May 2009 Craft of the Month- Butterfly Theme

Caterpillar or Butterfly Magnets
     

Materials Needed:

Craft Stick
Glue
4 1" pompoms
Caterpillar eyes
Magnetic tape
Coffee filter
Watercolor paints
Paint brush
Pipe cleaner or thin filament for antennae

Directions:

Spread glue on the craft stick and Caterpillar pompoms in a row on the glue.  Let dry.
Glue on  the goggly eyes and antennae to the first pompom. Let Dry.
Peel off paper on magnetic tape and put on back of the craft stick.  Now your Caterpillar is ready to cocoon on the refrigerator or file cabinet.
When ready- cut the coffee filter's sides off and open up to look like butterfly wings.
Paint the wings with the watercolor paints. Let dry
Glue to the back of the Caterpillar.
Look he's turned into a butterfly!

This craft si great for repetitive pinch and release and for bilateral motor coordination.  Painting can become a real tactile experience if you have the child use their finger instead of a brush to paint.




Herb Butterfly


Materials Needed:

Cinnamon Stick
Bay Leaves
2 whole cloves
Small acorn or dried potpourri flower
Tacky glue
Waxed paper
Magnetic tape
Goggly eyes are optional

Directions:

Put tacky glue on stems of bay leaves and glue to the back of the cinnamon stick. Let dry on waxed paper.
Glue the head piece to the top of the cinnamon stick.  Let dry.
Glue the whole cloves to the top of the head for the butterfly's antenna. Let dry.
Peel off the paper on the magnetic tape and stick the magnet on the back of the herb butterfly. 
Glue on goggly eyes if desired, let dry.
Put the butterfly on the refrigerator or filing cabinet.
Catch a whiff of the herbs whenever you walk by.  It will have your spirits fluttering!

This craft is a real olfactory experience.  It utilizes  a lot of pinch grasp and fine motor control.