This butterfly paper plate craft is one of the easiest ways to make a big, colorful butterfly. Kids color a pattern on the plate, cut it in half, scallop the edges into wings, and add a pom pom body.
We like colored pencils for this one because it’s mess free, but markers, crayons or paint all work.
What You Need for This Paper Plate Butterfly Craft
Butterfly Paper Plate Craft (visual directions + template)
Get the printableWhite paper plate
View on AmazonColored pencils, markers or paint
View on AmazonKid scissors
View on AmazonGlue
View on AmazonPom poms
View on AmazonPipe cleaners
View on AmazonGoogly eyes
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How to Make a Paper Plate Butterfly
Color the plate
Color a fun pattern across the whole plate. Stripes, dots, swirls and rainbows all make great wings.
Cut the plate in half
Cut straight across the middle of the plate to make two halves.
Shape the wings
Cut curves along the rounded edge of each half so the wings look a bit like a cloud.
Join the wings
Overlap the two halves slightly in the middle and glue them together.
Make the body
Glue a line of pom poms down the middle, with the biggest one at the top for the head.
Add the eyes
Glue two googly eyes on the head pom pom.
Add antennae
Glue two pipe cleaners behind the head, bend them outward, and curl the ends.
Ways to Use It
- Hang a kaleidoscope of butterflies from the ceiling
- Pair with the butterfly life cycle paper plate craft
- Talk about symmetry and make both wings match
- Add glitter for extra sparkle
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Paper Plate Butterfly Craft for Preschool, Pre-K and Kindergarten
Preschool
Paint, glue and decorate. You handle the tricky cutting, and kids point to each picture step as they go.
Pre-K
Trace the template and cut the straight lines. Follow the visual steps in order.
Kindergarten and up
Cut out every piece, add their own details, and retell the steps in order.
Get the Printable Visual Directions
Doing this with a group? The printable has picture steps for every part of the butterfly, plus a template you can trace.
🎟️ Blog reader deal
Use code BUTTERFLYPLATE at checkout to get this craft free.
What’s included
- A picture supply list
- Visual step-by-step directions
- Photo step cards
- A printable template
- Instant PDF download, nothing is shipped
Perfect for
- Preschool and kindergarten classrooms
- Special education and speech therapy
- Following directions practice
- Thematic units
- Homeschool art time
Paper Plate Butterfly Craft FAQ
Have kids color a pattern on one half, then copy it on the other half so the wings match.
Ages 3 to 6. Preschoolers paint and glue with a little help, and kindergartners can trace and cut the pieces themselves.
Yes. Crayons, markers or torn construction paper work too and are less messy.
You can freehand the pieces, but the template and picture steps help kids work on their own and make it easy to do with a class.
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We love seeing these activities out in the wild: the lumpy letters, the snack breaks, the proud “I made a B!” moments. Leave a star rating, tell other parents what worked (and what totally didn’t), and add a photo of your setup if you’d like.
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