<![CDATA[www.123playandlearn.com - Caterpillar]]>Tue, 11 Nov 2025 23:24:55 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Egg Carton Caterpillars]]>Wed, 20 Aug 2014 19:19:57 GMThttps://www.123playandlearn.com/caterpillar/egg-carton-caterpillarsMaterials:
  • cardboard egg carton
  • scissors
  • green paint
  • paintbrush
  • markers
  • pipe cleaners
  • tape

Instructions:
  1. Cut off the top of the egg carton, and cut the bottom half into two long strips to make two caterpillars.
  2. Place the egg carton strips upside down so that the hollow of the cups cannot be seen. Paint them green, and allow the paint to dry. Use markers to add details, such as the eyes, nose, and a mouth.
  3. Cut two pipe cleaners in half to make antennae. Use the point of your scissors to create small holes at the top of the head before inserting the antennae.
  4. Cut four pipe cleaners into thirds. Insert one piece of pipe cleaner on the side of each cup to create the caterpillar’s legs.
  5. Inside each egg cup, bend down the ends of the pipe cleaners. Tape can be used to secure the antennae and legs.

Here are some more ideas for caterpillars:
Eric Carle Inspired Caterpillar Treat made with Apple Jacks by GummyLump.com
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Crafts & Activities by Crafts-N-Things for Children
A Life Size Very Hungary Caterpillar by Learning and Teaching with Preschoolers
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Felt Food by Living Crafts
balloon print very hungry caterpillar by Meet the Dubiens
Caterpillar Sandwich For Spring by Kiboomu!
Balloon Print Caterpillar by Moments of Mommyhood
Caterpillar Color Bingo by Learning and Teaching with Preschoolers
]]><![CDATA[Building a Caterpillar]]>Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:43:56 GMThttps://www.123playandlearn.com/caterpillar/building-a-caterpillar


Paint paper plates different colors and add numbers to them. You can have the children assist with this. Add a face and antennae to the number 1 plate. Encourage the children to build a caterpillar by arranging the plate in order by numbers.
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]]><![CDATA[Paper Caterpillar]]>Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:37:22 GMThttps://www.123playandlearn.com/caterpillar/paper-caterpillar
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  1. Cut long strips of green and red construction paper.
  2. Help the children to tape the strips of paper into loops and then staple them together.
  3. Provide pipe cleaners, googly eyes, and markers for each child to complete their own paper caterpillar.
]]><![CDATA[Come learn some phonics with Ruby!]]>Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:27:50 GMThttps://www.123playandlearn.com/caterpillar/come-learn-some-phonics-with-ruby


Ruby the Caterpillar is learning to read.

First she needs to learn the sounds of the letters.
 
Come learn some phonics with Ruby!

 Caterpillar Matching and Phonics Activity

Appropriate for 4 years and up

 Materials needed: 
  • cookie sheet
  • alphabet
  • 3x5 index cards cut in half
  • caterpillar stickers
  • wiggly eyes
  • large paper clips
  • magnets
  • popsicle stick
  • pipe cleaners




Alphabet cards: On each index card write a letter of the alphabet (use lower case letters). Affix the caterpillar sticker. For the caterpillar match make sure there are enough letters to match the word.

Put a large paper clip on each letter card.
Making caterpillars: Let the children create their own caterpillar. Wrap the Popsicle stick with the pipe cleaner, add wiggly eyes, glue on a round magnet at the head of the caterpillar (underneath)

(Note of caution: Any time you use magnets, wiggly eyes, paper clips or anything small enough to swallow careful supervision is required).
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Instructions:
As the child picks a letter, say the letter sound. Using the caterpillar let the child move the letter in to place.
]]><![CDATA[Caterpillar Math and Literacy]]>Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:02:18 GMThttps://www.123playandlearn.com/caterpillar/caterpillar-math-and-literacy


This project is a good way to combine math and literacy.  Have the children put the numbers in order on the letter C.  Then have them count the dots.
]]><![CDATA[Meet Munchy the Hungry Caterpillar!]]>Mon, 21 Oct 2013 05:03:13 GMThttps://www.123playandlearn.com/caterpillar/meet-munchy-the-hungry-caterpillar
Little Munchy Caterpillar is so hungry he eats all day long. Here is a fun file folder game that helps Munchy keep track of how much he is munching!

Caterpillar and Leaf File folder Math Game
Rhyme: Munchy Caterpillar by Debbie Hasbrook M.Ed.
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Materials needed: file folder, caterpillar, leaves, construction paper, glue, markers, scissors, contact paper or laminate.
Instructions:

Cut out 21 small leaves. You can have the children do this, buy stickers, or you can purchase silk leaves at the variety store. Back and laminate to make them sturdy. Store them in a zip lock bag.
Cut out branches, draw them in, or use pipe cleaners, or real branches. Place in different directions on the page.
                          Right side of file folder
Write in numbers around the page. You could also use number stickers.
 

Laminate or contact paper the whole file without the leaves
How to play: Say the rhyme and let the children choose a number. Let them count out the correct number of leaves and place them next to the number. Repeat until all the numbers are filled with yummy leaves.
Extension activity: Play this game during circle time. Have the children pretend to munch up the number of leaves chosen. Repeat.
]]><![CDATA[The Very Hungry Caterpillar Lesson Plan and Video]]>Mon, 21 Oct 2013 04:45:40 GMThttps://www.123playandlearn.com/caterpillar/the-very-hungry-caterpillar-lesson-plan-and-videoClick below for the link to the Very Hungry Caterpillar Lesson Plan and Video
http://cdatraining.org/06_Very_Hungry_Caterpillar_Lesson_Plan.pdf
http://www.floridahealth.gov/healthy-people-and-families/wic/index.html
]]><![CDATA[Caterpillar Painting!]]>Mon, 21 Oct 2013 04:17:30 GMThttps://www.123playandlearn.com/caterpillar/caterpillar-painting
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Painting with Caterpillars
 

Materials needed:
  • little fuzzy caterpillars
  • green paper
  • paint
  • small paper plates
  • leaves

Directions: Pour one color per plate, about 3 tablespoons.
Set-up: 
Display pictures of caterpillars around the art table, maybe a jar with caterpillars on a branch. (You can easily make this with fake caterpillars and silk leaves if you can’t find live ones.)
Directions: 
Let the children hold the fuzzy caterpillar and dab it in the paint, then on to the paper. 
Some will print with the caterpillar, some will smear.
 
The process is more important than the product.
Addition: 
As a two-step process you could provide small cut out or purchased leaves for the children to glue their picture when they are done painting.

Literacy component: As the children are creating their picture, listen and write down interesting comments. Attach these to the back of the picture.
]]><![CDATA[Tissue Paper Caterpillar]]>Sat, 19 Oct 2013 18:54:12 GMThttps://www.123playandlearn.com/caterpillar/tissue-paper-caterpillar
Here is what you will need:
  • tissue paper cut into little circles
  • googly eyes
  • watered down glue (Elmer's worked great
  • construction paper
  • paint brushes
  1. Have your child use the brushes to brush on a small amount of watered down glue directly onto the paper, and glue down one tissue paper circle for a head.
  2. For the rest of the body parts, have your child brush some glue onto the tissue paper already on the paper then lay another circle on top.
  3. Glue on googly eyes, and draw in a mouth, and legs and hang up your caterpillar!
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]]><![CDATA[Caterpillar Songs]]>Sat, 19 Oct 2013 18:24:31 GMThttps://www.123playandlearn.com/caterpillar/caterpillar-songs
The Cocoon
I found a cocoon
That a caterpillar made,
Fastened to a leaf
Hanging in the shade.
He barely had room
To wiggle or wag,
Like me zipped up
In my sleeping bag.
I looked each time
That I passed his way,
But he never budged
Until just today.
Something happened!
He wagged and wiggled
And then climbed out
And carefully jiggled
Small wet wings
That grew as they dried.
He'd turned to a butterfly
Inside!
Caterpillar, Caterpillar
(to the tune of "Motor Boat, Motor Boat")
Caterpillar, caterpillar, long and slow.
Caterpillar, caterpillar eat and grow.
Caterpillar, caterpillar close your eyes.
Caterpillar, caterpillar change your size.
Caterpillar, caterpillar where'd you go? 


Funny Little Caterpillar
Funny little caterpillar
crawling on the ground.
Funny little caterpillar
nowhere to be found.
Though we've looked and looked
and hunted everywhere around! 
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