Pine Cone Butterfly Craft for Kids, Easy Fall Nature Activity

How about crafting a beautiful pine cone butterfly! Fall is the perfect time to explore nature and get creative with seasonal craft projects! One of our favorite things to do when the leaves start to fall is to collect pine cones and turn them into something magical. Today, we’re excited to show you how to make pine cone butterfly puppets, a colorful and easy fall craft for kids that combines natural materials with creative painting.

Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just love nature-inspired crafts, this project is fun, mess-friendly, and perfect for little hands.

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Materials Needed for Pine Cone Butterfly Puppets

Before you begin this DIY nature craft, gather the following supplies:

• • Pine cones (clean and dry)

  • Wooden craft sticks

  • White heavy paper (cardstock or watercolor paper works best)

  • Acrylic paint (we love using Amsterdam Acrylics)

  • Glitter (optional for sparkle)

  • Pipe cleaners (optional for antennas)

  • Googly eyes (optional for fun faces)

  • Hot glue gun and glue sticks

  • Scissors

Craft instructions on these nature butterfly puppets

Follow these simple steps to create your own butterfly stick puppets using pine cones and paint.

Step 1: Create the Butterfly Wings

Fold a sheet of thick white paper in half. Open it back up and add drops of bright acrylic paint on one half of the paper, preferably near the center edge. You can use a brush or squeeze the paint directly from the tube. See the picture below for reference.

Step 2: Mirror the Paint

Fold the paper again over the paint and press gently with your hands, spreading the paint between the layers. This creates a beautiful mirrored effect perfect for butterfly wings. Carefully open the paper to reveal your colorful design.

Optional: Sprinkle glitter onto the wet paint for a sparkling effect. Allow it to dry completely. See picture below!

Step 3: Cut Out the Wings

Once the paint is dry, refold the paper and cut out a symmetrical butterfly wing shape. Use our photos for inspiration or create your own unique wing style. See pictures below for inspiration.

Step 4: Attach the Pine Cone

Using hot glue, attach the pine cone vertically in the center of the wings. This will be the butterfly’s body. Be sure to supervise children during this step.

Step 5: Add Antennas and Eyes

Cut small pieces of pipe cleaner, twine, or even tiny sticks for the butterfly’s antennas. Glue them to the top of the pine cone. We recommend using hot glue so the different materials stick well. Finish the face with googly eyes for a fun, playful look.

Step 6: Make It a Puppet

Finally, glue a wooden craft stick to the back of the butterfly to turn it into a puppet. You can place it straight or at an angle depending on the look you want. Let everything dry and you’re done, great job!

Final Thoughts

This pine cone butterfly craft is a great way to encourage creativity, explore seasonal nature items, and enjoy some quality crafting time with your kids. Whether you’re planning a fall activity day, a classroom project, or just want a fun afternoon craft, this one is sure to delight.

Don’t forget to save this tutorial and tag us if you try it, we’d love to see your beautiful butterflies! Happy crafting!

More Creative Pine Cone Crafts for Kids

If your kids enjoyed making these butterfly puppets, check out some of our other fun pine cone craft ideas:

• Pine Cone Dinosaurs – Bright and bold prehistoric fun

• Pine Cone Squirrels – Adorable woodland creatures

• Pine Cone Lion Wall Hanger – A wild decoration for kids’ rooms

Pinecones aren’t just for decoration; they’re the star of some amazing kids’ crafts! Explore our top pinecone craft ideas for classrooms and home. Get inspired right here!

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