Easy Butterfly Footprint Craft — Keepsake Kids Art
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The butterfly has special meaning in our family, and I knew I wanted to incorporate it into a Father’s Day gift somehow. I searched Pinterest for footprint crafts and butterfly art ideas, but didn’t find a tutorial that fit what I envisioned—so I created one! This footprint butterfly keepsake craft turned out to be a heartfelt and personal project using my child’s feet as the wings.
Fun fact: It also makes a perfect gift for Mother’s Day—for Mom or Grandma!
Butterfly Footprint Art
Supplies Needed:
- Washable poster paints (or acrylic paint for a longer-lasting finish)
- Kids paint brushes
- Paper plates
- Baby wipes
- A garbage bag or other plastic covering to protect your surface
- Canvas (be sure to buy the correct size for your children’ s feet)
- Permanent marker (optional, for writing names or a sweet message)
This is one of those fun spring crafts that’s just as enjoyable to make as it is to give. It’s especially great for younger children because it’s quick, colorful, and involves their little feet—which always adds a sentimental touch. Be sure to have adult supervision during the painting process to keep things safe and mess-free.
Here’s what our setup looked like: I had my daughter sit on a step in the front yard with the garbage bag spread out. For each canvas, I had a paper plate and paint brushes ready to go. Baby wipes were essential! As soon as we finished one foot, she stepped onto a baby wipe while I painted the other foot. It helped keep things clean and moved the process along smoothly.

Step 1:
Using a disposable plate, blend the paint colors you want. I went with a rainbow theme and divided the colors across our four canvases. If you’re using acrylic paint, make sure to protect clothing and surfaces since it’s not as easy to clean as washable paint.

Step 2:
Press your child’s foot firmly into the paint and gently smoosh it around so the colors blend together a bit. Then quickly press the foot onto the canvas and wipe it clean. Repeat the same process with the other foot, placing them in a way that mimics butterfly wings. Expect giggles—this part can be a little ticklish!

Step 3:
Once the footprints are dry, use black paint to create the butterfly’s body and antennae in the center. You could also use your child’s fingerprint to form the body for an extra special detail. When everything has dried, use a permanent marker to write their name, age, or a message like “Happy Father’s Day” or “Made with Love.”

My daughter was SO excited to give these to her daddy that at 6:30 AM on Father’s Day, she burst into our room with the big gift bag—she couldn’t wait another minute! It was such a sweet memory, and now we have these beautiful butterfly crafts as keepsakes.

This is the perfect way to capture a moment in time using your child’s footprint. Whether it’s for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or even a thoughtful gift for grandparents, teachers, or babysitters, this butterfly footprint art is sure to be cherished. So grab your supplies, your child’s feet, and those little hands—you’re about to make something truly meaningful!
