DIY Butterfly Costume: 40-Min Cardboard Build
Time40 minEffortMedium
⏱️ We timed it, but results may vary.
Plan this costume →No signup · 2 minutes.
Painted cardboard wings on black sweats. The garden's prettiest visitor, and the wings are the whole show. About forty minutes, a medium build: large cardboard for the wings, an acrylic paint set, and a black sweatsuit. Paint the wings before cutting them out; it's easier to get symmetry.
3 of 8 things covered, counting basics we assume you have.
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Still need:
Tip: outline the wing patterns with glitter glue after the paint dries.
Steps
- Draw one wing on paper.
- Cut it out.
- Trace it flipped for the second wing.
- Cut two big wing shapes from the cardboard.
- Paint both wings with bright patterns.
- Let them dry flat.
- Tape elastic loops to the back of each wing.
- Bend pipe cleaners into antennae.
- Tape them to the headband.
- Safety: Keep wing edges away from doorways; turn sideways to pass through.
- Wear the wings over the black sweats.
- Put on the antennae headband.
- Optional pro finish: outline the wing patterns with glitter glue after the paint dries.
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Common questions
How big should butterfly wings be?
Wingtip to wingtip about as wide as the wearer's arm span. Bigger looks majestic in photos but will not fit through doorways, turn sideways.
How do you attach wings so they stay up?
Tape two elastic loops to the back of each wing and slip arms through like a backpack. Elastic, not ribbon, it flexes when they move.
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