One of my favorite stories as a child was "The Very Hungry Caterpillar." In fact, I didn't even realize I was learning how to count, shape, colors, and the science between caterpillars and butterflies. This super paper caterpillar craft will go perfect with any story or lesson on caterpillars and butterflies.
Below, you will find step by step directions on how to make this friendly caterpillar with kids as well as some other crafts you may want to pin. Bug and animal crafts can be really easy and fun for little ones to make.
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💖 Why You'll Love This Craft
- Fun to Wiggle and Play: Kids love making their own little paper caterpillar that they can wiggle around afterward!
- Teaches Counting & Patterns: Use the body segments to practice colors, patterns, or even simple counting.
- Scissor Skills Practice: A great way for little ones to build fine motor skills while cutting and folding.
🎨 Supplies Needed
- Colorful Craft Papers
- Scissors
- Pencils
- Ruler
- Craft Glue/ Paper Glue
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🖌️ How to Make a Paper Caterpillar Craft
After talking about caterpillars and butterflies or reading "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," you can do this fun craft with kids. Here are your step by step directions!
- Step 1: Let’s start off by cutting out the templates. You can either use the colorful rebates or the blank templates.
- Step 2: Fold the leaf horizontally right on the middle. Then make 3-4 vertical folds from top to bottom. This will help to give the leaf a 3D effect.
- Step 3: Now glue the leaf on a thick white paper or any kind of white paper.
Then take one of the circular pieces and glue it on too right side of the leaf.
- Step 4: Glue all the circular pieces one next to another and slightly overlap them with each other.
- Step 5: Now take the two yellow paper strips and glue them on the top middle side of the yellow circular piece. This will be the caterpillars head.
- Step 6: Now take 2 googly eyes and glue them on the yellow circular piece. You can use both same sized googly eyes, but in this way it looks a bit ore cute.
- Step 7: Now use a thin black pen and a pink pen to draw the caterpillars mouth.
And there you go! It’s finished.
💡 Pro Tip: Integrate this craft with a reading of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to reinforce learning about caterpillars and butterflies.
🧑🎨 Expert Tips
- Use Colorful Craft Papers: Select vibrant papers to make the caterpillar visually appealing and engaging for children during the crafting process.
- Fold the Leaf for 3D Effect: Fold the leaf horizontally and then make vertical folds to give it a three-dimensional appearance, enhancing the craft's realism.
- Overlap Circular Pieces: Glue the circular body pieces slightly overlapping each other to create a cohesive and continuous caterpillar body.
- Add Googly Eyes and Antennae: Attach googly eyes and paper antennae to the head to give the caterpillar character and make it more lifelike.
- Draw Facial Features: Use a black pen to draw a mouth and other facial features, adding personality and expression to the caterpillar.
- Secure the Craft on White Paper: Mount the completed caterpillar on a white sheet to provide contrast and stability, making it suitable for display.
💭 FAQs
You'll need colorful craft papers, scissors, pencils, a ruler, and craft glue. These supplies help create a vibrant and interactive caterpillar.
Yes, it's perfect for preschoolers and young kids. The craft is simple, engaging, and enhances fine motor skills while introducing basic concepts.
The entire project takes approximately 20 minutes, making it a quick and enjoyable activity. It's ideal for short crafting sessions with children.
Absolutely! It serves as a hands-on tool to teach counting, patterns, and the life cycle of a butterfly.
🖌️ Related Crafts
Download Printable
Don't forget to download your free Printable Caterpillar Template here!
Paper Caterpillar Craft and Learning Ideas
Equipment
- Scissors
Materials
- Colorful Craft Papers
- Pencils
- Ruler
- Craft Glue/ Paper Glue
Instructions
- Let’s start off by cutting out the templates. You can either use the colorful rebates or the blank templates.
- Fold the leaf horizontally right in the middle. Then make 3-4 vertical folds from top to bottom. This will help to give the leaf a 3D effect.
- Now glue the leaf on a thick white paper or any kind of white paper. Then take one of the circular pieces and glue it on too the right side of the leaf.
- Glue all the circular pieces one next to another and slightly overlap them with each other.
- Now take the two yellow paper strips and glue them on the top middle side of the yellow circular piece. This will be the caterpillars head.
- Now take 2 googly eyes and glue them on the yellow circular piece.
- You can use both same sized googly eyes, but in this way, it looks a bit more cute.
- Now use a thin black pen and a pink pen to draw the caterpillar's mouth.
- And there you go! It’s finished.
If you like this cute caterpillar craft, pin some of these other crafts for later:
Did you make this craft? Leave a review and comment below! Alternatively, bookmark it in your browser or save to Pinterest.
This seems so easy and cute for my preschool students!