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.

Insect Lore Butterfly GardenButterfly Craze Girls’ Butterfly WingsD.Q.Z Kids Fairy Butterfly Wings CostumeCrayola Paper Butterfly Science Kit

 

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.

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:

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

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).

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

Draw arrows to each section. 

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.” 

Additional Butterfly Fun!

But don’t let the fun stop there!

• Butterfly Life Cycle Sensory Bin
• Butterfly Books for Children
• Butterfly Craft
• Edible butterfly life cycle