Eric Carle’s beloved book, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” has delighted children for generations, teaching them about the life cycle of a butterfly with its charming story and vibrant illustrations.
This timeless tale offers far more than just bedtime reading, it serves as a perfect springboard for creative learning activities that span across multiple developmental areas.
In this comprehensive collection, we’ve gathered the most engaging and educational Very Hungry Caterpillar-inspired crafts and activities designed to bring the colorful world of this ravenous insect to life.
From constructing caterpillar and butterfly crafts that help develop dexterity to sequencing games that reinforce the story’s events, each activity is designed to extend the learning opportunities found within the pages of the book.
1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Finger Puppets
Creating The Very Hungry Caterpillar finger puppets is an engaging way for students to bring this beloved story to life.
As students make and use their puppets, they can retell the story, explore sequencing, and deepen their understanding of key themes like growth and transformation.
Learn more: Read and Create
2. Roll-A-Caterpillar
The Roll-A-Caterpillar (paper roll and paper leaf) craft adds an extra element to the classic paper roll caterpillar by incorporating a paper leaf for the caterpillar to “crawl” on.
Learn more: Learning with Mrs. Parker
3. DIY Very Hungry Caterpillar Tissue Box
This creative craft project where students transform an empty tissue box into a fun and functional decoration inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Learn more: Happy Tot Shelf
4. Hungry Caterpillar Headgear
The Hungry Caterpillar Headgear (crown-style caterpillar) is a fun and wearable craft inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
To create this, students start by making a crown base from construction paper, measuring it to fit around their heads. They can then decorate the band with colorful circles or segments to mimic the caterpillar’s body.
Learn more: Lisa’s Library Land
5. Wiggly Pipe Cleaner Caterpillar
To create this, students twist several colorful pipe cleaners together to form the body of the caterpillar. They can coil the pipe cleaners into small loops to give the body a “wiggly” appearance, enhancing the playful nature of the craft.
Learn more: Messy Little Monster
6. Egg Carton Caterpillar
The Egg Carton Caterpillar is a fun and eco-friendly craft that uses a recycled egg carton as the base. To create this, children cut out a row of egg cups to form the caterpillar’s segmented body. Each segment can be painted in bright colors, mimicking the look of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Learn more: Two Pink Peonies
7. Caterpillar Necklace Craft
By using dyed pasta to represent the caterpillar’s body and colored paper for decorative elements, children can enhance their understanding of the story’s themes, such as growth and transformation.
Learn more: Buggy and Buddy
8. Caterpillar Wall Paper Plate Decor
The Caterpillar Wall Plate Decor is a personalized classroom craft where students can create a large caterpillar display using paper plates, with each plate featuring a student’s picture.
Learn more: Pinterest/Sane At Home Mom Self-care
9. Connect the Pieces
Through assembling letter puzzles in the shape of a caterpillar, students strengthen their understanding of letter recognition while enjoying a fun and interactive learning experience
Learn more: Playdough Potato
10. Toilet Paper Roll Stamp Caterpillar
The Toilet Paper Roll Stamp Caterpillar is a simple and eco-friendly craft that allows students to create their own caterpillar using recycled materials.
By dipping the ends of toilet paper rolls in paint and stamping them onto paper, students can form the caterpillar’s body, adding details like eyes and legs with markers or other craft supplies.
Learn more: Lil Scholar University
11. Balloon Paint Caterpillar
The Balloon Paint Caterpillar is a fun and tactile craft where students use balloons as stamps to create colorful caterpillar shapes on paper.
By dipping balloons in paint and pressing them onto the paper, students can form the caterpillar’s round body segments, experimenting with different colors and patterns.
Learn more: Busy Bugs
12. Fingerprint Counting Caterpillar Activity
By dipping their fingers in paint or ink, students can press them onto paper to form the caterpillar’s body, segment by segment.
Learn more: Fun Handprint Art Blog
13. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Puppet Craft
By creating a simple popsicle stick puppet, students can visualize and interact with the beloved character, enhancing their comprehension of the story’s themes, such as growth and transformation.
Learn more: Messy Little Monster
14. Feed The Caterpillar
With the help of this engaging activity, kids are encouraged to investigate the ideas of sorting, counting, and eating a nutritious diet.
By using a decorative box that looks like a caterpillar’s mouth, kids can pick up and put different food items into the box.
Learn more: Wendy Den Hartog
15. Handprint Caterpillar Craft
This craft gives students an imaginative way to engage with The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Students build a caterpillar using their own hand forms after tracing and cutting out their handprints.
Learn more: Happy Toddler Time
16. Toe Print Caterpillars
By transforming their prints into the body segments of a caterpillar, students can explore patterns, colors, and shapes in a memorable and engaging way, enhancing their learning through artistic expression.
Learn more: Rubber Boots and Shelf Shoes
17. Paper Plate Caterpillar Craft
Create a vibrant paper plate caterpillar by cutting colorful paper into small, rounded shapes. Attach the shapes along the edge of the plate to form the body.
For the head, add a larger circle of colored paper at one end. Complete the craft by gluing on simple eyes and antennae, bringing the caterpillar to life in a fun and easy way.
Learn more: Happy Toddler Time
18. Pool Noodle Caterpillar Craft
This simple and colorful craft is a playful way to create a fun caterpillar. To make a pool noodle caterpillar, cut a pool noodle into several small segments.
String the pieces together using a sturdy cord or yarn to form the caterpillar’s body. For the head, attach googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae to one end.
Learn more: Happy Toddler Play Time
19. Cardboard Caterpillar Craft
With basic supplies like cardboard, glue, and paint, kids can create this craft and bring the well-known character to life. Storytime becomes more participatory and memorable with the help of this simple and entertaining activity.
Learn more: Happy Toddler Play Time
20. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Storytelling Basket
Fill the basket with objects representing key moments from the book, such as play food, a toy caterpillar, and other props. As the story is read, children can engage by using the items to act out the scenes.
Learn more: The Imagination Tree
21. Hungry Caterpillar Color Sorting Activity
Using colorful buttons and paper circles, children can sort the buttons by color onto matching paper circles. This activity not only reinforces color recognition but also provides a creative extension of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” that enhances the storytelling experience.
Learn more: Parenting Chaos
22. Potato Masher Caterpillar Craft
Learn more: Happy Toddler Play Time
23. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Memory Game
To create a potato masher caterpillar, begin by selecting a clean potato masher. Dip the masher’s flat surface into colorful paint, then press it onto a sheet of paper to form the caterpillar’s body. Repeat the process with different colors to create segments.
Learn more: Playdough Potato
24. Feed the Caterpillars: Pom Pom Drop
Children can drop the pom poms into the container, mimicking the caterpillar’s journey of eating through various foods in the story. This fun and interactive game encourages creativity and movement, making it an enjoyable extension of the book’s themes.
Learn more: Happy Toddler Play Time
25. Letter Sorting with the Hungry Caterpillar
Provide a set of letter cutouts, children can sort the letters by matching them to the corresponding caterpillar segments or placing them in order of the alphabet or to create a word from it like scrabble.
Learn more: Growing Book by Book
26. Caterpillar Cup Number Match
Using cups, write numbers on the outside of each cup and create draw matching circle as the caterpillar number with the same numbers. Children can then match the cups by placing them above the corresponding number.
Learn more: Happy Toddler Play Time
27. Hungry Caterpillar Hole Craft
Using simple materials like paper, scissors, and yarn, this craft allows kids to follow along with the caterpillar’s journey as they weave it through each hole. It’s a great hands-on way to explore the story while creating something memorable.
Learn more: Modern Preschool
28. Build a Hungry Caterpillar with LEGO Bricks
Building a Hungry Caterpillar with LEGO bricks is a creative way to recreate the character from the classic story. Start by selecting a variety of round and rectangular bricks in green and red to form the caterpillar’s body and head.
Learn more: Spongy kids
29. Monarch Butterflies Craft
The Monarch Butterflies Craft on a paper plate is a simple and educational project that teaches children about the life cycle of a monarch butterfly. Start by dividing a paper plate into four sections, each representing a stage in the life cycle.
Learn more: Somewhat Simple
30. Hungry Caterpillar Style Butterfly
This craft is a colorful and imaginative project where children design their own butterfly using painted paper and cardboard.
This craft brings the story’s butterfly to life while allowing kids to express their creativity through painting and assembly.
Learn more: Pre-School Play
31. Caterpillar Play Dough Play
Caterpillar Play Dough Play is a fun and creative activity where children shape their own caterpillars using play dough. By rolling green play dough into small balls for the body and a red ball for the head, kids can replicate the character from the story.
Learn more: Rainy Day Mum
32. DIY Mask Craft
This craft is a simple and fun project where children can create their own caterpillar mask inspired by “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Using basic materials like paper plates, paint, and string, kids can design a mask to wear and play with.
33. Hungry Caterpillar Puzzle
In this engaging activity, children can create a Hungry Caterpillar puzzle using paper plates. Begin by cutting a paper plate into several large puzzle pieces, each representing a different part of the caterpillar.
Learn more: Boy Mama Teacher
34. Old Caps Caterpillar
In this fun and creative activity, children can make an “Old Caps Caterpillar” using bottle caps. Gather a variety of colorful bottle caps and encourage children to arrange them in a line to form a caterpillar shape.
Learn more: Kara Carrero
35. Hungry Caterpillar Sensory Bins
In this delightful sensory bin activity, children can explore the world of the Hungry Caterpillar through hands-on play. Begin by filling a large bin with materials that represent the story, such as green rice or shredded paper for grass and brown beans for the caterpillar’s food.
Learn more: Rainy Day Mom
36. Rainbow Footprint Butterfly
Learn more: Messy Little Monster
37. Caterpillar Egg Carton Necklace
Allow children to paint and decorate each cup with bright colors and fun patterns. Once the cups are dry, help them string the decorated segments onto a piece of yarn or string, creating a necklace
Learn more: Team Stein Blog
38. Hungry Caterpillar Alphabet Tracing
Provide students with three different colors of circle stickers, representing the caterpillar’s body segments. As they trace each letter with their finger or a pencil, they can place the corresponding colored stickers along the letters to reinforce letter recognition.
Learn more: Yours To Define
39. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Sequencing
In this interactive activity, children can practice sequencing with “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” using clothespins. Begin by providing children with a set of illustrated cards that depict key events from the story, such as the caterpillar hatching, eating various foods, and transforming into a butterfly.
Learn more: School Time Snippets
40. Very Hungry Caterpillar Paper Plate Name Game
Provide each child with a paper plate and having them decorate it with designs, similar to the caterpillar. Once decorated, help children write their names on the plates, ensuring that the letters are clear and easy to read and arrange it in order to look like a caterpillar body.
Learn more: Toddler Approved