The next time you're looking for a fun craft to do with your kids turn to the humble caterpillar. There are so many ways to recreate this insect in crafts, from simple pipe cleaner caterpillars to playful puppet caterpillars to rock garden caterpillars that can be used as decorations on a playroom shelf.
Some of these caterpillar crafts are inspired by real caterpillars, but we also have lots of 'The Very hungry Caterpillar' crafts that are perfect for younger children that enjoy this popular story.
Listed below we have over 25 caterpillar craft ideas for you to browse through, so have some fun exploring these cute caterpillar crafts for preschoolers, toddlers and big kids too!
You might want to check out butterfly crafts too!
Caterpillar Crafts for Preschoolers
Pom Pom Caterpillar Craft
These pom-pom caterpillars are terrific for toddlers and preschoolers. They're colourful, fuzzy, soft, and so easy to make. All you need are some colourful pom-poms, googly eyes, and glue. If you want to make cute leaves to go along with them, you'll also need construction paper or cardstock, scissors, and a hole punch. Aren't they adorable?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Puppet Craft
These Very Hungry Caterpillar puppets are a great way to get your toddler or preschooler interested in the classic book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Let them make their own puppets and act out the story together!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Pipe Cleaner Craft
Your child will love this fabulously fun and easy Very Hungry Caterpillar pipe cleaner craft. This is such an adorable way to celebrate the character from Carle's book. You'll need some pipe cleaners, craft sticks, and glue to complete this project. It's a fun one for the classroom, too!
Bead Caterpillars Craft
This bead caterpillar craft is a simple craft that you can use to get in some fine motor practice with your preschooler. Gather some pipe cleaners, pony beads of different colours or shapes, and let the fun begin! Your kids will love making these adorable caterpillars to play with once they're done. Don't forget to print out the leaf templates to make some leaves for the caterpillars to go through.
More Cute Caterpillar Crafts for Kids
C is for Caterpillar Craft
If you're looking for cute alphabet activities, add this C is for Caterpillar craft from The Simple Parent to your list. It's so adorable and super easy, especially if you use a circle punch to cut out the circles.
How to Draw a Caterpillar
While some kids prefer crafting, some prefer drawing. If you have a budding artist on your hands, work through this How to Draw a Caterpillar tutorial from Easy Peasy and Fun. You'll have a cute caterpillar drawn out and ready to colour in no time.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Sponge Painting Craft
Kids who enjoy mostly independent crafts will enjoy making this Very Hungry Caterpillar sponge painting from Buggy and Buddy. It's as simple as setting out the paints and sponges for your little one to get started. Add the eyes, legs, and antennae, and you're all set with a caterpillar that looks just like the iconic character.
Fingerprint Caterpillars
If you're looking to add some fine motor practice to your craft time, try making these fingerprint caterpillars from Our Kid Things. They are made with your child's fingerprints and will make a sweet addition to your scrapbook. String some of the leaves together to make an adorable banner for a caterpillar-themed party!
3D Paper Caterpillar Craft
Kids will love this 3D paper caterpillar from Easy Peasy and Fun. Use the printable template to cut the paper exactly as needed to create the cool bendy effect.
Movable Caterpillar Craft
This fun, wiggly caterpillar from Fireflies and Mud Pies is as much fun to play with as it is to make. Thanks to the brass fasteners, each segment can move and wiggle. The watercolours are just beautiful, but you could also use crayons or markers to colour in the circles if you prefer.
Button Caterpillar Craft
This cute button caterpillar craft from Divine Lifestyle is a great way to make colourful caterpillars while also getting in some fine motor development at the same time. This project requires just a few things you probably already have around the house: buttons, googly eyes, glue, and pipe cleaners.
Suncatcher Caterpillar Craft
This fun, simple caterpillar suncatcher from Fireflies and Mud Pies is a fabulous way to dress up your window. It's sure to brighten everyone's day! Just grab a few playdough lids, some googly eyes, and a few other supplies to get started.
Handprint Caterpillar Craft
This adorable handprint caterpillar craft from The Soccer Mom Blog is easy to do and will be a great keepsake the kids can look back on when they get older. We love that siblings can work on this one together, with each child contributing a handprint to make the caterpillar's feet.
Letter C Foam Craft
Here's another letter C activity that's made with craft foam instead of paper. It adds a little dimension to the craft and is quite durable. It would make a cute decoration for the classroom or a child's bedroom, especially if their name starts with C.
Popsicle Stick Caterpillar Craft
This colourful popsicle stick caterpillar from Crafts 4 Toddlers is a fun way to practice making squares and working on colours with toddlers and preschoolers. It'll also make a cute decoration!
Pasta Caterpillar Craft
Here's a fun caterpillar craft for your preschooler to make. This cute pasta caterpillar craft from Powerful Mothering requires some painted pasta and pipe cleaners for the kids to decorate with. Threading the pipe cleaners through the pasta is good for fine motor practice.
Fine Motor Caterpillar
Speaking of fine motor practice, you don't want to miss this fine motor caterpillar from Learning and Exploring Through Play. It's made with sticks, pom-poms, and pipe cleaners, and kids get to practice winding the pipe cleaners around the sticks to make the caterpillar's body.
Potato Masher Stamped Caterpillar Craft
If you're looking for a fun stamping craft, check out this potato masher-stamped caterpillar from Happy Toddler Playtime. Your kids will love making these colourful caterpillars! This is a quick craft that lets kids feel accomplished in a short amount of time. Plus, learning to paint with new tools is always a valuable skill.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Paper Plate Craft
We love a good paper plate craft. This one from Arty Crafty Kids is a Very Hungry Caterpillar-themed paper plate craft that's sure to bring out your child's creativity as they decorate the plate to look like a leaf for the caterpillar to munch his way through.
Cupcake Liner Caterpillar Craft
Here's a cute and easy caterpillar craft that uses cupcake liners to make the head and body segments. This cupcake liner caterpillar is from In the Playroom and can be used for various early childhood education activities to pair with The Very Hungry Caterpillar book. It's great for toddlers!
Rainbow Button Caterpillar Craft
Here's a simple rainbow button caterpillar craft from Artsy Craftsy Mom. Just grab some craft sticks and buttons to create a fun caterpillar that the kids can use as decor or take with them on the go. It would make a cute bookmark or magnet.
Egg Carton Caterpillars Craft
This cute egg carton caterpillar from Kids Activities is a fun way to use up some of those stray egg cartons you've tucked away for crafting on a rainy day. You can paint the egg carton (practice colour mixing primary colours to create secondary ones!) or leave them as-is.
Alphabet Caterpillars Craft
If you're looking for a fun way to practice letter recognition, make these adorable alphabet caterpillars from Our Kid Things. They give the kids some literacy skills while also allowing them to get crafty.
Rock Caterpillar
For a simple caterpillar craft, try this rock caterpillar from Nellie Bellie. It's made with painted rocks and is sure to delight your little ones! It's also fun for the older kids who may want to paint more intricate designs on each of the caterpillar's segments.
Paper Plate Caterpillars
Paper plate crafts are a preschooler favourite. This simple paper plate caterpillar craft from In the Playroom is an easy way to make an adorable caterpillar in no time! Kids will love how adorable this little guy is when they're all done, plus it's a great way to work on those colouring skills. Paint is an option if you'd rather do that than colouring with markers. Wouldn't watercolours look gorgeous?
Life Cycle of a Butterfly
Learn about the life cycle of the butterfly from an egg, to a caterpillar, to a chrysalis and finally to a butterfly with this simple butterfly life cycle printable. Kids will love getting outdoors and collecting pieces of nature to represent each stage.
We hope you enjoyed our roundup of 25 cute caterpillar crafts for kids! When you're looking to incorporate some arts and crafts into your day, take a look at these simple-but-fun projects. If you want to explore with your kids how caterpillars change into butterflies check out our list of butterfly crafts for kids.
A really fun hands-on way to explore the changes that take place as caterpillars turn into butterflies is to buy a butterfly growing kit. We do this every year and the kids always love it!
Keep in mind that many of the caterpillar craft ideas here can be adapted for different age groups by simply changing up materials or altering the project instructions. Whether you are looking for caterpillar crafts for preschoolers, toddlers or older children there is something in this list of caterpillar crafts for everyone.
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