Let’s fold a dollar bill into a butterfly. If you’ve got a kiddo that likes paper crafts, we’ve got a fun easy origami activity for you today! We are making a dollar origami butterfly in 8 easy steps. This butterfly origami project is perfect for younger kids with a little help and older kids can do it independently. Folding is a craft you can do anywhere, anytime, and doesn’t take any prep! Go grab your dollar bill and get started! Happy folding!

Final result - dollar bill origami butterfly in frnot of an orange background. Craft from Kids Activities Blog — Did you know you can make a money origami butterfly lei too?

How to Fold an Origami Butterfly

Today we are making the coolest dollar bill origami! We are folding a regular dollar bill into a beautiful butterfly. It sounds complicated, but don’t worry…we are going to walk you through every single step of every single fold so it turns out easier than expected!

Related: The best butterfly craft ideas around

You don’t need any special skills and this is a great independent craft for older kids. Younger kids will love the results, but may need some help with the steps. This makes a really fun way to give money as a gift.

Materials Needed

– One crisp dollar bill

Butterfly Origami Instructions

Step 1

Start with a crisp dollar bill. Fold the bill in half crosswise and unfold. Now, fold the bill in lengthwise, creating the foundation for your butterfly.

Dollar bill origami butterfly - Step 1 - Fold the bill in half crosswise and unfold. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog — Ready, set, fold!

Dollar bill origami butterfly - Step 1 - unfold. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog — Now unfold.

Dollar bill origami butterfly - Step 1 - Now fold the bill in lengthwise. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog — Watch your butterfly unfold with each step.

Step 2

Rotate the figure until the fold from the previous step sits at the top, with the free edges at the bottom.

Step 3

Fold both top corners down and unfold them.

Dollar bill origami butterfly - Step 3 - unfold. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog — Now unfold.

Dollar bill origami butterfly - Step 3 - Fold left top corner down. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog — Fold the other corner too.

Dollar bill origami butterfly - Step 3 - Unfold left top corner. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog — And then unfold it.

Step 4

Use the creases you just made to create an inside reverse fold on the right and left corners.

Step 5

Fold the bottom edge of the top layer backward until it meets the triangle.

Step 6:

Fold the top layer in half, and fold the other side of the bill in half as well, make sure it’s symmetric!

Dollar bill origami butterfly - Step 4 - Fold the top layer in half, and fold the other side of the bill in half as well, ensuring symmetry in your creation. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog — Symmetry is key!

Step 7:

Find the slit in the bottom center of the bill. Turn the figure upside down and fold the left edge of that slit down.

Dollar bill origami butterfly - Step 6 - Locate the slit in the bottom center of the bill. Turn the figure upside down and fold the left edge of that slit down. This crucial step lays the groundwork for the butterfly's distinctive features. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog — Turn it upside down.

Step 8:

Undo the fold and use that crease to open the flap on the left and right side, bringing it down as shown in the pictures. Flatten it carefully, shaping the butterfly wings.

Dollar bill origami butterfly - Step 7 - Undo the fold and use that crease to open the flap on the left side, bringing it down as illustrated. Flatten it carefully, shaping the first of the butterfly's wings. Tutorial from Kids Activities Blog — Your butterfly is coming to life!

Step 9:

Repeat the process on the right side of the figure to create the second wing.

Congratulations! Your Dollar Bill Butterfly Origami is now ready to flutter its wings. {giggles}

Tips:

Experiment with other denominations for a colorful array of butterflies.
Cut a pipe cleaner into two parts and glue them to the butterfly’s head to create antennae!
Play with different paper textures and colors to add a personal touch to your creations.

Yield: 1

Dollar Bill Origami Butterfly

Make a beautiful dollar bill origami butterfly in 8 steps!

Active Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Difficulty easy

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

$1 dollar bill

Instructions

Start with a crisp dollar bill. Fold the bill in half crosswise and unfold. Now, fold the bill in lengthwise, creating the foundation for your butterfly.
Rotate the figure until the fold from the previous step sits at the top, with the free edges at the bottom.
Fold both top corners down and unfold them.
Use the creases you just made to create an inside reverse fold on the right and left corners.
Fold the bottom edge of the top layer backward until it meets the triangle.
Fold the top layer in half, and fold the other side of the bill in half as well, make sure it's symmetric!
Find the slit in the bottom center of the bill. Turn the figure upside down and fold the left edge of that slit down.
Undo the fold and use that crease to open the flap on the left and right side, bringing it down as shown in the pictures. Flatten it carefully, shaping the butterfly wings.