Making butterfly wings

Simple crafting fun made from cardboard

Text last updated: 2025-09-09

Wings up and go: there's plenty of flapping fun to be had with these homemade wings

The colorful cardboard wings are easy to make and are perfect for dressing up, role-playing or as a creative activity at home or at a children's birthday party. And the best thing is that every child can design their own wings.

© Diakonie Michaelshoven

This material is needed:

  • A large sheet of cardboard, for example from a shipping box
  • Crayons, watercolors, wax paints or acrylic paints
  • brushes and a cup of water
  • rubber bands or wide household rubber bands
  • scissors (or a cutter - but only with adult help)
  • punch or a pointed object for piercing
  • decorative material for decorating such as glitter, stickers, feathers, colored paper, etc.

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This is how it works: Step-by-step instructions

  • Step 1: Draw the wing shape

    Draw a large butterfly wing shape on the cardboard. Tip: If you fold the cardboard and only draw one side, the shape can be mirrored and both wings will be the same size.

  • Step 2: Cutting out

    Carefully cut out the wing shape with scissors or alternatively use a cutter knife, although children should never use this alone. An adult should do the cutting out for smaller children.

  • Step 3: Holes for the elastic bands

    Punch two holes on the left and right on the inside edge of the wings - approximately at shoulder height. The elastic bands will be pulled through these holes later.

  • Step 4: Thread the elastic bands

    Thread the elastic band through each hole and knot into a loop. The straps should later be pulled over the shoulders like rucksack straps. Tip: Measure the length on the child beforehand!

  • Step 5: Now it's getting colorful!

    The wings can be imaginatively and freely designed: Colorful patterns, dots, spirals, stripes - anything goes! Glitter, stickers, feathers or pieces of paper can also be glued on as the fancy takes you.

  • Step 6: Allow to dry - put on - fly away!

    Once the paint has dried, the wings can be put on. Simply pull the elastic bands over the shoulders like backpack straps - and the butterfly is ready!