The butterfly coffee filter art craft is a wonderful activity to do with multiple ages because it can be tailored to each. My three year old can be learning about the names of colors while his five year old brother is learning what happens when primary colors blend together. Or it can simply be a fun craft! After coloring, you can turn the craft into an activity on butterfly migration.

I also enjoy the simplicity of it. The only materials you need are water-based markers, white coffee filters, and pipe cleaners. There are additional supplies that can come in handy but these are the essentials.

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If you enjoy this activity I encourage you to check out the week’s worth of lessons that it is a part of. The week is all about caterpillars and butterflies, your child will learn about the life cycle in a variety of ways. You’ll find: life cycle activity ideas, a life cycle printable, and coloring pages. The book suggestions include topics on the life cycle and migration. The book, The Mystery of the Monarchs by Barb Rosenstock, is an excellent pairing. Details for conducting the migration activity are at the bottom of the page.

Plan ahead

I prefer beginning this activity in the morning, after breakfast. It is a fun way to “spontaneously” switch up your homeschool day. At least in our homeschool, most fun activities like this are saved for late morning or after lunch. However, if we complete the first part of this craft in the morning then we’re usually able to finish the butterflies by mid-afternoon because the coffee filters need time to dry. You can also plan on splitting the activity over two days but I’ve found my boys are extremely impatient. If we complete it in one day, then they are not waking me up early in the morning asking, “are the coffee filters dry yet?” 

Also, if you’d rather have the instructions condensed, check them out at the bottom of the page.

Now, we’re ready to get into the activity!

Let’s color the wings of our butterflies

To begin, only bring out the filters and markers. The coffee filters will be the wings of our butterflies and we’re going to give their wings the color. First, smooth a filter out in front of your child. Using different colored markers, they should aim to color as much of the filter as possible. The desired effect is achieved with the more color you have. If your three year old doesn’t want to color the entire thing, don’t pressure them. You can offer to help color alongside them and that will usually focus them.

Allow your child to color as many as they want. My five year old, Marty, usually colors four or five. You can also challenge an older child to use primary colors. While Mick, my 3 year old, only manages to color two and we name the colors he’s using. While they color, I sit with them and color a few as well to share with Mick in the next step. 

Adding the water to the filters

Playing with water is so much fun and that’s why this step is very anticipated by my boys. After the filters are thoroughly colored, the markers are put up because otherwise your child may find dipping markers in the water fun. Learn from my experience and put the markers away first.

Then, bring out cups of water, these should only have a drizzle from the faucet, and plates. There are a couple options for how to distribute the water onto the filters. I use these water droppers because we already have them for science experiments. You can also use cotton balls or q-tips, but be careful that when it comes in contact with the filter there is no sideways motion. It should simply be down, press, and back up. The filters will be delicate.

If you are including the primary and secondary colors discussion with your older child be sure to place their filter on a white or neutral plate. Ask them questions such as:

“What color are you wetting now?”

“If yellow and blue blend together, what color do you think they will make?”

What color did yellow and blue make?”

Allow the filters to dry

I bring out my cookie cooling racks now but in the past I have set up plates and trays that cover my entire kitchen. I drape them over the cooling rack’s edges so that they hang down and more will fit. Now your child will have to patiently wait. 

There are two ways that I help my boys pass the time. One we continue on with our daily routine. There are still chores, morning time, outside play, snack time and other lessons we need to complete. 

Even with a full schedule they still manage to be impatient about the filters drying though. I’ve found telling my boys exactly when they should be dry is extremely helpful. I am generous with that time obviously because I do not want to be wrong. If they ask the question, “are they dry yet?” and they will. The first couple times all I have to respond with is a question in turn, “is it after quiet time?” They sulk away but they cease asking. Choose an event that occurs daily, after lunch or after history lessons; whatever fits your family.

The filters are dry, let’s make butterflies

The easiest and quickest of all the steps. Using a pipe cleaner, fold it in half. Encourage your child to twist the fold about half way up so that it looks like one. Now pinch a chosen filter in the middle. Two sides should still fan out. Place it in the pipe cleaner and finish twisting. Leave enough room for the two ends to become antennas by bending them out.

How much your child is able to do in this step will depend. Mick has insisted on doing it himself so I humor him the first time and then after he’s attempted I quickly fix it with some good tight twists. He sees how it should be done and then his twists are much better even if not as tight. After he and Marty have completed their butterflies I will tighten the twist in the middle, around the filters. 

This is also the time I like to end the discussion of primary vs. secondary colors. I ask my five year old what colors he began with and what colors he can now see on his filter. We conclude that colors other than red, yellow, and blue are secondary colors.

Migration of the butterflies.

Once your child has their butterflies made it is time to have them go on their migration. Stand to one side of your yard and explain that the butterflies are in the north where it is summer. Then excitedly exclaim that it is cooling off outside because winter is coming. Have them follow you to the other side of the yard, flying their butterflies. Explain that the butterflies are now in the south where it is still warm. Then, explain that it is warming up and time for their butterflies to fly back north.

Are the butterflies for play or decoration?

My boys of course want to play with their butterflies and I let them. I do request one to hang on our art wall before they run off to climb a tree and have them fly or toss them about in the yard. Since butterflies are difficult to catch, I enjoy making this activity with my boys so they can “hold” a butterfly while we’re learning about their migration and more. 

Would you do this activity any differently? Or have you completed it and have feedback? Please share in the comments below.

If you enjoyed this lesson and want more activities about butterflies be sure to check out Cc is for Caterpillar. This is a part of Letter of the Week, an entirely free curriculum for ages 3-5 that includes themed activities, printables, coloring pages, and book suggestions. If you’re curious to explore the entire program follow the button below.

Butterfly Coffee Filter Art

Instructions