Coffee Filter Butterflies

While visiting Chicago, my Mom wanted to try a craft she read about "somewhere".  We were going to make butterflies using coffee filters, paint and pipe cleaners.  She couldn't remember exactly what we were supposed to do or where she had seen the craft but my mom and I fancy ourselves clever so we decided to wing it (pardon the pun).  Our initial attempt to make the butterflies was a huge success.  Genna made one butterfly, then another, and another . . . you get the picture.  This craft was amazing!  It held the attention of a 2 1/2 year old for well over thirty minutes and, over a year later, Genna still asks to make butterflies.  Genna is now old enough that I can set her up with all the supplies and she will happily prepare the butterfly wings on her own.  I still need to help with the assembly.  This craft is so easy and fun I just have to share it with you.

Supplies:
Round Coffee Filters
Pipe Cleaners (any color will do but I tend to use black or brown)
Paint or Paint Pens (the latter are hassle and mess free and easy to use)
Water
Paint Brush (1 if you use paint pens, otherwise 1 per color + 1 for the water)
Paper Towels

Steps:
1. Gather your supplies

2. Using the paint or paint pens decorate the coffee filter.  Be sure to use a lot of color and go all the way to the edge so that your butterfly is not dull once assembled.

3.   Dip the paint brush in water and brush it all over the painted coffee filter.  Be sure to get the filter wet enough that the color starts to bleed.  Place the coffee filter on a paper towel to absorb the excess water and to keep the work area clean.

4. Let the filters dry for a few minutes until they are damp but not soaking.  Fold a pipe cleaner in half to form a "V" and place the coffee filter between the two ends.  Make sure you have equal amounts of coffee filter on either side of the pipe cleaner.

5. Push the filter down to the bottom of the "V". Gather the filter in the center and twist the pipe cleaner closed just above the filter.  Snip the ends of the pipe cleaners to a good length for butterfly antenna.

6. Once the butterflies are completely dry you can do any number of things with them.  Two of our favorite uses are decorating cards and hanging them from the blades of the ceiling fan so the butterflies are "flying" in the room. 

We've also tied them to string and run with the butterflies trailing behind us.  Another use I have thought of but not yet done is to attach a longer pipe cleaner to the bottom of the butterfly and use it as a puppet. 

If you have little ones you should try this quick, fun and relatively mess free craft.