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February 28, 2012 | 31 Comments

Toddler Butterfly Craft

spring craftsMy toddler is in the eating paper phase and the fling the paint phase. We are still having fun with paint but when we do my camera is safely on a shelf since I need two hands to wipe down the playroom walls. Today while her brother was at school, we made this mess-free toddler butterfly craft with ribbons something she has no desire to eat or fling.

If your toddler’s reaction to an activity frustrates, you find a way to connect and create with them that doesn’t push your buttons. I say all the time how if we make the challenge too great for our kids they shut down and stop learning well it goes for us too. If I am frustrated I am not connecting with my child and getting angry about exploration serves no one. Don’t give up on the messy stuff (they need it)  just try it again when you have the patience to deal with their exuberance. This toddler butterfly craft is pretty but far less messy than some crafts!

Toddler Butterfly Craft

  1. Gather your materials. You will need some sturdy paper, clear contact paper, ribbons in your choice of colors, scissors, and crayons. Toddler butterfly craft materials
  2. Have your child color the paper first. I forgot.  For really little guys skipping this as I did is probably best. It’s another step that might make it too long. While they do that cut the ribbon.
  3. Fold your paper and cut out a butterfly shape.
  4. Cut out the middle.butterfly craft
  5. Peel the back off your contact paper and press your butterfly on sticky side up.bug theme for daycare
  6. Trim.
  7. Give the butterfly to your child. She just felt it for a minute or two. I just let her explore.bug craft
  8. Hand them the ribbon.  She immediately started adding it to the butterfly.toddler easy crafts
  9. No need to help unless they seek it, every now and then I would say ” That’s a nice red ribbon.” or ” You found a yellow one.” but it wasn’t a constant dialog.
  10. They will let you know when they are done. Activity will slow, items may start finding the floor… just know that toddlers typically won’t spend long on a structured activity like this and don’t feel like you are doing anything wrong .  We spent about 5 minutes total on this toddler butterfly craft. This is her “done” she claps her hands once and says “un!”
  11. Put it up where your little one can see what they made and know you think it’s fantastic!Completed toddler butterfly craft

 

Filed Under: Age: Toddlers, Beginners, Butterfly, Preschool Crafts | 31 Comments

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31 Comments

  1. Amanda says

    February 28, 2012 at 10:16 am

    I love this ide! This is something J could do and it would be really fun for him. Thanks!

    to Amanda" aria-label='reply to this comment to Amanda'>reply to this comment
  2. Laura says

    February 28, 2012 at 11:06 am

    This looks like a great idea! So glad my toddler isn’t the only one who likes to fling and eat stuff. = )

    to Laura" aria-label='reply to this comment to Laura'>reply to this comment
  3. Laura says

    February 28, 2012 at 11:06 am

    This looks like a great idea! So glad my toddler isn’t the only one who likes to fling and eat non-edible stuff. = )

    to Laura" aria-label='reply to this comment to Laura'>reply to this comment
  4. Laura says

    February 28, 2012 at 11:08 am

    ugh, sorry about the double comment! Computer acting up. Feel free to delete the first one as well as this comment.

    to Laura" aria-label='reply to this comment to Laura'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      February 28, 2012 at 12:30 pm

      do not worry my server has been weird too – hopefully I get it sorted soon!

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
      • Carolyn says

        February 15, 2016 at 1:55 pm

        From a kindergarten teacher:

        The fact that a toddler can’t stick with a project of this sort
        is totally NORMAL. It looks to me like the parents ae so anxious to do
        art projects, but the little ones aren’t ready for them. Please wait until
        they are preschool age. Parents and kids will enjoy it so much more!

        to Carolyn" aria-label='reply to this comment to Carolyn'>reply to this comment
        • Allison McDonald says

          February 21, 2016 at 4:41 pm

          Of course, it is normal but it is also normal for kids at this age to totally enjoy it just like my daughter did. I wasn’t nor have I ever forced any child to do any project. Many toddlers are totally into creating things and exploring the materials and many are not. Follow your child and their interests but don’t wait for some arbitrary age to explore creative materials.

          to Allison McDonald" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allison McDonald'>reply to this comment
  5. Kathryn says

    February 28, 2012 at 11:08 am

    LOVE this idea! I totally agree that a project that pushes your buttons isn’t worth doing! This will be perfect for us! I’ve always loved your site!!!

    to Kathryn" aria-label='reply to this comment to Kathryn'>reply to this comment
  6. admin says

    February 28, 2012 at 12:39 pm

    All toddlers like to fling – it’s part of the toddler promise!

    to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  7. Lisa Marie Mary says

    February 28, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    What an awesome idea! Her ‘un’ is so cute!! 😀

    to Lisa Marie Mary" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lisa Marie Mary'>reply to this comment
  8. Cheryl says

    February 29, 2012 at 8:50 am

    I just found your blog today – saw the 75 books list on Pinterest, decided to stay awhile!
    This is such a cute craft. I have a special needs 6 year old that would love this craft!

    to Cheryl" aria-label='reply to this comment to Cheryl'>reply to this comment
  9. Cait says

    February 29, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I’ve been looking for a way we can decorate the window for springtime…this is perfect!

    to Cait" aria-label='reply to this comment to Cait'>reply to this comment
  10. Marnie @ Carrots are Orange says

    February 29, 2012 at 11:15 pm

    Love this activity. We did a similar thing today but with a shamrock shape. Fun stuff. M is so flippin’ cute.

    to Marnie @ Carrots are Orange" aria-label='reply to this comment to Marnie @ Carrots are Orange'>reply to this comment
    • admin says

      February 29, 2012 at 11:28 pm

      Isn’t she getting so big? We need to get our littlest ones together soon!

      to admin" aria-label='reply to this comment to admin'>reply to this comment
  11. Buse says

    March 1, 2012 at 4:35 am

    We are going to do this today, thank you for the inspiring idea.

    to Buse" aria-label='reply to this comment to Buse'>reply to this comment
  12. Genieve says

    March 1, 2012 at 12:24 pm

    I just did this with my little guy and he absolutely loved it! Thank you for the great idea 🙂

    to Genieve" aria-label='reply to this comment to Genieve'>reply to this comment
  13. ats says

    March 3, 2012 at 12:18 pm

    LOVE this.

    to ats" aria-label='reply to this comment to ats'>reply to this comment
  14. Lynda says

    March 7, 2012 at 9:58 am

    I did this with my 2 1/2 and 1 1/2 year old the other day but I used clear contact paper and tissue paper then once they were done with the tissue paper I put another clear contact on the other side kinda like laminating it… hung in windows and looked gorgeous!!!

    to Lynda" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lynda'>reply to this comment
  15. Bobbi says

    April 14, 2012 at 10:41 am

    Great idea for a kid (and not so kid) craft. I like the idea of putting another clear sheet over the top at the end to “laminate”. Thanks for the great picture tutorial.

    to Bobbi" aria-label='reply to this comment to Bobbi'>reply to this comment
  16. Yogamama says

    June 14, 2012 at 3:26 pm

    My little one loved this so much that I couldn’t hang up the butterfly for days. I just used packing tape overlapped to make a sheet since I didn’t have contact paper handy and it worked great. I blogged about it here: http://toddlefast.blogspot.com/2012/05/butterfly-craft.html We LOVE your website btw.

    to Yogamama" aria-label='reply to this comment to Yogamama'>reply to this comment
  17. Suzanne says

    July 3, 2012 at 3:07 pm

    I made this today with my 17 month old son. I didn’t have any ribbon so I let him tear up some colored tissue paper then he stuck that on the contact paper. It actually worked out really well, it gave him something fun to do & the light kind of comes through the paper when it’s in the window. He’s a very busy boy & I wasn’t sure this would hold his attention at all, but I got a few minutes out of him! It turned out really cute!

    to Suzanne" aria-label='reply to this comment to Suzanne'>reply to this comment
  18. Diana says

    February 18, 2013 at 7:57 pm

    Thank you for posting this and helping me feel that I’m not the only one that gets frustrated with the mess of certain activities. I always feel terrible and guilty by being a fun-sucker. I’m working on it though =)

    Awesome idea! Gonna try it out with the kiddos.

    to Diana" aria-label='reply to this comment to Diana'>reply to this comment
  19. Heather B. says

    October 22, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    Did this today with 2, 21 month olds and they both enjoyed it! Just changed the shape to a spider for Halloween and they put in shapes for the face. Great idea! Love your site, thanks for all the ideas!

    to Heather B." aria-label='reply to this comment to Heather B.'>reply to this comment
  20. Derick Gisselle says

    September 18, 2018 at 6:49 am

    Wow, It’s an amazing craft idea. I like your idea. A butterfly is favorite for all kids and it’s simple craft. Kids are very easy understanding for making a butterfly. You share the info is absolutely right. Thanks for sharing great ideas.

    to Derick Gisselle" aria-label='reply to this comment to Derick Gisselle'>reply to this comment

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