DIY Egg Carton Caterpillar Craft For Preschoolers
This easy hungry caterpillar craft is the perfect way to use materials you probably already have at home. Kids can make one like the Hungry Caterpillar or design a colorful, creative egg carton caterpillar.
Springtime is the perfect time for kids to create caterpillars. With just a little bit of help, preschoolers and kids of all ages can have so much fun making a recyclable egg carton craft.
Why You Will Love This Art Idea
Supplies You’ll Need
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*We only used green and red tempera paint since we were reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar book by Eric Carle.
Before You Begin
Before early learners can make this fun craft, an adult should cut the caterpillar’s body from the egg cartons.
- CUT LID – Remove the top of the egg carton. You may want to save the extra lid to put the paint in.
- CUT CATERPILLAR BODY – Each caterpillar will be made of six egg cups. Cut your egg carton carrier part in half.
- TRIM EXTRA CARDBOARD
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Paint The Egg Carton & Let Dry
You can use Very Hungry Caterpillar colors or your own colors. The finished preschool project used yellow mixed with green for the body and red on the face.
Step 2: Glue On Eyes
Glue or stick eyes on the front.
Step 3: Poke A Hole In The Top Of The Head
Use a pen or tip of scissors to poke a small hole in the top of the head.
Step 4: Make Antannae
Cut a normal-sized pipe cleaner in half. Twist the bottom together.
Step 5: Add Antennae
Stick the twisted pipe cleaner through the head of the caterpillar.
Optional: Add Vowels Or Other Details
If you are working on learning the vowels then this is a great addition to your caterpillar. Add a,e,i,o,u to the 5 parts of the body.
Tips
- Flipping over your “cardboard” carrier made it easier to cut.
- Make sure you use good scissors.
- Make an egg carton butterfly to go along with your caterpillar.
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More Easy Crafts For Kids
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- Cute Hungry Caterpillar Sculptures For Kids
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Egg Carton Caterpillar Craft Tutorial
Equipment
- Scissors for adults to cut egg carton
- Glue Bottle if googly eyes are not stickers
Supplies
- Pre-Cut Egg Carton 1/2 of a cardboard one
- Tempera Paint we only used green mixed with yellow and red since we were talking about the Very Hungry Caterpillar
- Paint brush
- Googly Eyes
- 1/2 piece Pipe Cleaner
Instructions
Prep Egg Carton
- Cut cardboard egg carton in half and so it can sit nicely on a table.
Making Your Caterpillar
- Use tempera paint to paint the body and face. You can mix colors or use colors like the Very Hungry Caterpillar.
- Let the painted egg carton fully dry.
- Glue on googly eyes. You can also draw on a mouth or other details.
- An adult should poke a hole in the top of the head.
- Twist pipe cleaner in half at the bottom to make two anntanae.
- Poke twisted pipe cleaner in the hole in the head.
Notes
- You can add feet with paper of pipe cleaners.
- If studying the vowels in preschool, you could as a,e,i,o,u paper cut-outs on top of the caterpillar to help reinforce that concept.