Origami Butterfly Ideas That Are Easy for 3-Year-Olds
Fun and cute butterflies that make you feel the arrival of spring.
Here, we’ll introduce simple butterfly origami that 3-year-olds can enjoy!
There are a few different ways to fold them, including ones with fewer steps, plus ideas for freely decorating your finished butterflies.
Get some colorful origami paper and markers ready, and let the kids use their imagination to fold their very own original butterflies.
Fold lots of butterflies and let’s all enjoy the cheerful feeling of spring together!
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[For Ages 3] Easy Butterfly Origami Ideas (21–30)
A butterfly with a round form
If you make a butterfly with a three-dimensional, rounded form that’s super cute, kids will surely think, “So cute!” and “I want to make one!” First, add diagonal and cross creases, fold it into a triangular pouch shape, then fold it in half and round off the corners of the open end.
Next, open it up and fold so that a heart shape pops up on the surface.
Turn it over, fold the tip so it sticks out from the top edge, tuck it to the front side, flip it back again, and shape it to give it a three-dimensional look—done! Small butterflies made with mini origami paper are adorable, but if you’re making them with kids, the standard size might be easier to work with.
A butterfly you can make with a single sheet of origami paper
Once you’re finished, try hanging it on the wall! Here’s a simple idea for making a butterfly with just one sheet of origami paper.
Origami butterflies have a warm, gentle look that brightens up any room when you display them.
This time, we’ll make a butterfly using a single sheet of origami.
Throughout the steps, it’s important to crease carefully and firmly, so keep that in mind as you craft—especially when working with kids.
Another key tip is to fold in the corners to create that rounded wing shape!
cabbage white butterfly
Distinctive black spots! Here’s an idea for making a cabbage white butterfly out of origami.
Let’s create a cute butterfly that flutters in spring.
The key to this idea is the step where you slip your fingers between the layers of origami and gently open it up.
After making firm creases, open the paper.
Once it’s finished, add patterns with a black pen, colored pencils, or round stickers to make it look even nicer! Try displaying it together with paper flowers and other spring crafts.
cabbage white (butterfly)
Spotted wings are their trademark! Here are some ideas for making cabbage white butterflies with origami.
In spring, butterflies flutter around flowers.
When you picture a butterfly, many of you might think of the cabbage white or the common brimstone.
Let’s make adorable butterflies out of origami with children.
Some steps can be a bit detailed and complex, so it’s reassuring to work together with a teacher or a guardian.
Once you’re done, use a pen to draw their signature spots.
A simple butterfly made by cutting slits
Let’s make an origami butterfly that flutters around like it’s in a spring flower field.
You only need one sheet of origami paper, and the steps are simple.
Turn your chosen size of origami paper over and fold it so the corners meet to make a triangle.
Fold it in half again to make a smaller triangle.
Open the paper and cut along the crease you just made.
Fold diagonally again starting from the cut, and you’re done.
You can use patterned origami paper, or add your own designs for a charming finish.
Kids can enjoy creating with their own free ideas.
A butterfly made from half a sheet of origami paper
This is a butterfly made from a rectangular sheet of origami paper cut in half.
Place it vertically and make creases dividing it into four equal parts horizontally, then continue folding so it becomes a three-dimensional butterfly.
Create volume by folding the center into a triangle and shaping it so the upper and lower wings overlap slightly with diagonal folds—the base is complete once the form looks right! After that, tuck the sharp corners inward to round them off.
Since there are many fine steps, please support the children and proceed up to the stages they can enjoy doing on their own.
A butterfly with antennae
A butterfly with antennae made from round-cut origami or colored paper.
Prepare two sizes of circles, large and small, and make two parts by sticking a small circle in the center of a large one.
Since the circle parts will form the butterfly’s pattern, it’s a good idea to combine colors and designs while imagining the finished look.
Accordion-fold each part and then fold it in half; glue them to form fan shapes.
Next, make the antennae from strips of origami about 3 mm wide.
Finally, sandwich the antennae between the two parts you made and glue them together.
Your vibrant butterfly is complete!