Kids can make this easy butterfly craft for Valentine's Day or any day of the year. The heart shape cut-outs and fluffy cotton provide creative sensory play for kids in preschool and kindergarten. 

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This butterfly craft is so easy, it's a perfect go-to for your toolkit. 

Kids will love designing and creating a heart shaped butterfly to use as a puppet or a Valentine decoration. Your butterfly can be the star of the puppet show or flutter through a Valentine garden.

This cute little butterfly is easy to make with a craft stick and heart shape cut-outs. The activity engages fine motor and creative skills with scissor practice and construction of the butterfly. 

A heart shaped butterfly craft is a great addition to your Valentine theme or spring unit. 

How to make a Valentine butterfly

Support this as an open-ended project, by providing a variety of colors and textures, and allowing kids to explore materials in their own ways.

• The amount of time spent on this or any activity will depend on kids interest and skill levels.
  
  
• Every butterfly will be unique, according to kids designs and early developmental skills. Ensure each child explores the materials at his or her own pace, and creates a unique butterfly based on their interpretation and imagination.

Supplies need for a Valentine butterfly

• construction paper
• chenille stem or pipe cleaner
• craft stick
• cotton balls
• white glue
• scissors (affiliate links)

You can provide pre-cut heart shapes with the link below. Or make a cardboard template for kids to trace around. 

Heart Shapes PDF

Print the downloadable heart shapes.

Kids can draw and cut out their own heart shapes for an even more child-led activity. 

Instructions for a paper butterfly craft

1. Glue the heart shapes together at the points to make the butterfly wings.

2. Twist a chenille stem or pipe cleaner around the top of the craft stick to form antennae.

3. Glue the craft stick to the center of the wings to form the body of the butterfly.

4. Stretch a cotton ball slightly to lengthen. Glue the fluffy cotton to the craft stick body.

Provide as many options as you prefer to finish the butterflies.

• Decorate the wings with stickers, crayons, or glitter glue.

Then take your butterfly puppet onto the stage to perform in a puppet show.

 Or get kids moving, swooping their butterflies across the room.

Valentine Crafts and Activities

Valentine crafts on Pinterest