The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a kid’s classic that delights with its bold colors as the caterpillar munches its way through the week.
With simple story-telling, Carle enchants and educates young readers. But he also inspires parents and teachers with fun crafts.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar activities encourage essential skills like fine motor development, color recognition, pre-writing concepts, and creativity.
1. Story Stones
The Very Hungry Caterpillar story stones are a fun way to let young children re-tell you the story. They are simple to make, whether you glue images from the story onto the stones or paint your own.
Skills:
- Sequencing
- Comprehension
2. Marker Holder
Like many parents and teachers, I’m sure you are running out of wall space for your children’s art. That’s why this Very Hungry Caterpillar marker holder is a fun and practical activity.
You can encourage teamwork by splitting the kids into groups and having each group work on one holder. You can then place one on each table in the classroom.
Skills:
- Color and pattern observation
3. Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are an excellent option for toddlers and preschoolers. After reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar book, you can use play food, loose parts, pasta, colored rice, lentils, scoops, and tongs to create a hungry caterpillar activity.
Sensory bins allow kids to think about the story in an open-ended way while enjoying the brain benefits of sensory play.
Skills:
- Fine motor practice
- Sequencing
4. Edible Life Cycle
The Very Hungry Caterpillar book is full of learning opportunities. So why not use delicious treats to create your own butterfly life cycle?
Not only will your kids be able to visualize the process, but they can snack on it afterward.
Skills:
- Sequencing
- Life cycle knowledge they can apply to other insects
- The life skill that change is necessary for growth
5. Tracing Printables
Tracing printables make great fine motor activities. They help toddlers and preschoolers practice their pencil grip and spatial awareness.
Related: 1-10 Number Tracing Worksheets
This Very Hungry Caterpillar activity works well with playdough activities for kids that help strengthen hand muscles and encourage pre-literacy concepts.
Skills:
- Concentration and focus
- Visual-spatial skills
- Pre-writing skills
6. Fruit Toss
This excellent classroom activity allows kids to burn energy after finishing their work. You can use plastic play food, bean bags, or felt play food.
You can also use a plastic washing basket and place a cutout caterpillar head over the top of it. Be sure to leave a large opening for the mouth. This also makes cleaning up quick and easy.
Skills:
- Gross motor skills
- Hand-eye coordination
- Balance
7. Threading and Sequencing
This is an easy caterpillar snack activity that will keep your toddlers busy. You can create an engaging fine motor craft that children will love using simple craft supplies. You can also encourage them to remember the order that the caterpillar ate the food.
Skills:
- Sequencing
- Eye-hand coordination
- Concentration
8. Starting Sounds
This printable is perfect if you are looking for The Very Hungry Caterpillar literacy activities. Preschoolers get to enjoy Eric Carle’s illustrations while using them to work out the beginning letter of each picture.
Skills:
- Letter recognition
- Letter writing
- Letter sounds
9. Bingo
Bingo is a hands-on Very Hungry Caterpillar activity for toddlers and preschoolers. It is a fun way to teach young children patience and teamwork.
Bingo is also a super fun game that the whole family can enjoy. So, skip screen time and opt for a family read-aloud and Bingo night.
Skills:
- Improved Focus
- Social skills
- Sportsmanship
10. Paper Chain Caterpillar
The Very Hungry Caterpillar crafts like this paper chain caterpillar are a great way to use construction paper scraps. It is also an activity that most preschoolers can do independently.
You can use different shades of green paper and even stick pictures of the food the caterpillar ate onto its body.
Skills:
- Cutting
- Fine motor skills
- Pincer grasp
11. Caterpillar Yoga
Activities for kids that get them moving increase the amount of information their brains retain. That is why kids’ yoga based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a valuable addition to your unit study.
Some fun yoga poses are a great way to stretch and release energy after a reading session and before a craft session.
Skills:
- Mindfulness
- Creativity and imagination
- Body awareness
12. Hand Print Art
The Very Hungry Caterpillar story not only helps your kids learn about different foods but offers a wide variety of fun activities.
Getting messy is a great way to introduce sensory learning. Using their hands to create art, allows kids to see the effects of color mixing.
Skills:
- Creativity
- Color recognition
13. Caterpillar Rap Song
Kids love learning with music, and this Very Hungry Caterpillar rap song is no exception. Visit Let’s Play Kids Music for all the words and a YouTube video of the tune to get your caterpillar choir started.
Skills:
- Focus
- Repetition
- Listening skills
14. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Puppets
These puppets should do the trick if you are looking for The Very Hungry Caterpillar activities for older kids.
Using construction paper, older children can practice their cutting skills and create beautiful puppets. They can then use them in creative and imaginative play.
Skills:
- Hand-eye coordination
- Language skills
- Creativity
15. 3D Fruit
Not only is this activity a fun and challenging one for children, but it also looks great up on your wall. Using the different foods found in The Very Hungry Caterpillar story, you can create 3D art. You can even get creative and use tissue paper inspired by the artwork of Eric Carle.
Skills:
- Cutting and sticking
- Symmetry
- Visual and spatial reasoning
16. Scavenger Hunt
Eric Carle has created a fun scavenger hunt based on the critters found in his books. Getting kids outside is a great way to enhance learning and bring a story to life. Reading about animals is one thing, but finding them in the garden is another.
Skills:
- Sensory regulation
- Observation
17. Plant a Butterfly Garden
Learning comes alive when it is a sensory experience. A fun way for kids to connect with The Very Hungry Caterpillar story and the natural world around them is to plant a butterfly garden.
Buddleia, milkweed, zinnias, and pansies are great for butterflies and easy for kids to grow.
Skills:
- Cooperation
- Weather awareness
- Environmental awareness
18. Make a Leaf Butterfly
Get outside with your kids to collect interesting leaves for this Very Hungry Caterpillar activity. Let your preschoolers create their own butterfly picture using the leaves and seeds they find.
This is an excellent way for them to be outside and think creatively about how they can design a butterfly.
Skills:
- Creativity
- Imagination
- Symmetry
19. Crysalis Craft
Using coffee filters and toilet roll tubes, you can create beautiful butterflies and a chrysalis home for them to live in.
Ideal for older children, this fun fine motor craft will help them understand the life cycle of a butterfly.
Skills:
- Fine motor development
- Creativity
20. Mobile
A paper plate caterpillar mobile is a quick and easy activity inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar. For some added fun, cut out pictures of the food the caterpillar ate in the story and hang them on your mobile.
Skills:
- Cutting
- Observation
21. Polymer Clay Caterpillar
Although many Very Hungry Caterpillar activities are aimed at young children, this polymer clay caterpillar is an excellent way for older children to connect with the story.
They can put their observational skills to the test by color-matching the polymer clay body segments as they create a caterpillar.
Skills:
- Gross and fine motor skills
- Creativity
- Encourages trial and error
Try Your Own Caterpillar Crafts and Activities
With a book as loved as The Very Hungry Caterpillar, it’s no wonder that it inspires educators to bring that joy into the classroom.
Parents can also get creative and use the story to encourage picky eaters to be more adventurous with healthy foods.
Whatever activities you choose, they will bring the story to life and captivate your kids.
