If your house is anything like mine, there’s always a stack of shipping boxes waiting to be recycled. Instead of tossing them in the bin, why not turn one into an adorable nature craft? These Cardboard Nature Butterflies are inexpensive, easy to make, and a fun excuse to get the kids outside exploring. Bring them on your next hike, trip to the park, neighborhood walk, or even your own backyard.
Supplies Needed
- Cardboard – You can use Amazon boxes or cereal boxes, just keep in mind that the thinner the cardboard, the easier it is to cut the wings out.
- Scissors or a utility knife (parents help needed here)
- A marker to draw your butterfly shape.
Instructions: How To Make Cardboard Butterfly Cutouts
- Start by cutting a square from a piece of cardboard, about 12 x 12 inches or so—there’s no need to measure perfectly! Just make it a size that’s easy for little hands to hold.
- Next, draw a butterfly with big wings, a body, and two antennae. Using a sharp pair of scissors or a craft knife (grown-up job!), carefully cut out the inside of the wings to create open spaces.
- Now comes the best part—head outside and search for colorful flowers, leaves, and other pretty bits of nature to fill your butterfly’s wings!
Make It A Fun Outdoor Game!
Turn this recycled butterfly craft into a fun outdoor scavenger hunt by challenging your kids to see how many different flowers they can find or count all the colors they spot in nature. They can even create butterflies inspired by real species—use bright orange flowers for a Monarch, blue petals for a Blue Morpho, or pretty pink blooms for a Pink Cattleheart. Keep your eyes peeled while you’re exploring because you might even spot a real butterfly fluttering by! This simple nature craft is a wonderful way to get kids outside, moving, and appreciating the beauty all around them.
Take This Recycled Craft To A Whole New Level
If your kids can’t get enough of this fun nature craft, here’s an easy way to make it even more exciting! After cutting out your cardboard butterfly, place a sheet of clear contact paper on the back of the wings with the sticky side facing out. Then head outside and let your little ones collect colorful flowers, leaves, and other nature treasures to stick onto the contact paper. It’s a simple twist that creates gorgeous butterfly wings and lets kids get even more creative while exploring the outdoors!
