The theme of my daughter’s sixth birthday was butterflies. I had a design in my mind. My design involved some sort of butterfly in the center of white paper pinwheels. I also wanted pink butterflies to attach to the napkins. This vision led to a shopping experience for the perfect butterfly. I never found it. On my search, one of the stores pointed out a miniature folded butterfly sticker. I liked the concept and design, but the papers used didn’t match my colors. However, seeing these, I knew I could recreate the idea. Therefore, I came up with a folded paper butterfly pattern and set to work. Today I get to teach you how to make a folded paper butterfly. I will provide you with a template for free and even include a quick video tutorial.
These butterflies are fun and easy to make. My kids even had fun making their own. With a little help, even my 4 year old son could do it. It would make an enjoyable kid craft, decoration or component of a lesson on butterflies.
Materials Needed to Make a Folded Paper Butterfly
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- Free Printable Large Butterfly Template or Small Butterfly Template
- Patterned Paper
- Floral Wire
- Scissors
How to Make a Folded Paper Butterfly
- Print out the free template in the size you want, trace onto paper and cut out the shape.
- Fan fold the butterfly back and forth until completely folded.
- Find the center of the folded paper and cut out a triangular notch.
- Cut a length of wire. Leaving a small loop at the bottom. Twist a bit of the wire around itself.
- Wrap the wire around the center of the butterfly, and twist the top of the wire around itself a small length to secure the paper in place.
- Trim wire to length, leaving enough left over to make the antennas.
- Using a pencil, fold the end of the wire around the tip to create the rounded antennas.
Have fun making these with your kids!
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How did we use these for the party? I added them to the center of these pinwheels. If you need a pinwheel tutorial, you can find one here. We also used them for the napkin decoration, but I’ll share that when I share more of the actual party post.
More Butterfly Birthday Party Ideas
Butterfly Birthday Invitations
Can you send the butterfly template as a pdf or a word doc.? My computer will not open the file. Thanks.
I just sent a pdf to your email, and I updated the post to be a pdf. Sorry you were having issues. Also, I’ve been out of town this weekend with limited internet, so I didn’t get back to you as promptly as I would have liked. Hope you didn’t need it two days ago. Thanks!
Can you use fabric instead of paper?
I don’t imagine it would hold its shape. I’ve never tried. If I wanted to try and do fabric, I think I would use starch and iron it into place as best I could. Let me know if you try it and how it works.
What a cute summercraft! My kids will love this! I can’t find the template anywhere… Can you send it as PDF please?
Thx, Miep
The link is in the supply list, but here it is for your convenience. Thanks! Have fun with it. https://meaningfulmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Butterfly-fold-printable.pdf
how do I get the template for butterfly pattern. Please send to my email address..thank you.
There’s a link in the supply list, but here it is for your convenience. I will also email it to you. Thanks. https://meaningfulmama.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Butterfly-fold-printable.pdf