Here are 12 of our favorite simple caterpillar crafts and activities for kids in preschool and the early primary grades. These fun caterpillar craft ideas are a great way to learn more about these fascinating creatures.
RELATED: fun butterfly crafts kids love to make
Easy Caterpillar Crafts
Caterpillars are one of nature’s most fascinating little creatures, and what better way to learn about them than through hands-on crafting fun?
These 12 cute and easy caterpillar crafts are perfect for kids who love to be creative while discovering the magic of these wiggly critters.
Not only do these crafts offer a fun way to learn more about caterpillars, but they also help little hands build fine motor skills through cutting, gluing, threading, and painting.
Whether you’re diving into a spring or insect unit at school or just looking for a playful activity at home, these caterpillar crafts are sure to bring lots of creativity and learning to the table.
10 Fun Facts About Caterpillar’s
did you know that …
- Caterpillars Have a BIG Appetite! – These tiny creatures eat a lot—some can munch through 100 times their own weight in just a few weeks!
- They Have Up to 4,000 Muscles! – While humans only have about 600 muscles, caterpillars have thousands to help them wiggle, crawl, and climb.
- Caterpillars Move in a Funny Way! – They use their many legs to create a wave-like motion, almost like doing the worm dance!
- They Have Fake Legs! – Those squishy back legs aren’t real legs at all. They’re called prolegs and help them grip onto leaves.
- Caterpillars Can Be Fuzzy, Spiky, or Smooth! – Some are covered in furry bristles, while others have spikes or look completely smooth.
- They Shed Their Skin Like a Snake! – As they grow, caterpillars outgrow their skin and molt (shed) several times before turning into a chrysalis.
- Some Look Like Poop! – Yes, really! Some caterpillars pretend to be bird poop to trick predators into leaving them alone.
- They Have Fake Eyes! – Some caterpillars have eye-like spots on their bodies to scare away birds and other animals.
- They Hang Upside Down to Transform! – Right before becoming a butterfly or moth, caterpillars attach themselves to a branch and hang in a J-shape.
- They Turn Into Goo! – Inside their chrysalis, caterpillars completely break down into liquid before reshaping into a butterfly or moth. Nature is amazing!
12+ Fun Caterpillar Crafts For Kids
Torn Paper Caterpillar Craft
Visit this post to get our free printable caterpillar template to make this craft.
Paper Plate Caterpillar Craft
Head over to this post from Made To Be A Momma to see how this paper plate caterpillar craft is made.
Pom Pom Caterpillar Crafts
Visit this post from Homeschool Preschool to see how these cute caterpillar’s are made.
Beaded Caterpillar Crafts
Go to this post from Messy Little Monsters to see how this clever craft is made.
Wiggling Caterpillar Craft
Head over to this post from Fireflies and Mudpies to get step-by-step instructions to make this craft at home or in the classroom.
Pom Pom Caterpillar Crafts
Visit this post from Attachment Mummy to see how this cute caterpillar craft is made.
Paper Plate Caterpillar Craft
Go to this post from Happy Toddler Playtime to see how this caterpillar craft is made.
Colorful Paper Caterpillar Craft
Visit this post from Easy Peasy and Fun to see how this simple craft can be made at home or in your classroom.
Caterpillar Name Craft
Go to this post from Crafty Bee Creations to get the free template you’ll need.
Potato Stamped Caterpillar
Head over to this post from This Crafty Family to see how this cute caterpillar craft is made.
Caterpillar Suncatcher
Go to this post from Fireflies and Mudpies to see how this suncatcher craft is made.
Paper Chain Caterpillar Crafts
Check out this post from Where Imagination Grows to see how this craft is made.
Button Caterpillar Crafts
Visit this post from Where Imagination Grows to see how this cute caterpillar craft is made.
Toilet Paper Roll Caterpillar Craft
Head over to this post from Hello Wonderful to see how this clever craft is made.
More Animal Crafts For Kids
- Bat crafts
- Bumblebee crafts
- Bunny crafts
- Butterfly crafts
- Caterpillar crafts
- Cow crafts
- Eagle crafts
- Elephant crafts
- Fish crafts
- Fox crafts
- Hedgehog crafts
- Kangaroo crafts
- Koala crafts
- Ladybug crafts
- Lion crafts
- Otter crafts
- Owl crafts
- Panda crafts
- Penguin crafts
- Polar bear crafts
- Shark crafts
- Sloth crafts
- Snail crafts
- Wolf crafts
- Zebra crafts
- Newspaper animal craft
- Zoo animal crafts
- Paper cup animal crafts
- Popsicle stick animal crafts
- Toilet paper roll animal crafts
- Paper plate animal crafts
Books We Love
At This Tiny Blue House, we love reading and enjoy finding books that go along with the fun, craftivities we share.
If your kids are as curious about caterpillars as we are, we’ve put together a list of our favorite caterpillar themed-books to go along with the caterpillar crafts above.
These books are filled with adventure, friendship, and important life lessons, making them a great way for young readers to learn more about these amazing little insects!
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar – This classic story follows a little caterpillar with a big appetite as he munches through various foods before transforming into a beautiful butterfly. With its colorful illustrations and interactive die-cut pages, it’s a favorite for young readers!
- Ten Little Caterpillars – This rhyming book introduces ten different caterpillars on unique adventures, with one lucky caterpillar turning into a butterfly. The simple text and gorgeous illustrations by Lois Ehlert make it a delightful read-aloud.
- Charlie the Caterpillar– Charlie is a friendly caterpillar who faces rejection from other insects—until he transforms into a butterfly and learns the value of kindness. A heartwarming tale about friendship and self-acceptance.
- The Crunching Munching Caterpillar – This sweet story follows a caterpillar who dreams of flying like the birds and butterflies around him. Kids will love the touch-and-feel textures and the uplifting message about patience and transformation.
- Caterpillar Spring, Butterfly Summer – This adorable book features a springy, bouncy caterpillar that kids can touch and play with as they read about his journey to becoming a butterfly. The rhyming text and interactive format make it a fun and engaging read for little hands.
- Waiting for Wings – With vibrant collage-style illustrations, this book beautifully explains the life cycle of butterflies through simple, poetic text. It’s both a story and a science lesson, making it a great pick for the classroom or bedtime reading.
Before You Go
There you go! – 12+ adorable caterpillar crafts kids of all ages will enjoy making.
Are you planning to make any of these caterpillar crafts?
We want to see the finished product – so snap a photo and reach out to us on Facebook to show us your creation.
