Craft an origami butterfly

What can we use if we don't have colourful square paper or the small strip/paperclip to secure the center?

Cut a square from rectangular printer, wrapping, or magazine paper to make the colourful square paper, and secure the center using a twist-tie, pipe cleaner, small hair elastic, staple, or a short piece of tape instead of the small strip or paperclip.

My accordion folds are uneven or the butterfly keeps coming apart; how can I fix that?

Refold the paper using a ruler to mark consistent ~1 cm fold widths and press each crease firmly with a fingernail or the back of a spoon, then tighten the center by wrapping the small strip tightly or replacing it with a staple or paperclip so the wings hold when you spread them.

How can we adapt this activity for different age groups?

For toddlers, pre-fold the accordion and let them spread the wings and add big stickers; for preschoolers use wider 2 cm folds and help wrap the center; and for older kids make finer 0.5–1 cm folds, add detailed symmetric patterns with colouring materials, or layer papers for complexity.

How can we enhance or personalize the butterfly to make it more special or long-lasting?

Layer two sheets color-side-out before folding for two-tone wings, add a twisted pipe cleaner or a small folded paper body at the center and seal it with a dab of glue or a tiny staple, then decorate with matching patterns and stickers and take the photo to share on DIY.org.