How to Make a Butterfly With Wire Coat Hangers

You can use wire hangers to create a beautiful butterfly.

Every time you come back from the dry cleaners you end up with a pile of wire hangers that take up space in your closet. Put those cumbersome hangers to good use in an easy kids' craft. With little more than wire hangers, glue and paper, you can create a beautiful butterfly to display in your child's room. Now you have a way to utilize all those wire hangers and an afternoon's worth of entertainment for the kids.

Things You'll Need

• 2 wire coat hangers
• Pipe cleaners
• White tissue paper
• White glue
• Markers, sequins, glitter or watercolor paints for decorating
• Fishing line

Instructions

Tissue Paper Butterfly

1. Bend the hook of one wire hanger toward the shoulder with the open end of the hook bending down. This will be the butterfly's antennae. Repeat with the other hanger.

2. Place the two hangers on top of each other so that the hooks match up with one another. Wrap pipe cleaners down from the hooks to the bottom of the shoulder, attaching the two hangers together. The pipe cleaners form the butterfly's body.

3. Spread the outside of the wire hangers apart to slightly separate the frame for the butterfly wings.

4. Use your fingertips to lightly cover the frame of your butterfly's wings with glue.

5. Place one sheet of tissue paper on either side of one butterfly wing. Smooth the paper and trim off any excess. Repeat on the second wing.

6. Use markers or paints to decorate your wings. Use glue to attach sequins or glitter, if desired. Attach fishing line to hang the butterfly.

Tips & Warnings

• Decorate your butterfly wings carefully so you don't tear the tissue paper.

• Make multiple wire hanger butterflies to create a butterfly aviary in your home.

• Hang butterflies at different heights for more visual appeal.

References

• San Diego Zoo: Kid Territory: Crafts: Tissue Paper Butterfly