butterfly craft template (download form located at the end of this page)
Directions
Download our free printable butterfly template, print on white card stock and cut out the pieces.
Paint one paper plate in the color you want the wings to be. Paint the other paper plate yellow, for the butterfly body. Let dry completely before going on to the next step.
Place the butterfly wing template pieces on the wing paper plate, trace and cut out. Place the butterfly body template on the yellow paper plate, trace and cut out.
Put the butterfly wings next to each other so they are almost touching. Put glue along the back of the butterfly’s body and glue the body on top of each of the wings.
Push the adhesive googly eyes onto the head portion of the butterfly’s body.
Use a pink marker to draw on two little cheeks underneath the eyes. Use the black marker to draw on a smile between the cheeks.
Use the markers to draw details along the body. We used orange to make thick stripes on the body. You can do whatever you want including spots, thin stripes or anything else you can think of!
Decorate the wing details with the markers. Add any other embellishments you want on the wings. We used adhesive sequins in similar colors. You can also use stickers for this.
Take your pipe cleaner and cut in half. Wrap a bit of one end around a marker. Unloop it and make it loosely curled in. Repeat for both antennae.
Flip the butterfly over and place the antennae on the back. Use a small strip of tape to secure them to the back. You can also use glue dots, liquid glue or a glue stick, but we think tape is the easiest way!
Cute Butterfly Craft
That’s all there is to it! It’s a simple butterfly craft kids will love making this spring!
The great thing about this craft is it’s 100% customizable. If you make this butterfly craft in a group, like at school or the library, we guarantee every child will have their own unique butterfly at the end.
If you liked this craft, you’ll probably also enjoy making this handprint butterfly craft.
There are so many different choices to decide on, from the paint color to the patterns, to the pipe cleaners and embellishments!
Simple Ways To Make This Craft Simpler
We’re always looking for ways to adapt our crafts to even the youngest of little ones. We think it’s super important for moms to craft with all the kids!
To simplify this craft, we have a few ideas.
First, if you’re low on time or don’t want a mess, skip the painting. Instead buy cheap colored paper plates from the dollar store. We’d suggest going with bright spring colors like yellow, green, blue, purple and pink!
Second, skip the embellishments. Little hands may get frustrated trying to put small stickers all over their butterfly. Instead, let them make their decorations just with the markers.
Related: Insect Sensory Bin
Finally, skip the antennae or make them for your child. This is probably the trickiest part and toddlers and preschool children will need help from an adult to curl them. If you don’t want to skip this part, simply have pre-cut, straight pieces for the kids to tape on.
We’re sure however you end up making these butterflies, the kids will love them!
Share With Us
Did you make this paper plate craft with your kids or students?
We’d love for you to snap a picture of your completed project and share it with us by posting on our Facebook page’s wall or in our private Facebook group.
Leave us any tips or comments you had with it too, please! We can’t wait to hear what you have to say.
More Spring Crafts
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Spring Ideas For Kids
Paper Plate Butterfly Craft
Make this cute and easy paper plate butterfly craft with the kids this spring!
Materials
- Paper plates
- Paint in bright colors
- White card stock
- Colored pipe cleaners
- Googly eyes
- Markers
- Glue stick
- Tape
- Stickers/embellishments (optional)
- Butterfly craft template (download form located at the end of this page)
Tools
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
Instructions
- Download the butterfly template, print and cut out the pieces.
- Paint one paper plate in the color you want the butterfly wings to be. Paint the second paper plate yellow for the body. Let dry completely.
- Place the wing template on the first paper plate, trace and cut out the wings.
- Place the body template on the yellow paper plate, trace and cut out the body.
- Place the wings with the insides almost touching each other. Place glue along the back of the butterfly body and glue it on top of the wings.
- Glue the googly eyes to the top of the head.
- Use the markers to draw on cheeks and a smile. Draw on any details on the butterfly's body or wings.
- Add any embellishments to the wings.
- Cut a pipe cleaner in half and wrap on end loosely around the marker. Uncurl and shape it to look like an antenna.
- Flip the butterfly over and tape the antennae to the back.
