Spring is the perfect season to learn about the butterfly life cycle. It is fascinating to see how a small egg transforms into a beautiful butterfly.
I came across a colourful craft on Buggy and Buddy that uses a paper plate to show each stage of a butterfly’s life. This project is wonderful for kids as it clearly demonstrates how caterpillars change into butterflies. Enjoy crafting this fun activity with your family.
Supplies for Butterfly Life Cycle Paper Plate Craft
- A paper plate
- A black marker
- Acrylic paints
- Scissors
- Glue
- A pencil
- Tissue paper (use green for the chrysalis and other colours for the butterfly)
- A foam brush
- Small white pom poms
- Green construction paper or cardstock
- White construction paper or cardstock
- Pipe cleaners (brown for the chrysalis, black for the butterfly, and other colours for the caterpillar)
Step to Make a Butterfly Life Cycle Craft
Step 1. Paint the Plate: First, paint the whole paper plate with acrylic paint and let it dry.
Step 2. Make Sections: Cut a circle from white paper, glue it to the middle of the plate, and draw a black “X” to make four parts.
Step 3. Eggs Stage:
- Cut out a small leaf shape from green paper. Draw lines on it to look like veins.
- Stick white pom poms on the leaf for eggs.
- Glue this leaf onto one section of the plate.
Step 4. Caterpillar Stage:
- Take two different coloured pipe cleaners, cut them to 6 inches, and twist them together.
- Wrap the twist around a pencil, then slide it off.
- Glue this curled shape next to the eggs.
Step 5. Chrysalis Stage:
- Cut a small rectangle of green tissue paper and twist the ends to look like a chrysalis.
- Glue this to a short piece of brown pipe cleaner.
- Stick it on the plate next to the caterpillar.
Step 6.Butterfly Stage:
- Choose two colours of tissue paper and cut them into small squares.
- Scrunch up the middle and wrap a short black pipe cleaner around it.
- Glue this butterfly onto the last section of the plate.
Step 7. Label the Stages: With a black marker, write “eggs,” “caterpillar,” “chrysalis,” and “butterfly” under each section.
