Who doesn’t love a nature craft that invites butterflies over for a snack? If you are trying to attract more pollinating insects to your yard, this is a fun idea to try: make a simple Butterfly Feeder out of an old ketchup bottle!
Please note: This post was originally created for PBS Parents Crafts for Kids and the original instructions are no longer available on their website. I’m including the original directions here now
Materials
- Plastic Bottle with Lid
- Cotton Ball
- Rubber Bands
- Flowers Real or fake
- Yarn
- Water
- Sugar
Butterfly Feeder Instructions
Time needed: 20 minutes.
Learn how to make a simple Butterfly Feeder from a plastic bottle.
- Prepare the bottle
Place a strong rubber band around bottom of bottle.
- Add yarn
Tie a piece of yarn to rubber band on both sides of the bottle
- Add more rubber bands
Place additional rubber bands around bottle. These will hold the flowers in place.
- Make a “wick”
Place a cotton ball through hole in lid.
- Add Flowers
Place flowers under rubber bands.
- Make Butterfly “Food”
Combine ¼ cup of sugar with 1 cup of water. Stir.
- Fill the bottle
Add sugar water to bottle. Close the lid.
- Hang it outside!
Hang the bottle outside on a sturdy tree branch.
Tips
- If you are having trouble pushing the cotton ball through the hole, use a toothpick to help push it through.
- If using fresh flowers use hardy varieties that won’t wilt quickly
- To make a more permanent Butterfly feeder use fake flowers
- DO NOT add food coloring to the Butterfly food as that is not good for butterflies.
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This is a really great up-cycle craft that you can do with your kids!