Butterfly Paper Garland
Lift the wings and arrange three painted butterflies along a simple hanging cord.
Hang & display
You need: Paper, scissors, tape and 1 metre of cord.
Download packA4 + US Letter PDFs · 1 making sheet
Guide included; keep it on screen if you prefer.
Your printable pages
Print the making sheets single-sided at 100% / Actual size. Tap a page to look closer.
Make it, then try it
1. Cut the butterflies
Cut out all three butterflies. Leave a small smooth white border around the antennae rather than cutting between their thin stalks. Keep each body and both wings together.
2. Lift the wings gently
Along the two short dashed guides beside each body, fold the wings slightly upward. Keep the centre body flat. A shallow fold gives the wings shape without closing them together.
3. Attach to the cord
Lay about 1 metre of cord across the BACK of the three bodies, spacing them as you like. Tape the cord securely to each flat body. Leave cord free at both ends for hanging.
4. Hang and arrange
Ask an adult to attach the ends to a wall or display board. Adjust the wing angles so you can see the colours. Keep the cord away from beds and play areas where it could catch.
Arrange your paper butterfly garland
This butterfly garland printable includes three matching coloured butterflies. The short wing folds add dimension, while tape holds the cord to the back of each flat body.
Plan the spacing before taping
Lay the cord and butterflies on a table. Try equal gaps, then move two closer together and leave a larger space before the third. Choose the arrangement you like before attaching the cord to the backs.
Frame a drawing display
Choose a display board and place the butterflies in a gentle curve above a drawing. Ask an adult to secure the cord ends to suitable fixings and check that the butterflies hang evenly. Keep the cord away from beds, cots and walkways.
Compare flat and lifted wings
Leave one butterfly flat and lift another along its short dashed folds. View both from the front and the side, then decide how you want the finished display to look. Adjust with gentle folds rather than repeatedly bending the same crease.
Questions before you make it
How many butterflies are in the printable garland?
The making sheet contains three butterflies, each designed at 70 mm wide. Print additional copies if you want more pieces. Extra copies repeat the same design; the pack does not contain three different species.
Where do I attach the string or cord?
Attach the cord to the back of each butterfly's flat body with tape. Keep it away from the wing folds. Lay out all pieces first so you can choose the spacing before fixing them in place.
Do I need to cut around every thin antenna?
No. Leave a small white bridge of paper around the thin antennae rather than cutting tightly around them. The surrounding paper gives those delicate parts more support.
Can I hang the paper garland outdoors?
This pack is intended for an indoor paper display. The paper, ink and tape have not been tested for rain, moisture or outdoor use. Choose a dry indoor position for your first assembly trial.
How should I store the butterfly garland?
Take it down gently and lay the cord loosely in a box with the butterflies facing up. Avoid pulling on the antennae or placing heavy objects over the lifted wings. Check tape joins before hanging it again.
Digital assembly illustrations. Physical assembly and use have not yet been tested.