Life Cycle of a Butterfly Paper Plate Craft

Kids can learn all about the life cycle of a butterfly while creating a fun and educational paper plate craft that depicts the different stages.

A fascinating process, butterflies transform an egg to a caterpillar, then a chrysalis, and finally transforming into a beautiful butterfly.

This craft is not only a great way to teach children about science and nature, but it also allows them to get creative with different materials and colors to make their butterfly come to life.

Be sure to check out our other fun family-friendly kid activities and crafts!

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What is the Life Cycle of a Butterfly?

The life cycle of a butterfly is a fascinating transformation that begins with the egg stage, where a female butterfly lays her eggs on a plant.

Once the eggs hatch, caterpillars emerge and begin to feed on the plant, growing larger and shedding their skin several times.

Eventually, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis or pupa around itself and enters the metamorphosis phase. Inside the chrysalis, the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly, undergoing a complete physical transformation.

Finally, the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis and flies away to begin the cycle anew.

This process of growth and transformation is a captivating journey for children to explore and learn about.

Additional Butterfly Fun!

But don’t let the fun stop there!

A Butterfly Life Cycle Sensory Bin is a fun and interactive learning activity for young children to explore the different stages of this beautiful creature.

Butterfly books for children will help them understand just what a butterfly has to go through to become a beautiful insect. Butterflies are an amazing way for kids to learn about the amazing life cycle of nature.

You’ll love this colorful butterfly craft made with coffee filters and pipe cleaners. Or try this edible butterfly life cycle!

The life cycle of a butterfly is a fascinating process, from an egg to a caterpillar, then a chrysalis, and finally transforming into a beautiful butterfly.

Butterfly Paper Craft

When you’re done with this craft, expand your child’s learning with these delightful butterfly books and butterfly life cycle sensory bin!

Now let’s get started on this fun and educational activity

Supplies:

large white paper plate
Black marker
Ruler
Green construction paper
Brown construction paper
Blue construction paper
Glue
Scissors
White rice
Pasta: Rotini, shell, bow tie

Life Cycle of a Butterfly Directions:

in process plate - divide into sections with a marker

Divide the paper plate into four sections using a ruler and black marker.

in process 2 - adding leaf and caterpillar

Cut out a leaf using the green construction paper. Glue it to a section of the paper plate. Glue rice on top (eggs.)

Cut a branch out of the brown construction paper as well as a small green leaf. Glue to the next section of the paper plate. Glue a rotini noodle on the branch (caterpillar.)

In the third section, cut out and glue another brown branch. Glue a shell from the branch (chrysalis.)

In the final section, glue the bow tie pasta (butterfly).

close up of completed paper plate life cycle of a butterfly

Label each section with a marker: eggs, caterpillar, chrysalis, butterfly.

Draw arrows to each section.

completed life cycle of a butterfly paper plate craft activity

Cut a rectangle out of a blue piece of construction paper and glue in the center of the paper plate. Write “Life Cycle of a Butterfly.”