This adorable DIY Valentine’s Day butterfly craft is a delightful and simple project to celebrate the season of love with kids. Below you’ll find clear, child-friendly steps and a printable template to make these charming butterflies. They’re great for classroom gifts, teacher treats, or a sweet homemade surprise for friends and family.
This is the perfect first craft of the year—bright, cheerful, and easy to customize. Kids will enjoy cutting, folding, and decorating, and adults can prepare a batch of materials for a quick craft session.
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be only about romance. It’s a wonderful opportunity to make playful, heartfelt crafts with children. This DIY butterfly is an easy way to celebrate together and produces a keepsake kids will be proud of.
Most of the supplies are likely already in your craft drawer, making this an ideal last-minute activity.
A printable template is included to simplify cutting the heart-shaped wings and body pieces (see the template image below). Kids can personalize their butterflies with stickers, initials, glitter, or drawings. Tip: For a fun surprise, tuck a few small treats or a tiny balloon inside a butterfly before sealing it—perfect for party favors.
Related Valentine’s Day Crafts
Quilled Heart Frame
Pipe Cleaner Valentine’s Day Wreath
Free Valentine’s Day Owl Printable
When the butterfly’s basic assembly is finished, encourage kids to decorate the wings with markers, stickers, or glitter to make each butterfly unique.
Supplies:
Colorful paper or patterned paper
Cardstock (for sturdier wings)
Scissors
Paper glue or glue stick
Glitter (optional)
Googly eyes
Marker for the face
Instructions
Use the printable template image below to trace heart shapes for the wings and the heart accents. Click or print the template image for the correct sizes.
1. Cut a rectangle of pink paper about 4 inches by 2 inches. Roll it gently and glue the ends together to form the butterfly’s body.
2. Using red cardstock or a contrasting color, trace the smaller heart shape from the template. Fold the cardstock in half and cut along the outline so both sides match.
3. Make a second pair of wings slightly larger than the first by repeating the tracing and cutting process with a different color or pattern.
4. Glue the smaller hearts on top of the larger wings to create layered wings with depth and interest.
5. Add a touch of glitter or sequins to the smaller wings if desired for extra sparkle.
Assembling the Butterfly
6. Glue googly eyes near the top of the rolled body.
7. Cut or trace the heart shape for the center decoration from the template and glue it in the middle of the roll to secure the wings.
8. Attach the wings to the back of the rolled body. Add antennas by gluing thin strips of paper or pipe cleaners to the front top of the roll. Finish by gluing the small heart to the center of the body.
9. Draw a smiley face with a marker to give your butterfly personality.
More fun Valentine’s Day Kids Crafts
Try other simple projects like cereal box mailboxes, glitter slime, or treat-themed crafts for group activities or party favors. These hands-on activities are perfect for preschool and elementary-age kids and encourage creativity while celebrating the holiday.
Pin this craft for later and enjoy making colorful Valentine’s Day butterflies with your little ones.
