Making a butterfly with paper is easy with this paper mache butterfly craft! This paper mache butterfly craft is great for kids of all ages like: toddlers, preschoolers, and even kindergarten kids. Making a butterfly is a great craft for at home or in the classroom!
Paper Mache Crafts For Kids: Butterfly – Flutter! Flutter!
We LOVE paper mache crafts for kids. Besides being great messy fun, paper mache teaches kids that somethings are worth waiting for. Butterflies have beautiful designs that range from simple to breathtaking. This fun craft is engaging for children of all ages! They can explore beautiful butterfly designs, and make up designs of their own.
Related: The best butterfly craft ideas around! & How To Make a Paper Butterfly Craft
This simple Paper Mache Butterfly is a great introduction craft to paper mache. It requires the simplest shape to which cardboard is glued before the painting starts.
Aside from being fun, this butterfly craft is also great for demonstrating symmetry in a hands-on way. It is also the perfect project to celebrate the end of lessons on the life cycle of the butterfly.
Related: Learn How To Make Paper Mache, Make an Easy DIY Butterfly Feeder & Butterfly Food Recipe, and Beautiful Free Printable Butterfly Coloring Pages, and Easy & Fun Paper Weaving Craft for Kids
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Supplies Needed To Make Paper Mache Butterfly Craft
- Newspaper
- Paper mache paste (a little wallpaper paste with some craft glue mixed in)
- Cardboard
- Wire & pliers
- Glue gun
- Paint & brushes
Directions To Make Paper Mache Butterfly Craft
Step 1
Start by scrunching up a sheet of newspaper into the shape of the butterfly’s body.
Step 2
Secure it with sellotape/clear adhesive tape. Cover this with just one layer of newspaper strips dipped in your paper mache paste.
Step 3
Leave it overnight to dry!
Step 4
Next cut your cardboard wings. I used corrugated cardboard to add a little texture to our butterflies. However, plain cereal box cardboard will work just perfectly.
Step 5
With your pliers cut two pieces of wire (I sacrificed a wire coat hanger for this project!!)
Step 6
Roll one end back onto itself, safer than having a pointy bit!
Step 7
With your glue gun, attach the wings to either side of the butterfly’s body.
Step 8
With a craft knife, tweezers or other pointy thing make two holes in the top of the body, just large enough for the wire antennae to slide into. You don’t want the holes too big or the antennae will fall out.
Step 9
With your glue gun again, put a drop of glue at the end of each wire antennae before you insert into the holes. Hold in position for a few seconds while the glue dries.
Step 10
Now your butterfly is ready……. ready for the exciting painting bit.
Sky’s the limit on the color combinations and patterns you children can try. Let their imagination guide them!
Enjoy!
Making A Butterfly With Paper Mache
Making a butterfly with paper mache is super simple! Kids of all ages will love making this butterfly craft! It's messy, fun, and budget-friendly!
Materials
- Newspaper
- Paper mache paste (a little wallpaper paste with some craft glue mixed in)
- Cardboard
- Wire
- Paint
Tools
- Pliers
- Glue gun
- Brushes
Instructions
- Start by scrunching up a sheet of newspaper into the shape of the butterfly’s body.
- Secure it with sellotape/clear adhesive tape. Cover this with just one layer of newspaper strips dipped in your paper mache paste.
- Leave it overnight to dry!
- Next cut your cardboard wings.
- With your pliers cut two pieces of wire.
- Roll one end back onto itself.
- With your glue gun, attach the wings to either side of the butterfly’s body.
- With a craft knife, tweezers or other pointy thing make two holes in the top of the body, just large enough for the wire antennae to slide into.
- With your glue gun again, put a drop of glue at the end of each wire antennae before you insert into the holes. Hold in position for a few seconds while the glue dries.
- Now your butterfly is ready……. ready for the exciting painting bit.
More Fun Paper Crafts From Kids Activities Blog
- Have you tried this paper mache rain stick?
- Did you know you can use paper mache to make a fake moose head?
- This Shark Paper Plate is so easy to make.
- Get creative with these Paper Bag Coiled Baskets.
- Remember making these Easy Paper Fans?
- Use up leftover paper bags to make this Paper Bag Octopus Craft!
- Take a look at this easy painting of beautiful butterflies!
- Learn how to draw a butterfly!
- See all these fun things you can do with toilet paper rolls!
How did your paper mache butterfly craft turn out?
What a fun paper mache idea! This paper mache butterfly turns out really cute even with younger crafters.