Butterfly Mobile
A gorgeous and inexpensive way to add some whimsy to your child’s playroom or bedroom, this DIY Butterfly Mobile looks like floating butterflies and becomes absolutely magical when a gust of wind comes in through the window.
DIY Butterfly Mobile Craft
Full disclosure? I am awful when it comes to decorating my own spaces.
My bedroom still doesn’t have a single thing hanging on the walls and it took almost 4 years of us living here before I finally painted the awful pale yellow walls.
But the kids’ spaces? Those were practically fully decorated before we even moved in. I think it’s a combination of how fun and whimsical I find decorating kids’ rooms and also my desire to spoil my daughter and daycare kids. I might have decision paralysis when it comes to my own spaces, but I have no problem figuring out a theme for their spaces and running with it.
For our main playroom, I wanted to bring the outdoors inside. I painted the room a sky blue, put down a fluffy green rug and incorporated lots of whimsical nature prints. But my favorite feature of this room has to be our butterfly mobile. Pictures don’t really seem to do it justice.
I used these pretty translucent butterflies from Etsy to create our mobile, but you could use paper butterflies from the Dollar Store or even make your own. (The butterflies we used are temporarily unavailable, but I will update when they are back in stock.)
They are set up in a small corner of the playroom, just in front of a window. When I open the top half of the window to let air through, the butterflies float and dance in the breeze, bringing a bit of magic into our playspace.
I loved the effect of using little found twigs to hang the butterflies from, but you could just hang the butterflies directly from the ceiling, or construct a proper mobile structure out of dowels. They could also be hung from a curtain rod, but I like that they seem to be free floating in the middle of the room.
Using hot glue to attach the twigs to the ceiling was perfect. I’ve removed a couple of them and it didn’t cause any damage, yet the hot glue is strong enough to hold them up. You could experiment with glue dots or command strips, but we’ve had no issues with the dabs of hot glue that I used.
You could use this method to hang different mobile objects, like floating hearts, birds, stars, etc.
Materials for a Butterfly Mobile
- Twigs of Various Lengths
- Fishing Wire
- Plastic Butterflies <– we ones we originally bought on Etsy are not available, but these are similar (I will update if they become available)
- Hot Glue
- Scissors
- Sewing Needle
Tip: you can hang the butterflies directly from the ceiling or create a proper mobile structure with dowels if you don’t like the look of the twigs on the ceiling.
How to Make a Butterfly Mobile
Use a sewing needle to poke a hole in the center of each butterfly.
Cut varying lengths of fishing line and thread each length through a single butterfly. Tie a knot to secure the fishing line and trim off excess wire.
Tie the fishing lines to your twigs. Try to avoid the desire to keep things symmetrical.
For the tricky part of hanging the butterfly mobile, you may want a second person to help. I’m stubborn and did this myself.
Standing on a ladder within arm’s reach of the ceiling, apply generous amounts of hot glue to the top of the sticks, on the opposite side from the butterflies.
Immediately press the stick to the ceiling and hold in place until the glue dries.
Repeat with all sticks. Try to space them out in a random pattern to give the mobile a natural look.
Pin this Easy Butterfly Mobile to bring some magic to your playroom:
Grab your free printable instructions for our DIY Butterfly Mobile:
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Sugar, Spice and Glitter.
Butterfly Mobile
How to make a realistic looking butterfly mobile for your child's playroom. This magical mobile seems to float and fly in the breeze, adding whimsy and fun to your play space
Materials
- Twigs of Various Lengths
- Fishing Wire
- Plastic Butterflies
Tools
- Hot Glue
- Scissors
- Sewing Needle
Instructions
- Use a sewing needle to poke a hole in the center of each butterfly.
- Cut varying lengths of fishing line and thread each length through a single butterfly. Tie a knot to secure the fishing line and trim off excess wire.
- Tie the fishing lines to your twigs. Try to avoid the desire to keep things symmetrical.
- For the tricky part of hanging the butterfly mobile, you may want a second person to help. I'm stubborn and did this myself.
- Standing on a ladder within arm's reach of the ceiling, apply generous amounts of hot glue to the top of the sticks, on the opposite side from the butterflies.
- Immediately press the stick to the ceiling and hold in place until the glue dries.
- Repeat with all sticks. Try to space them out in a random pattern to give the mobile a natural look.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
E.Durable Mini Glue Gun Tool Kit Kids Friendly with Glue Sticks for School Projects, DIY Crafts, Delicate Items Like Foam, Thermocal, Floral, etc (30W) -
Beadalon Supplemax 0.30 mm (0.012") Nylon Bead Stringing Material, 50 m (164 ft), Clear Monofilament Illusion Cord
-
AQUEENLY Monarch Butterfly Decorations, 4.72'' Orange Premium Artificial Monarch Butterfly to Decorate for Craft, Home, Wall, Wedding, Party (12 Pcs)
If you end up making this butterfly mobile in your playroom or child’s bedroom I’d love to see the results!
For more home decor ideas, check out our full collection of DIY Home Decor here:
For more crafts just for grown-ups, check out our full adult craft collection here:
