DIY Project
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Coffee filter butterflies

Color a coffee filter, mist it with water, pinch it with a clothespin, and it turns into a bright butterfly.

Coffee filter butterflies
LevelBeginner
AgesAges 5 to 8
Time30 minutes plus drying
Cost$2 to $5
SpringSummerDollar storeGroupsRainy day

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Tools

  • Spray bottle with water
  • Tray

How to make it

  1. Step 1: Color the filter
    1

    Color the filter

    Draw dots, stripes and swirls all over a flat coffee filter.

  2. Step 2: Mist it
    2

    Mist it

    Spray it lightly with water and watch the colors run together.

  3. Step 3: Dry it
    3

    Dry it

    Let it dry on a tray for about 30 minutes.

  4. Step 4: Pinch the middle
    4

    Pinch the middle

    Scrunch the filter in the middle like a bow tie. Clip a clothespin over the scrunch.

  5. Step 5: Add antennae
    5

    Add antennae

    Twist a short pipe cleaner around the top of the clothespin and curl the ends.

Edie's tip

Use 2 filters stacked together for fuller wings.

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