My 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 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.
- Gather your materials. You will need some sturdy paper , contact paper , ribbons in your choice of colors , scissors and crayons.
- Have your child color the paper first. I forgot. For really little guys skipping this like I did is probably best, it’s another step that might make it too long. While they do that cut the ribbon.
- Fold your paper and cut out a butterfly shape.
- Cut out the middle.
- Peel the back off your contact paper and press your butterfly on sticky side up.
- Trim.
- Give the butterfly to your child. She just felt it for a minute or two. I just let her explore.
- Hand them the ribbon. She immediately started adding it to the butterfly.
- 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.
- 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. This is her “done” she claps her hands once and says “un!”
- Put it up where your little one can see what they made and know you think it’s fantastic!
Amanda says
I love this ide! This is something J could do and it would be really fun for him. Thanks!
Laura says
This looks like a great idea! So glad my toddler isn’t the only one who likes to fling and eat stuff. = )
Laura says
This looks like a great idea! So glad my toddler isn’t the only one who likes to fling and eat non-edible stuff. = )
Laura says
ugh, sorry about the double comment! Computer acting up. Feel free to delete the first one as well as this comment.
admin says
do not worry my server has been weird too – hopefully I get it sorted soon!
Carolyn says
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!
Allison McDonald says
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.
Kathryn says
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!!!
admin says
All toddlers like to fling – it’s part of the toddler promise!
Lisa Marie Mary says
What an awesome idea! Her ‘un’ is so cute!! 😀
Cheryl says
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!
Cait says
I’ve been looking for a way we can decorate the window for springtime…this is perfect!
Marnie @ Carrots are Orange says
Love this activity. We did a similar thing today but with a shamrock shape. Fun stuff. M is so flippin’ cute.
admin says
Isn’t she getting so big? We need to get our littlest ones together soon!
Buse says
We are going to do this today, thank you for the inspiring idea.
Genieve says
I just did this with my little guy and he absolutely loved it! Thank you for the great idea 🙂
ats says
LOVE this.
Lynda says
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!!!
Bobbi says
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.
Yogamama says
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.
Suzanne says
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!
Diana says
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.
Heather B. says
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!