How to Make an Egg Carton Butterfly Suncatcher

Steps

1. 1. Gather the Egg Carton Butterfly Supplies

   Lay everything out before you start, so little hands are not waiting. You need a cardboard egg carton, white school glue, paint and brushes, a pipe cleaner, craft sticks and a pack of colored acetate sheets.

   Tip: Pulp egg cartons take paint best. Foam cartons will not hold the glue.

   

2. 2. Cut a Block of Four Cups From the Egg Carton

   Cut a square block of four joined cups out of the carton, two across and two down. Leave the cardboard between the cups in place so the block holds together.

   Tip: One dozen-size carton gives you three butterflies, enough for siblings or cousins.

   

3. 3. Cut a Window in Each Egg Carton Cup

   Turn the block upside down. Push the scissor tip into the bottom of one cup, then cut out a square or round window.

   Tip: A craft knife on a cutting mat gives cleaner windows, if you have one.

   

4. 4. Paint the Egg Carton Butterfly Wings

   Paint the whole block, inside and out, in any color you like. Ms.

   Tip: Two thin coats cover better than one thick one and dry faster.

   

5. 5. Glue Rhinestones Onto the Egg Carton Wings

   Squeeze small dots of white glue on the painted wings. Press a rhinestone onto each dot.

   Tip: A cotton swab dipped in glue makes neat dots for little ones.

   

6. 6. Hot Glue a Craft Stick Body to the Butterfly

   Turn the butterfly over. Run a line of hot glue down the middle, between the two pairs of cups, and press a craft stick into it.

   Tip: Hot glue is a grown-up job. Hold the stick until the glue cools, about 30 seconds.

   

7. 7. Fill the Egg Carton Windows With Colored Acetate

   Cut squares of colored acetate a little bigger than each window. Add a thin line of glue around the window inside the cup.

   Tip: Glue the acetate on the inside so the cut edges stay hidden.

   

8. 8. Add Pipe Cleaner Antennae to the Egg Carton Butterfly

   Fold a yellow pipe cleaner in half and curl the two ends into little hooks. Put a dot of hot glue at the top of the craft stick, between the top two wings, and press the fold of the pipe cleaner into it.

   Tip: Wrap the pipe cleaner around a pencil to get springy curled tips.

   

9. 9. Stick Googly Eyes on the Egg Carton Butterfly

   Put a tiny dot of glue on the top of the stick, right under the antennae. Use tweezers to set two googly eyes in place.

   Tip: Hang it in a south-facing window for the brightest colors.