25 Best Very Hungry Caterpillar Activities for the Classroom


Despite being published over 50 years ago, Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar still resonates with kids today. It is so beloved that there is even a special day dedicated to this favorite book: March 20 is known as Very Hungry Caterpillar Day around the world. Some even celebrate author Eric Carle’s birthday on June 25. Whether you are in the mood for a good art project, science lesson, or even a healthy snack, the possibilities for classroom activities based on this beloved tale are endless. Check out our favorite Very Hungry Caterpillar activities that celebrate this classic children’s book.

1. Caterpillar Necklace

This caterpillar necklace is a fantastic way to get kids’ imaginations going and support fine motor skills. This simple activity involves threading dyed penne noodles and paper discs cut from construction paper onto a piece of yarn. Tie off the ends, and your kids will have a fancy necklace to share with their families.

Learn more: Hands On as We Grow

2. Tissue Paper Butterflies

Colorful butterflies made from construction paper and cut squares of tissue paper

This colorful craft is as fun as it is pretty! Children tear squares from thick sheets of tissue paper and glue them onto a pre-cut card-stock butterfly to replicate the one at the end of the book.

Learn more: Preschool Play

3. Hungry Caterpillar Puppets

A caterpillar and a

Download the free printable or create your own puppets based on the story. Regardless of whether kids want to re-create the story from memory or create their own, fun is sure to be had!

Learn more: Sugar, Spice, and Glitter

4. Caterpillar Headband

Children's headband made from construction paper- red for the band, purple for the antennae and green and yellow for the eyes

After reading the story, make these fun caterpillar headbands out of colored construction paper and have a fun parade around the classroom!

Learn more: Lisa’s Libraryland

5. Egg Carton Caterpillar

Egg carton caterpillars in front of The Very Hungry Caterpillar book

No activity roundup for The Very Hungry Caterpillar would be complete without the classic egg carton caterpillar. Yes, it’s been done before, but it’s one of those memorable activities (and keepsakes) that every kid loves.

Learn more: Two Pink Peonies

6. Beaded Caterpillar

The Very Hungry Caterpillar book is in the background on a table. A green leaf has a caterpillar on it that is constructed from a red pipe cleaner and beads. (very hungry caterpillar activities)

We love how simple this project is, since all you will need are some pipe cleaners and beads and maybe some green card stock. Kids will be working on their fine motor control while getting creative.

Learn more: Artsy Craftsy Mom

7. Paper Plate Caterpillar

Classroom craft of a very hungry caterpillar made from paper plates with each day labelled and filled with the food the caterpillar ate in the story. (Very Hungry Caterpillar activities)

This activity helps students engage with the story, learn the days of the week, practice their counting skills, and learn about healthy eating!

Learn more: Learning Through Play

8. Tissue Box Caterpillar

A tissue box has a caterpillar on the top of it. The body has holes in it. There are red and green pom poms to put inside the box. (very hungry caterpillar activities)

Create a caterpillar on the top of a tissue box, then poke holes in the caterpillar’s body. Finally, have your students work on their fine motor skills by dropping red and green pom-poms into the holes.

Learn more: Happy Tot Shelf

9. Caterpillar Letter Sort

Letter sort activity made from index cards and round green stickers with letters printed on them

Being able to recognize the similarities and differences between letters is an important skill for early readers and writers. With this fun activity, kids build caterpillars letter by letter by sorting them into curves and straights.

Learn more: Growing Book by Book

10. Cupcake Liner Caterpillars

A caterpillar is made from green and red flattened cupcake liners. (very hungry caterpillars)

Flatten some green and red cupcake liners, add googly eyes and sequins, then create this adorable caterpillar. You can get other colored cupcake liners as well so you can create the butterfly at the end of the book too!

Learn more: In the Playroom

11. Clothespin Story Retelling

A story retelling tool for the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar made from a paper caterpillar body and head with clothespins with pictures of different food attached to it

This activity is a fun way to work on another important literacy skill: sequencing. After reading the story together, students can retell it in order by clipping the story sequence circles (download here) onto the caterpillar body.

Learn more: School Time Snippets

12. Caterpillar Word Puzzles

A word puzzle for students made from a drawing of a caterpillar cut into vertical strips. Each strip has a different letter of the word 'caterpillar' printed on it.

These simple, colorful word puzzles are a novel way to practice letter sounds, shape recognition, word building, and fine motor skills. Download templates here.

Learn more: Playdough to Plato

13. LEGO Caterpillar Creations

A caterpillar is made from legos on a gray baseplate.

Challenge your students to create scenes from The Very Hungry Caterpillar using LEGO or even Duplos.

Learn more: Spongy Kids

14. Caterpillar Fine Motor Activity

A child's hands punch holes into construction paper shapes on a background of black and white stripes

Speaking of fine motor skills, kids will love this activity. They will chomp and munch through the fruit shapes using a caterpillar hole punch. Have them retell the story as they munch so you can check for comprehension.

Learn more: Modern Preschool

15. Grassy Caterpillar

A caterpillar craft made from segments of dirt and grass with googly eyes and pipe cleaner antennae (Very Hungry Caterpillar activities)

Get your hands dirty and give a little nature lesson while celebrating The Very Hungry Caterpillar. This blog gives you step-by-step directions (scroll down to Thursday’s entry) for creating your own project.

Learn more: Toys in the Dryer

16. A Butterfly’s Life Cycle

A white plate is divided into four categories, egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly.

Read the story to your students, then create the life cycle of a butterfly. We love Very Hungry Caterpillar activities that can be re-created using items you likely already have at home or can gather during a nature walk.

Learn more: Somewhat Simple

17. Caterpillar Pop-Up Book

A caterpillar craft made from rings of construction paper connected together sitting on top of a leaf made from green tissue paper squares

This adorable book features a little caterpillar lying on a leaf on the cover, his cozy cocoon on the back, and the butterfly he becomes in the middle. Hang these books from your classroom ceiling for a colorful display.

Learn more: Mrs. T’s First Grade Class

18. Storytelling Basket

A basket filled with a plush caterpillar and items of toy food with the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar in front (Very Hungry Caterpillar activities)

Use this fun basket when reading the story with your class, then have it available afterward for kids to enjoy in a choice center. Include the book, a caterpillar, a butterfly, and plastic foods for the caterpillar to munch on.

Learn more: The Imagination Tree

19. Play Dough Scenes

Five images are shown in a collage. Various scenes from the Very Hungry Caterpillar ar constructed from play dough.

This activity will be sure to delight your students since young kids love to play with play dough. Provide them with a rainbow of colors, then watch as they re-create scenes from the beloved story.

Learn more: Rainy Day Mum

20. Caterpillar Fingerprint Counting

A worksheet showing caterpillars made from fingertips dipped in paint

Looking for Very Hungry Caterpillar activities that combine art and math? These free fingerprint counting printables make learning number sense fun while giving your kids a chance to get their hands messy. Also, check out Totschooling’s free dot-paint packet, which includes tons of activities to help kids work on fine motor skills, counting skills, prereading and prewriting skills, and more.

Learn more: Totschooling

21. Hungry Caterpillar Bug Jars

Hungry caterpillar bug jars made from empty jars, pom poms, googly eyes and pipe cleaners

Use pom-poms, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes to create these adorable caterpillars. Cut out some fresh green leaves, pop them in a mason jar, and give your students their very own lovable pet.

Learn more: Olives Originals

22. Classroom Caterpillar

A caterpillar craft made from ten sheets of card stock, one for the head and 9 for the body (Very Hungry Caterpillar activities)

Have each student paint a green circle on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of white card stock. If you have time to take and print photos of each child, have them glue their photo inside of their circle. If not, ask each student to draw a self-portrait. Join the children’s pages together with staples or tape and add the caterpillar’s head (see photo for sample). Hang your class caterpillar in the hall outside your classroom or on your door to share with your school.

Learn more: The Educators’ Spin on It

23. Caterpillar Names

A caterpillar is constructed of construction paper. Each section of the body is a different letter that spells Aubrie.

While crafts are great for working our little ones’ creative minds, we love that this project works on letter recognition, name building, and pattern creation as well.

Learn more: Littlest Bookworms

24. Apple Caterpillars

Green and red apple slices are put together to form a caterpillar.

Use the Very Hungry Caterpillar story as a jumping-off point for a discussion about healthy eating, then have your students create this adorable snack. Be sure to check for allergies before creating this tasty little guy with your little chefs.

Learn more: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons

25. Food Printables

A little boy spreads food printables out on a white sheet. (very hungry caterpillar activities)

Use this free printable to create fruit, caterpillar, leaf, and butterfly pieces, then spread them out on a large white sheet on the floor. Test your students’ recollection skills as they act out the events in the story.

Learn more: Artsy Momma

What are your favorite Very Hungry Caterpillar activities? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers Helpline group on Facebook.

Also, check out the best camping books for kids.





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