But I'm Crazy About You, You Butterfly!

 

Get ready to spread your wings and let your creativity soar with this fluttering butterfly project! Follow these step-by-step instructions to bring your own little flying friend to life.

DIY Fluttering Butterfly

Materials Needed

• Coloring Supplies (crayons, markers, or colored pencils)
• Scissors
• Wooden Dowel (or a similar stick)
• Paper Straw
• Tape
• Butterfly Drawing or Template
• Optional: #TableSettingIsMyLife Butterfly Template

• Optional: #TableSettingIsMyLife Butterfly PDF

• Bonus: Crafting Tunes 🎵 Check out our crafting playlist on YouTube.

Here's a 30-second visual guide, accompanied by inspirational music to entice your crafting spirit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Color and Cut Your Butterfly Template

Begin by coloring in your butterfly template. Be as creative as you like with your color choices. Color the wings and two body pieces. Then cut all the parts out.

Step 2: Assemble the Butterfly Body

Take one of the two butterfly body pieces and tape it securely to the wooden dowel, positioning the stick in the center of the body.

Align the second body piece with the first, ensuring both sides match up, then tape them together.

Step 3: Attach the Wings

Flip your butterfly wings upside down. Tape the butterfly body to the bottom of the wings, ensuring that the wings are centered on the body and the butterfly’s head sticks out from the wings.

Step 4: Prepare the Paper Straw

Cut a slit down the center of the paper straw, stopping a little less than halfway down. Flatten out both sides of the straw to create a flapping mechanism.

Step 5: Create the Flapping Motion

Slide the wooden dowel inside the paper straw.

Tape the flattened sides of the straw under the wings on both sides. Pro Tip: The secret to achieving a smooth flapping motion is to tape as little of the straw touching the paper wings as possible—just enough to hold everything together. I attach the straw to the tape and the tape to the paper, not the straw to the paper. Makes sense?

Step 7: Bring Your Butterfly to Life

Now, gently move the straw up and down along the wooden dowel to make your butterfly flap its wings. You did it, you crafting legend. Now go watch as your beautiful creation comes to life, fluttering gracefully in the sky!

Share Your Creation

We’d love to see your colorful butterflies in action! Share your completed project with us in the comments below or on social media. 🦋

For more totally family friendly crafts, check out our previous Crafts with Katie posts.