Kids Frugal Fun-Coffee Filter Butterflies

This is an activity I did with my students when I taught the 2nd grade life cycle unit.  I had totally forgotten about it until a friend was talking to me about her daughter’s butterfly themed birthday party. This activity can be as simple or as elaborate as you and your child choose.  I have included optional materials at the bottom in case you want to go all out in your creation!  Of course as a teacher, I must add that you should definitely take the time during this craft to discuss the butterfly life cycle.  For those of you who have forgotten it, I have included that as well. Have Fun!

Materials:
coffee filter
pipe cleaner
markers
spray bottle with water

Directions:
1. Use the markers to color the coffee filter.
2. Spray the coffee filter with water, wetting enough for colors to blend.
3.  Blot with papertowel or allow filter to dry on it’s own.
4.  Pinch the filter in the middle and wrap the pipe cleaner around it to create the body.  You can shape the excess pipe cleaner into an antennae.
5. Fan out the wings.

Optional Materials:
googly eyes
stickers to decorate “wings”
magnet (to glue onto pipe cleaner so you can make the butterfly into a fridge magnet)
fishing line ( if you want to hang the butterflies)
watercolor paints (to use in place of markers)
food coloring (to use in place of markers)
glitter

Butterfly Life Cycle
Stage 1: Egg
Stage 2:  Caterpillar (larva)
Stage 3:  Chrysalis (pupa)
Stage 4: Butterfly
**HERE is a site that has illustations to the life cycle, plus tons of FREE printable activites!