Preschool and kindergarten children are highly sensitive to colors and shapes.
This is also a time when their creativity flourishes and they love using their hands.
Here, we’re sharing ideas for making “caterpillars,” a springtime favorite that’s popular with kids.
You’ll find age-appropriate ideas ranging from decorations perfect for spring-themed wall displays to fun crafts children can make and play with.
Try using papers and materials in a variety of colors, and enjoy creating your own original caterpillars together—kids and adults alike!
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Fun to Make at Daycare and Kindergarten! A Collection of Very Hungry Caterpillar Craft Ideas (1–10)
From inside the cabbage!
From inside a cabbage! Here’s a craft where a little caterpillar pops its head out.
Prepare construction paper, scissors, glue, and crayons, and let’s get started.
Cut three sheets of construction paper into cabbage shapes; crumple two of them to give a three-dimensional look.
Use a white crayon to draw leaf veins.
Using several colors of construction paper, cut out small circles and antennae, and glue them together to make the caterpillar.
Draw the caterpillar’s facial expression with colored pencils.
Attach the caterpillar to the assembled cabbage, and it’s done.
It will look great as a seasonal decoration on a wall and is sure to be fun!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar paper-plate theater
At events, the paper plate theater of the ever-popular The Very Hungry Caterpillar, performed by teachers, keeps children captivated as they eagerly watch to see what will come out next from the spinning plate.
It might also be fun to make a paper plate theater together with the children.
The parts are simple—like ice cream and balloons—that are easy to cut with scissors.
Have the children cut along the lines of the templates the teacher has sketched.
For the caterpillar’s body, include an activity where they cut circles out of construction paper and glue them together in a chain; by assembling it while visualizing the final result, they may discover the joy of creating their own piece.
PET bottle cap caterpillar
Let me introduce a bottle-cap caterpillar that looks as fun as it is to make.
Gather plastic bottle caps, kite string, an awl, glue, and googly-eye stickers.
Use the awl to make a hole in the center of each cap and thread the kite string through.
It’s recommended to prepare caps in different colors.
Tie two knots on the end of the string opposite the face side.
Next, tie the string securely on the face side.
Stick googly-eye stickers on the face-side cap, then make a loop big enough to hold with your hand—and it’s done! Give it a try!
ring caterpillar
Let me introduce a cute, three-dimensional ring caterpillar craft.
Cut several strips from construction paper.
Prepare a few different colors so that, when cut, your caterpillar becomes colorful—highly recommended.
Form each paper strip into a circle to make rings, then connect the rings together.
You can change the color order as you like.
Draw the caterpillar’s face on a circle of construction paper, attach pipe cleaners for the antennae, and glue the face to the front end to finish.
Making a ring caterpillar by linking rings is also great for fine motor skill development.
Origami The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Let me show you how to make The Very Hungry Caterpillar with origami.
Prepare six sheets of origami paper and cut them into quarters.
Using the cut pieces, make two types of parts and combine them.
The folding methods are similar, but there are differences, so be careful about the orientation as you fold.
When assembling each part, interlock them so that the two types alternate.
The key is to combine them in order without mixing up the sequence or the parts.
Kids will be delighted when the caterpillar wiggles and squirms when you hold it!
Caterpillar Calendar
Let’s show you how to make a caterpillar calendar.
Prepare construction paper, a sponge, scissors, glue, and a photo of your child.
Using a sponge, stamp green and light green onto white construction paper.
The key is to stamp so there are no gaps.
Once it’s dry, cut out circular pieces from the paper to form the caterpillar’s body parts.
Glue these body parts onto a calendar with the dates printed on it, and attach your child’s face photo where the caterpillar’s face would be.
Your original caterpillar calendar is complete.
It’s also great for recording your child’s growth!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar doing sticker pasting and stamp play
@hekimen_25 [For toddlers/younger children] Make a little green caterpillar 🐛 A simple craft you can create with sticker pasting and stamp play!#Childcare CraftingNursery teacher / Childcare worker#Making Play Green caterpillar
♬ Cute heartwarming BGM(1490583) – sanusagi
Here’s a craft activity to make a caterpillar using stickers and stamp art.
Divide the caterpillar’s parts into the body and the face, and cut and paste colored paper to assemble them.
Use round stickers and cotton swab stamps to add patterns to the assembled body.
Draw a facial expression, and it’s complete.
If you prepare bright colors, you’ll get a cute, pop-style caterpillar.
Using a small tampo (dabber) to create patterns is also recommended! Try making your own original caterpillar.