Faemom Crafts for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Kids

(I got this idea off of Family Fun.  But I decided to do it using coffee filters, which was more fun and messy.  The boys loved building these and playing with them.  It makes walking to get the mail more fun.)

Things you need:

• Smock
• 2 coffee filters
• Markers
• Bowl of water
• Paint brush
• Scissors
• Pipe cleaner
• Yarn

Have the child color the coffee filters with markers.  The more color, the more fun. 

Colored coffee filters

After the child is done decorating the filters, have the child paint them with water, making the colors run. 

Water painting filters

Let the filters dry.  Fold the filters in half to cut out half a butterfly making the wings even on both sides.  (I wish I could have found a template.)  Do not make a head or tail because the pipe cleaner will do that. 

Butterfly cutouts

Have the child fold the pipe cleaner in half and slip the butterfly wings between it. 

The bodies are forming

Cross the ends of the pipe cleaner to form antenna.  You can bend them into little nubs if you like. 

Almost done. Now where's that yarn?

Tie a piece of yarn to the pipe cleaner, long enough to fly the kite behind the child.  If the child wants to flutter the kite, tie two short pieces of yarn to the pipe cleaner.