Butter(cup)fly Craft: An Easy Nature Craft for Kids Using Wildflowers
If you've seen the viral dande(lion), then it's time to meet its sunny little cousin... the Butter(cup)fly!
This simple nature craft turns an old cereal box into a beautiful butterfly decorated with real wildflowers. It's a lovely way to encourage children to get outdoors, spot different flowers and create something unique using materials you already have at home.
Perfect for a sunny afternoon, this easy recycled craft combines creativity, nature and a little bit of adventure.
What You'll Need
- An empty cereal box
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Wildflowers (buttercups work beautifully, but any small flowers will do)
How to Make a Butter(cup) Fly
Step 1: Create Your Butterfly
Start by flattening your cereal box.
Using the folded spine of the box as the butterfly's body, draw a large butterfly shape across the cardboard. The fold will form the centre of your butterfly and help create a lovely symmetrical shape.
Once you're happy with your design, carefully cut it out.
Step 2: Add the Flower Holes
Using a pencil, gently poke holes across the butterfly wings wherever you'd like your flowers to go.
Top tip: this is much easier if you place the cardboard on a soft surface. Doing this outside on the grass works perfectly and helps protect your table too.
You can create a random pattern or arrange the holes in rows and shapes.
Step 3: Go on a Wildflower Hunt
Now for the fun part.
Head outside and see what flowers you can find. Buttercups are ideal (hence the name!) but daisies, clover flowers and other wildflowers work beautifully too.
This is a great opportunity to slow down and explore what's growing nearby. Children often love spotting different colours, shapes and sizes as they collect their flowers.
Remember to only pick common flowers and leave plenty behind for bees and other pollinators to enjoy.
Step 4: Decorate Your Butterfly
Carefully poke the flower stems through the holes you've made in the cardboard.
As you add more flowers, your butterfly will start to come to life with colour and texture.
Try creating patterns, rainbow wings or even mixing different flowers together to create your own unique design.
No two Butter(cup) Flies will ever be exactly the same.
Why We Love This Craft
At Let's Make & Do, we're always looking for creative ways to turn everyday materials into something magical.
This craft is:
- Quick and easy to set up
- Uses recycled materials
- Encourages outdoor exploration
- Supports creativity and fine motor skills
- Creates a beautiful piece of temporary nature art
Best of all, it's completely free to make using things you already have at home.
Try Your Own Butter(cup)fly
If you make a Butter(cup)fly, we'd love to see it. Share your creations on social media and tag @LetsMakeAndDoHQ so we can admire your wildflower masterpieces.
Happy making!