We had a great time making these coffee filter butterflies. These are easy to make and a lot of fun! We used things we had around the house. That is one joy of unschooling – finding an activity to do for something we are interested in.

This is a great follow on from the egg carton caterpillars we made based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar book. Check out the video.

LET’S MAKE COFFEE FILTER BUTTERFLIES

You will need:

• Round coffee filters
• Washable markers or water color paints
• Small spoon or spray bottle
• Water
• Trays or cookie sheets
• Pipe cleaners

What to do:

1. Put 2 coffee filters on top of each other and flatten them as much as possible
2. Using washable markers create your design. Don’t worry if it doesn’t go through to the bottom filter. That will happen with the next step.
3. Put the filters (still stacked on each other) onto cookie sheets or trays and drop or spray water on them until the filters are wet but not sopping.  NOTE: Do NOT add too much water as you don’t want a blobby mess of paper (and it will take too long to dry)

**If you are using water color paints then paint each filter 

4. Keep the filters laying flat to dry. If it is a nice day outside put them out in the sun. You can also dry them in a very low temperature oven for about xx minutes. 
5.  Separate the filters.
6. Fold the filters in an accordion fold 
7. Place the folded filter strips on top of each other with folds facing front
8. Twist a pipe cleaner in the middle to make a V. Curl the ends to make the antennae
9. Separate the folds and shape the wings

Alternate butterfly:

You will also need clothespins, googly eyes and a hot glue gun.

Follow steps 1-7

8. Glue 2 googly eyes onto the clothespin
9. Cut a pipe cleaner into 2 inch (5cm) pieces and curl into antennae
10. Glue the antennae onto the back of the clothespin
11. Secure the wings in the clothespin

We love making crafts. Check out some of the other crafts that we have made.
Homemade Musical Instruments
More Homemade Instruments
Popcorn Balls
Paper Pumpkins