This pretty butterfly is easy to make with just two craft materials. Use the butterfly as a finger puppet for pretend play, or as a table decoration! This is a fun craft to add to your summer theme. 

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Butterflies can be spotted fluttering through gardens in spring and summer, but they are fun to explore any time of year!

Making butterflies is especially fun using simple instructions and a variety of interesting materials.

We've made butterfly crafts in a few different ways:

•  clothespin butterflies
•  felt fabric butterflies  
•  butterflies with green leaves for wings

These little insects are fun for kids to explore in books, in arts and crafts, and in natural environments.

Here are a few ways to add butterflies to your spring theme:

• Explore butterflies in a nature study unit, like this one from Carrots are Orange.
   
• Observe the life cycle, from Buggy and Buddy.
  
  
• Learn more about habitats, including a feeder from Reading Confetti.
  
  
• Discover what it's like to raise butterflies in the classroom at Pre-K Pages blog.

Lace butterfly craft for kids

This pretty butterfly needs only two materials to get started - lace trim and a chenille stem or pipe cleaner. 

There's lots of opportunity in this activity to be creative.

Instructions

1. Choose a chenille stem for the body of the butterfly.

2. Choose a cotton lace trim with a pattern resembling butterfly "wings".

3. Cut out the "wings" section that will become your butterfly wings. 

                       Step 1                            Step 2                              Step 3                               

4. Bend the chenille stem in half in half.

5. Place the butterfly wings on the chenille stem, leaving more length toward the bend.

6. Twist the open ends at the top together to form antennae; twist the closed end next to the lace cutout to secure the body of the butterfly. The extra chenille stem will form a circle.

The chenille stem circle can be used in two ways:

• as a stand to support the butterfly as it sits on a table
  
  
• as a loop to go around your fingers for a finger puppet

You can be creative with your butterflies.

• Decorate the wings with markers.
• Spread glue on the wings and add glitter or sequins.

It's fun to watch colorful butterflies in the spring as they spread their wings and flutter through the air.

Kids can make their butterfly puppets soar up and down through the air too!

 Butterfly and Caterpillar Pinterest board