How to Make a 3D Butterfly

A kirigami butterfly with intricately cut wings that stands up from a folded base.

Intermediate12 min11 stepsUniversal

Quick answer

To make a 3d butterfly, you need paper, scissors and about 12 minutes. Start by start with a4 paper. This activity has 11 steps and is rated intermediate. Clean activity — no mess!

What you need

paperscissors

✨ Clean activity — no mess

Step-by-Step Instructions

1
Start with A4 paper. Cut or fold to a square. Fold in half to create a rectangle with the fold at the bottom.
2
On the folded edge, draw half of a butterfly: a semicircular upper wing and a smaller semicircular lower wing, connected at the body. The body should be along the fold.
3
Within the wing outlines, draw decorative patterns to cut out: circles, teardrops, or curved lines within the wings.
4
Cut along the outer wing outline through both layers. Do not cut along the fold where the body is.
5
Cut out the interior decorative patterns using small scissors or a craft knife. These create the intricate wing patterns.
6
Open the paper. The butterfly is symmetrical with matching patterns on both wings.
7
Fold the wings upward along the body fold so they stand at about 45 degrees from horizontal.
8
Gently curve each wing by bending them slightly along their length.
9
For antennae: cut two thin strips from leftover paper, curl each around a pencil, and attach them to the top of the head area.
10
To create a base: fold a small strip of paper into a V-shape and attach the butterfly body to the peak of the V so it stands upright.
11
Your 3D kirigami butterfly is complete with intricately patterned wings and curled antennae.