How to Make a Tissue Butterfly

Children enjoy being creative and working with their hands. Crafting is a good way to let them do both. Help your child use his hands to make a beautiful tissue butterfly. Children love the dance of the butterfly and run to capture it, only having to let it go. When they make a tissue butterfly, they can hold it in the palm of their hands, never having to release it. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Decide what you want your tissue butterfly to become. This will determine what you'll need. You can make a single one and put it on a card, you can make a wreath or you can make a mobile. You could also attach them to the child's wall to make it look like they are flying around the room.
2. Get your supplies. Once you have determined what you would like to make with your tissue butterfly, then you are ready to go shopping. Look for supplies in your local craft store, discount store or department store.
3. Select the colors of tissue paper that you would like your butterfly/butterflies to be. You will need at least three colors of tissue, plus one black pipe cleaner for each butterfly you make.
4. Cut your first piece of tissue paper in a five inch by five inch square. Cut the second color into four inch by four inch square. For the third color. you will just tear off six small irregular circles. With the first paper, take your thumb and forefinger on each hand and place the paper behind it with the rest of your fingers. Then, press fingers inward, crushing the paper tight in the center. Leave the edges flared out for the wings.
5. Place glue on the first tissue paper. Adhere the second piece of tissue to the first and repeat step #4. For a more 3D effect, do not use the glue. Secure the pieces together by wrapping the black pipe cleaner around the middle of the tissue to make the body. Cross the top for antennae. Cut of excess leaving about one inch to tightly curl the ends of antennae with pliers.
6. Glue the small circular shapes to make the butterfly markings on the wings. Use double-sided tape to adhere the butterfly to a homemade card or attach it to the wall or child's headboard.
7. Get creative and make a wreath or mobile. For the butterfly wreath, cover and hot glue a wreath of your choice with artificial glittery snow. Glue butterflies all the way around using a variety of colored tissues. To make a mobile, wrap a coat hanger tightly with yarn covering the entire area. Knot strands of yarn to the bottom, cutting different lengths and hang butterflies off by their antennae or body.