Make a Butterfly Costume

Let’s Be Curious! Find out what your child already knows about butterflies. If your child hasn’t seen a butterfly yet, research photos online together. Ask your child, “What do you notice? What does it use to fly? To eat?”

Let’s Make a Plan! Look at the butterfly diagram together and point out its different parts to your child: head, antenna, abdomen, wings and mouth.

Let’s Explore! Disassemble the empty cereal box by cutting along the edge of one side panel. Lay the box flat with a side panel in the center of the front and back panels. (You can also use cardboard or poster board for larger wings.) Draw wings on each side of the cereal box, using pictures of butterflies to help with the shape.

Cut out the butterfly wings.

Think about the butterflies you observed to inspire the colors and patterns you use on your wings. Decorate the wings with different colors and patterns. Use tissue paper, colorful paper, fabric or paint to create color and patterns for your wings.

Between the wings, punch two holes at the top and two holes at the bottom.

Thread the yarn through the holes, creating two loops. Tie the ends together.

Optional: Make antennae with the headband and pipe cleaners or cardboard strips.

Let’s Share! Help your child put on the wings and invite them to pretend to be a butterfly! Encourage them to fly around the room or outside.

Ask your child, “How do butterflies fly? Where do they live? How do they eat?” Invite your child to answer these questions as a butterfly, and if they need help, research answers together. For example, encourage your child to drink like a butterfly with the reusable straw. To make the wings fly, consider tying a thin string to each wing and having your child flutter them.

Share what you’ve discovered with a family member or friend, describing each part of the butterfly.