In this BLOG post, I will teach you how to make coffee filter butterflies, the benefits of crafting and ways to extend your learning and play.
This craft is a CLASSIC. It is highly likely that you created these at some point during your kindergarten year, teachers have kept us crafting and creating since way before social media existed!!
This craft uses simple materials, and it is so beautiful and unique every single time.
They are perfect in the spring or summer but truly fun year-round!
Crafts like this can be used with kids of all ages. Everyone from a toddler to a teenager can enjoy creating these beautiful butterflies! They can also be incredibly calming and a simple way to incorporate self-regulation strategies into your home, classroom or therapy space. They provide something for children (or adults) to focus on and pour their creative energy into.
The best part is, they are also cost effective. If you have a Dollar Store near you, you can make these cuties for $3-$4!
Materials:
Coffee filters
Washable markers
Pipe cleaner OR
Clothespin
Spray bottle with water OR
Paintbrush with water
Step 1: Gather your materials. We like to do this activity on top of a piece of butcher paper or on a sensory tray/baking sheet.
Step 2: Use the markers to color in the coffee filters. For each butterfly, you want to color two filters. Use one color or multiple colors, totally up to you!
Step 3: Once you have colored the coffee filters, you are going to use your paintbrush or spray bottle to saturate them with water. This makes the colors blend and swirl together and is SO pretty!
Step 4: Lay the coffee filters flat and let them dry completely.
Step 5: Fold the filters accordion style (back to front, back to front). Lay them on top of each other and secure in the middle with a pipe cleaner OR clothespin.
The paintbrush and spray bottle methods both work equally as good, and both help to strengthen motor skills as they create. You want the coffee filters to be completely saturated but not soaking wet. A thin layer of water works best to swirl the colors and dry quickly.
When they are wet, the color can transfer onto hands or surfaces. It washes off hands with a bit of soap and water.
Want to extend your learning and play?
Use this crafting experience to discuss color names and color mixing. What happens when you mix red and blue together?
Experiment with a variety or markers: Which colors are the most vibrant? Which are the easiest to color with?
Try different methods of folding the coffee filters. Does the accordion folding work best? What happens if you scrunch them together instead?
We use two coffee filters. What happens if you use four? five?
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