Recycle your ordinary Bubble Wrap and craft it into 8 easy Butterfly activities, that you can do with your kids!
Bubble Wrap and Butterflies!
In this post, I shall show how you can recycle your bubble wrap, and turn it into a simple and easy butterfly craft for kids, so hold on to your bubble wrap!
EIGHT IDEAS FOR BUTTERFLIES!
There are numerous ways to utilize bubble wrap and craft butterflies, and I will list at least eight of them, from that list, I will demo two!
LIST OF IDEAS!
LET’S ELABORATE!
To begin with, I will demo how to make a straight forward easy bubble wrap butterfly, with a symmetrical style.
So Step 1. is the symmetrical butterfly, or use it as part of Step 2.
Then you will then be crafting a layered winged butterfly, combining Step 1 and Step 2.
1) A SYMMETRICAL BUTTERFLY.
Here is a break-down on how to quickly craft a symmetrical bubble wrap butterfly.
WHAT TO USE.
Take a rectangular piece of bubble wrap and a smaller rectangular piece.
APPLYING PAINT.
On one side of the rectangles, dab with acrylic paint, dots or a simple pattern, with different colours.
FOLD TO TRANSFER.
Now fold rectangles in half and gently press down, so that the paint adheres to the other side, pull apart to separate them and leave to dry.
WHEN DRY NEXT STAGE.
Once both rectangles are dry, scrunch each up in the middle and tie with cotton thread.
FINISH OFF WITH A PIPE CLEANER WRAP.
Grab a pipe cleaner and tie both scrunched up butterflies together in the middle. Make sure the ends of the pipe cleaner are even and twist to form the antennae or feelers.
This is one of the butterflies I shall demo see below.⇓
RESOURCES
2 sheets of bubble wrap. One A4 and the other, slightly smaller.
Acrylic paints/brushes.
Scissors
Pipe cleaners.
Cotton spool.
Newspaper. (for protection)
2) LAYERED WINGED BUTTERFLY.
RESOURCES.
1 White blank template of a butterfly.
1 symmetrical bubble wrap butterfly. (as above).
Double-sided tape/glue stick./scissors.
A pipe cleaner, any colour.
Googly eyes.
Spare-painted bubble wrap pieces.
For the layered winged butterfly, follow the above instructions.
Now take your blank white butterfly, (see below for template idea).
Glue the symmetrical butterfly, to the middle with double-sided tape.
Once the middle is attached, you can glue all the edges all the way around, so that the bubble wrap is lifted, resulting in a 3D effect.
Where white parts are showing, you can cut smaller sections of coloured bubble wrap and glue to cover blank spaces, using a glue stick.
Shape the pipe cleaner around the face and cross over glueing them to the white feelers with pieces of double-sided tape. Stick on googly eyes and you are done!
To create a white blank template of a butterfly, simply follow the instructions below.
3) WRAPPED EFFECT.
RESOURCES.
1 White blank template of a butterfly.
Strips of bubble wrap.
Scissors/glue stick.
Coloured felt-tip pens.
Googly eyes
Cut out strips of bubble wrap. Have a blank butterfly ready.
With these strips start to wrap them around the butterfly, to give a mummified look or sculpture effect. Stick in place with a glue stick.
For the body, just run a long strip of bubble wrap and leave long bits to extend below, giving the butterfly a different floating finish, when the child is flying it.
You can colour the wraps up, with felt-tip pens, or keep them clear.
4) TEXTURED BUTTERFLY.
RESOURCES.
1 template of a white blank butterfly.
A small piece of bubble wrap.
Different coloured acrylic paints.
Medium-sized brushes.
Newspaper to protect painting area.
(A black card was used for demo purposes).
This is the second demo. ⇓
Have a white cut-out of a butterfly ready.
Now grab some bubble wrap and dot coloured acrylic paints onto it.
Carefully press this onto the white butterfly rub gently to transfer the bubbly effect, then peel it off.
This will give a textured effect to the butterfly. Then embellish how you like.
As shown above, in the three images, this is a simple activity to craft with your kids.
5) MOSAIC BUTTERFLY.
RESOURCES.
1 Template of a white blank butterfly.
Bubble wrap.
Acrylic paints (any colours).
Scissors/glue stick.
Dab with paint brushes, different acrylic colours onto some bubble wrap, and allow to dry.
Cut up into squares, then stick onto a white blank butterfly.
This will give you a mosaic appearance to the butterfly.
6) EMBELLISHED BUTTERFLY.
RESOURCES.
1 White blank butterfly template.
Bubble wrap.
Double-sided tape.
Scissors.
Acrylic paints/Brushes
Googly eyes.
Apply acrylic paint to bubble wrap use as many colours as you like.
Allow to dry.
Cut small pieces out and then scrunch, twist, or roll and stick onto a blank butterfly with bits of double-sided tape, giving it a 3D jewel-like effect.
Add googly eyes to finish it off.
7) TWISTED BUBBLE WRAP BODY.
RESOURCES.
This is a repeat of the Textured butterfly.
1 Blank white butterfly template.
Bubble wrap.
Acrylic paints (any colours).
Googly eyes, (your choice).
Brushes/Scissors.
Double-sided tape.
Cut a long piece of bubble wrap and paint how you like. Roll it up and glue it to hold it in place with double-sided tape.
Attach the body glueing it to a blank butterfly, or make a textured version following one of the examples above.
Add googly eyes to finish it off.
8) STAMP BLOCK BUTTERFLY.
RESOURCES.
1 White blank butterfly template.
Some strips of brown packaging card. approx. 30/40mm wide.
2 or 3 Acrylic paints/plate.
Brushes/Scissors.
Double-sided tape.
Cut smallish squares of bubble wrap and stick onto cut-out thick cardboard squares.
This is done, by taking long strips of recycled card, roll up and secure with double-sided tape. Glue bubble wrap with double-sided tape onto the rolled-up card.
Make a few for different colours.
You have now made easy stamps to apply the bubbly effect of square colours onto a blank white butterfly.
Layer, overlap or leave white spaces in between squares. When completed, cut the butterfly out.
I have shown you up to 8 ways to use your bubble wrap and create all these different styled-out butterflies.
Furthermore, I hope I have inspired you to create your take on a bubble wrap butterfly, as I am sure there are more ways you can use your bubble wrap!
SOME TIPS!
- Once you have got your template of a butterfly then you are good to go.
- Bubble wrap is quite a versatile material so as you can see it can be used in different ways.
PAINT WET OR DRY.
- The paint should be wet for the symmetrical, texturing, and stamped block transfer.
- For all the other styles of butterflies, the paint needs to dry before you can cut, shape and stick.
CUT OUT OR NOT?
- Whether you craft one bubble wrap butterfly or all of them, once they are completed you can cut them out, this way your kids can flap them about, or if the painting is not too messy keep them as a picture and don’t cut them out. Then you can trim around and stick to a coloured A4 card for presentation.
GLUEING.
- I found double-sided tape stuck the bubble wrap onto the card more secularly, also it holds the embellishments well, but for light sticking the glue stick will do.
BEAUTY OF BUTTERFLIES!
Butterflies are exquisite creatures, yet they come from a bug or as we know it, a caterpillar!
Check out my previous post, ‘Egg Carton Insect Craft’ as I demo how to make a caterpillar, also there is a short video showing the cycle of a Caterpillar.
THE JOY OF BUTTERFLIES!
The butterflies’ lives are short-lived, but provide us with the glory of flutters amongst our bushes and shrubbery and add a little sparkle to our gardens.
Not only do children’s faces light up when they catch a glimpse of one, but they are alerted to chase after them in the hope that they might catch one, that’s if they are lucky and do, but to be ever so careful as not to crash their wings!
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A BUTTERFLY?
The transition from a bug to a butterfly is a unique and another one of nature’s miracles.
Within our school, you can witness this right before your eyes!
CATERPILLAR INTO A BUTTERFLY!
I have an opportunity to record the progress of caterpillars, as their journey begins and they metamorph into beautiful butterflies.
I shall photograph whenever I can, from the caterpillar to the cacoon stage, then into a butterfly.
So far within one week, these tiny caterpillars have grown super quickly and in another week they should be inside their cocoons or catalysts!
ONCE THEY ARE BUTTERFLIES!
Butterflies will embrace our skies fluttering from plant to plant, bush to bush, tree to tree spreading their glory!
POLINATION TAKES PLACE!
Like the bees, butterflies would transfer pollen, from their bodies and legs, when they touch down on the next plant or vegetation pollinating as they go!
This is their role, and they will continue until their surmise from 2-4 weeks, some may last longer!
This cycle of a caterpillar starts during the mid-spring season onto the warmer weather.
By the end of the second week, and the start of the third week, there was an explosion from the cacoons and out emerge these beautiful butterflies.
They were ready to be released into our gardens to do what they know best!
BUTTERFLIES AND SYMMETRY!
Butterflies have bilateral symmetry. So when you draw a line down the middle and fold over their wings they would be identical mirroring each other.
These beautiful creatures, are attracted to bright-coloured plants and their patterns help to camouflage them from seeking hunters!
This video does a great job in explaining things a bit more clearer.
Hey there, when you click on links in this post and you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission that l can use towards resources (other than throw-outs) for project making within my website😀
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Would you like your kids to share the same experience and see their very own caterpillars grow into butterflies?
Baker Ross can offer just that.
Watch the life cycle of your caterpillars and when they become butterflies, you can release them into your gardens!
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Exciting article! The format is fun and easy to follow. I like your links.
Good job, as far as I’m concerned.
Respectfully,
Janice
Hi Janice, thanks for your support and liking another one of my projects! As Spring is once again upon us, we take for granted all the lovely creatures that nature has to offer! The Butterfly is just one of them, so I wanted to present it by utilizing bubble wrap in many different ways to bring to life this species, but in a creative way!
I also hope PoundFun and Baker Ross are useful sites to compliment this post, and viewers can benefit one way or another!
Thanks for your super comments!
Julia. ?
I am always looking for fun activities to do with my grandchildren and trying a few of these butterflies will fit the bill nicely. We can have fun and help the planet by repurposing bubble wrap. Thanks for the wonderful ideas.
Hi there, so happy you liked this project, and you can have lots of fun with your grandkids crafting some butterflies!
Bubble wrap is a very useful resource and can be used in many ways than one, and not just for protecting goods in transport!
I like how it’s texture can provide a means to an end in crafting too, and quite a versatile material to work with.
Also whatever we can do to help our planet, is a plus in my books!
Thanks for your super comment, and Happy Crafting!
Julia.?
Everything in this article is so nice, the layout and design, and of course the tutorials, so very in-depth and step-by-step, love it! Can’t wait to create together with my little niece these wonderful butterflies!
Hey Lizzy’ I’m glad you liked the ideas behind crafting these butterflies! and that you found the guidance and instructions on how to craft helpful!
I think there is something to be said on how we can upcycle quite alot of our throw-out materials and come up with some interesting ideas, especially showing kids what they can do with it, and at the same time learning how to re-invent ordinary rubbish!
Thanks for your super comment, and hope your niece enjoys her creations!
Happy Crafting!
Julia.?
Hey Julia,
I am going up to my hometown Liverpool in July, so between now and then I am going to do my best to learn your easy butterfly craft.
I can help not only my niece and nephew how to do this, but my friend’s children.
I will share your article with my friends and see if they would like to look into your other lessons for their kids too.
I will be the number 1 uncle if I can show my niece and nephew how to do this in the summer 🙂
Thank you for sharing and keep these great articles coming.
All the best,
Tom
Ha ha, Hi Tom I value your comments and enthusiam! It’s great to know I have you on my side, and so keen to learn too!
Pick a butterfly you like the most, and of course can gather the right resources and don’t worry you will be good to go,
and I am sure even if you make a booboo, kids these days, will laugh it off and probably show you how to do it!
It has happened to me where there is always one smart kid that will nudge you aside, and tell you not that way, this way lol!
Bubble wrap is interesting and if you are not bothered much about the symmetrical value, then just using the bubble wrap for texture purposes can look great too!
So once again thanks for your inspiring comments.
Happy Crafting!
Julia.?
Wow, Julia, this butterfly craft extravaganza is like a flight of creativity! From symmetrical butterflies to textured wonders, you’ve covered the entire spectrum of bubble wrap magic. As I read through your detailed instructions, I couldn’t help but imagine the joy on kids’ faces as they bring these fluttering beauties to life.
But here’s the burning question: With so many options to choose from, which butterfly craft do you find kids enjoy the most? Is there one that consistently sparks their imagination and keeps them buzzing with excitement? I’d love to hear your insights on which of these bubble wrap butterfly creations truly takes flight in the hearts of young crafters!
Hi Chas, thanks for dropping by!? It’s great to hear you enjoy the range of butterfly crafts within this post!
Once I started I couldn’t stop, I kept finding different ways to use bubble wrap lol!
As for which ones kids would like, well I would say the easiest for them to do, and I have seen kids enjoy is the textured version. Where they can press the bubble wrap and transfer the colours on to a blank outline of a butterfly. Although it can be a bit messy, but hey, kids don’t care they love a bit of colour here and there, up on their arms, faces and clothes! whoops, mums collect in horror!!! But, it’s all about the experience and learning on how to, or what comes next, or what happens if…..that comes with fun crafting!
Once again a big thanks for your excellent comment and…..
Happy Crafting!
Julia.?