If you’re looking for a simple, screen-free activity to do with your toddler or preschooler, this toilet paper roll butterfly is one of our new favorites. We made this one together as a family, and it’s the kind of craft that keeps little hands busy, builds fine motor skills, and turns a bit of trash into something they’re proud to show off.
Best part? You probably already have everything you need sitting around the house.
What You’ll Need
- An empty toilet paper roll
- Construction paper (a few different colors work best for the wings)
- A4 paper (for extra wing layers or backing, if you want)
- Crayons or markers
- A glue stick
- Scissors
That’s it — no screens, no special supplies, no stress.
How to Make It
1. Prep the body. Wrap or cover the toilet paper roll in a solid color of construction paper (we used a soft teal/mint). This becomes the butterfly’s body and face.
2. Draw the face. Let your child draw the eyes, nose, and a big smile with crayons or markers. Don’t worry about perfect shapes — the wobbly, hand-drawn look is what makes it theirs. Our kids gave their butterfly two friendly round eyes, a little triangle nose, and a wide grin.
3. Cut the wings. Fold a sheet of construction paper (or A4 paper) and cut out two wing shapes — ours had a jagged, pointed edge that gave the wings some texture and personality.
4. Color the wings. This is the fun, messy part. Let your kids go wild with crayons — layering blues, purples, and yellows gives the wings a beautiful gradient effect, and outlining the edges in brown or black makes the colors pop.
5. Glue it together. Use the glue stick to attach the wings to either side of the toilet paper roll body. Press and hold for a few seconds so they stay put.
6. Let it dry, then play! Once the glue sets, your butterfly is ready to fly around the house, sit on a shelf, or star in an imaginative play session.
Why We Love This Craft
Beyond just being cute, this activity is great for:
- Fine motor skills — cutting, coloring, and gluing all build hand strength and coordination
- Creativity — no two butterflies turn out the same
- Screen-free bonding time — just you, your kids, and some crayons
- Zero cost — it’s made almost entirely from things you’d otherwise throw away
If your kids enjoy this one, it’s easy to turn it into a whole “recycled bug collection” — try ladybugs, caterpillars, or bees using the same toilet paper roll base.
Have you tried this craft with your little ones? We’d love to see how your butterflies turned out.