Submitted by: Sarah Cannington, a mom and teacher.
Welcome spring by creating easy to make colorful butterfly magnets using ... you've got it ... coffee filters.
What You Need:
Round Paper Coffee Filters
Food Coloring - springtime colors - pinks, blues, greens. (you can also use watered down tempera or watercolor paint)
Water
Several margarine containers (to hold the water)
Eye droppers (optional)
Twist ties
Pipe Cleaners
Glue
Magnet sheet (you can find this at any office supply store)
Paper Towels
A covered work area.
What You Do:
First prepare your colored water by adding a few drops of food coloring or paint to your dishes of water.
If using an eye dropper, take your coffee filter, flatten it out and drop various colors on the filter. The colors will run and blend beautifully.
If you don't have an eye dropper, then take your coffee filter and dip different areas of it into the colored water. Again, the colors will blend and run together.
Let dry.
When dry, take the coffee filter and pinch it together in the middle so you have two billowy sides ... like a bow.
Wrap a twist tie around the center to secure it
Then, twist a pipe cleaner around the center and let it stick out at the top like antennae.
Glue a piece of magnet to the back and voila ... A Coffee Filter Fridge Magnet for Spring.
More Information:
Butterflies Online
Watch an on-line metamorphosis from larva to caterpillar to butterfly
complete with butterfly activities and resources. Developed by grade three
students in Yukon, Canada. There are lots of original games, activities,
learning resources and more.
Recommended Books:
Monarch Magic
Stunning photos take children inside the chrysalis right through the process of emerging as a majestic monarch.
Paint the Wild Butterfly Kit
by Balitono, Inc
Paint three hand carved, solid wood butterflies to create unique magnets or hanging decorations.
KinderArt® Lesson/Activity 
