Easy Spring Craft: Butterflies!

My library does a lot of outreach in the community. We visit local preschools and day cares to provide story times; have tables at school fairs and literacy nights; and partner with local moms groups to provide programming for young children. This past weekend I represented my library at a local mothers club's annual egg hunt at a nearby park--activities included the egg hunt, pony rides, a bounce house, pictures with the Easter bunny, and a balloon animal-creating clown. And, of course, the library's craft table!

What type of craft to you plan when you know you'll a) be outdoors for two hours, b) work with a wide variety of ages, and c) serve a possible 200 people? An easy spring butterfly, of course!

This craft requires three supplies: a coffee filter, markers, and a pipe cleaner. Kiddos get to color their coffee filters however they please. When the coloring is complete, both the coffee filter and pipe cleaner are folded in half. For optimal butterfly shape, the open end of the pipe cleaner goes over the open end of the coffee filter. At that point, all that's left is to scrunch the coffee filter a bit and twist the pipe cleaner into antennae. Ta-da! A colorful, spring-y butterfly that was a cinch to make!