There may not be a more nostalgic project for kids than those that are made with handprints! It’s so sweet to look back at them over the years.
One of the best things about these easy butterfly handprints is that they’re so simple to make. You only need a handful of craft supplies that you most likely already have, and a few cute little hands to get started.
Butterfly handprints are also the perfect craft to make in the spring. They can tie in perfectly to a storytime around the changing seasons, after reading a book about insects, plants, or even how weather changes in the seasons.
Handprint animals are a fun way to start teaching kiddos about nature and they are super cute too! Bonus: They make great gifts for grandparents, and these butterflies would be perfect for a Mother’s Day craft.
Be sure to check out our other handprint craft ideas and projects for even more inspiration!
Why Kids Love Handprint Crafts:
- They get to actively help with the project, and it’s great for teaching tracing and fine motor skills.
- Once their butterfly is complete, they can play with it, add decorations, or use it in a story while playing make believe.
- When they see a butterfly (or other animal) in a book, in nature, or on a TV show, and they make their own version, it encourages and teaches them more about the animal.
What You’ll Need to Make Your Butterfly:
- different colors of cardstock paper (you’ll need 2 colors per butterfly)
- scissors
- pencil or pen
- glue stick or low temp hot glue gun
- small google eyes
- popsicle or craft sticks (1 per butterfly)
- pipe cleaners (1 per butterfly)
How to Make it/Tips for Assembling:
- Fold a piece of cardstock paper in half and trace the handprint at the fold line. This creates your wings.
- Cut the handprint out to create a mirrored hand shape. Don’t cut along the folded part of the cardstock, as that will split your butterfly in half.
- Fold, trace, and cut the handprint again on a different color of paper.
- Glue the two handprint colors onto the back of a popsicle stick.
- Add google eyes with glue and draw on a smile, or decorate to your preference.
- Cut a piece of pipe cleaner, bend into a “V” shape, and curl the ends around your finger to make an antenna. Glue onto the back of the stick.
Other Kids Craft Ideas:
- How to Make Oobleck (Goop)
- Paper Plate Rainbow Lion
- How to Make Slime – with Glue, Baking Soda, Contact Solution
- Kids Paper Daisy Crown (with Free Template)
Kids can hold onto the stick and move up and down to make the wings flap. So cute!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you store a paper butterfly?
Store butterfly flat and you can play with it again and again!
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to make?
This handprint butterfly takes about 5 minutes of prep time and 10 minutes to make.
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Get the How-To
Supplies
- 2 pieces of cardstock (in preferred colors)
- 1 piece popsicle or craft stick
- 2 pieces googly eyes
- 1 single hot glue gun (can also use glue dots)
- 1 single pencil or pen
- 1 piece of pipe cleaner (in preferred colors)
Instructions
- Fold a piece of cardstock paper in half and trace handprint at the fold line. This creates your wings.
- Cut the handprint out to create a mirrored hand shape. Don't cut along the folded part of the cardstock, as that will split your butterfly in half.
- Fold, trace, and cut the handprint again on a different color of paper.
- Glue the two handprint colors onto the back of a popsicle stick.
- Add google eyes with glue and draw on a smile, or decorate to your preference.
- Cut a piece of pipe cleaner, bend into a"V" shape, and curl the ends around your finger to make an antenna. Glue onto the back of the stick.