Ideas for Butterfly Crafts for Kids
Re-creating real life colorful insects like butterflies with mediums such as paper, paint and watercolors are a few ideas for kids' crafts. Implementing a variety of crafting techniques for different age ranges can capture a child's imagination. You can also incorporate unwanted items into butterfly crafts, inspiring young artists to transform the items into recycled art.
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Paper Butterfly
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Incorporating an accordion paper fold transforms the wing shape into a three-dimensional object, giving life to the butterfly craft. Printed, textured or colored craft paper adds surface interest. Folding a square or rectangle shaped paper up approximately ½ inch in width and then creasing along the fold line creates the first fold of the accordion folding technique. Alternating the fold pattern in ½-inch intervals completes the wing. Twist colorful pipe cleaners into a vertical shape. Glue the folded wings to the pipe cleaners to finish the paper butterfly.
The Recycled Butterfly
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Transform coffee filters and Popsicle sticks into a recycled masterpiece. Paint the Popsicle sticks and let them dry. Add glitter glue for a different dimension. Bunching up the center of the circular coffee filter automatically creates a wing. Older kids can cut two filters into a large and small shape and glue to the back of the decorated Popsicle stick. Incorporate the craft as a teaching tool to discuss the parts of the butterfly. For example, the fore- or front wing refers to the large upper wing and the hind- or back wing refers to the lower section.
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Beaded Butterfly
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Jewelry-making elements like flexible beading wire allow the kids to create a variety of wing shapes. Stringing different bead mediums like crystal, glass and wood transform the wire into life-like butterflies. Wrapping the wire with green floral tape or using silver plated and copper beading wire adds a colorful finish to the project. Keep in mind the higher the gauge number, the thinner the wire, easing the shaping process.
Butterfly Mask
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Whether celebrating Mardi Gras or Halloween, children can personalize and customize a butterfly mask to express individual style. Trims like sequins, feathers and beads as well as markers, paint and glitter are a few ideas to decorate the mask. Parents can print out butterfly templates as a guide for small children to decorate and color. Adhere silver, copper and gold plated jewelry-making wire to the butterfly to transform the art into a hand-held mask.
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References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
