Butterfly Life Cycle

What's all the flutter? Learn about the butterfly life cycle with our colorful butterfly craft for kids.

Ages: 8 and up, Tween and up, 6 and up

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CIY Staff

Create It Yourself

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

Pencil(s)
Upcycled Cardboard

Steps

Step 1

Sketch circle on cardboard. Cut out.
Step 10

Add details to cardstock and Model Magic with markers.
Step 11

Write 4 stages of life cycle on cardboard: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly.
Step 12

Let learning take flight with your colorful creation!
Step 2

Cover cardboard in light blue paint. Dry 1–2 hours. Add second coat. Dry 1–2 hours.
Step 3

Paint clouds on cardboard. Dry 1–2 hours.
Step 4

Sketch and cut out cardstock leaf, caterpillar body, chrysalis, and butterfly body.
Step 5

Sculpt Model Magic eggs, caterpillar eyes, caterpillar antennae, branch, butterfly eyes, and butterfly antennae. Dry overnight.
Step 6

Glue leaf to cardboard. Glue Model Magic eggs to leaf.
Step 7

Glue caterpillar body to cardboard. Glue Model Magic eyes and antennae to caterpillar.
Step 8

Glue chrysalis to cardboard. Glue Model Magic branch to chrysalis.
Step 9

Glue butterfly body to cardboard. Glue Model Magic eyes and antennae to butterfly. Let all glue steps dry 1–2 hours.

Crafts

CIY Staff Tips

When completing steps 6–9, we recommend working clockwise around the edge of your cardboard circle in order of life cycle stage.

#StayCreative

Creativity is a life skill that helps children reach their full potential. Our mission is to spark the creative moments children will carry with them for the rest of their lives.

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