Paper Chain Caterpillar
Looking for engaging crafts for kids that spark creativity? This adorable paper chain caterpillar cart is perfect for a rainy day or post-story time activity! Simple to make with readily available materials, it’s a fantastic way to boost fine motor skills and imagination. Get ready for some wiggling, crawling caterpillar fun!
If you’ve ever read The Very Hungry Caterpillar book, then you know how adorable it is! It’s the perfect children’s story to create a cute caterpillar craft with. So if you’re planning on reading this classic book in your classroom, or maybe it’s a favorite at home, then grab some basic crafting supplies so that you can create this super cute hungry caterpillar craft! It doesn’t take long to make and is a wonderful way to keep your child’s attention on the book if you tell them they need to pay attention so that they can make the best caterpillar!
This fun activity is just so adorable, from the paper chain body all the way down to the wiggly eyes! I love to pair craft activities with books too. It’s the most fun way to make memories with precious books. My brown bear paper plate craft is so much fun to pair with Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, and this simple craft is the best addition to The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Extend the joy of reading time with this easy caterpillar craft!
Why You’ll Love this Paper Chain Caterpillar
- It only takes 35 minutes to make this caterpillar paper craft. So if craft time is limited or your littles have a short attention span, this is just the craft to create.
- Cutting, gluing, and folding are all wonderful ways to refine fine motor skills. If we can get kiddos working on essential skills while having loads of fun, it’s a win win for everyone!
- Book related crafts are a wonderful way to instill a love of reading. It’s important to show young children how important reading is, and classic books are always the sweetest way to create a love of reading in little book worms.
Supplies Needed
- Leaf template – Don’t have a print? No worries! You can free hand the shape of the leaf if you want. You can also leave off the leaf completely if you want.
- Cardstock – You will need different shades of green, red, and black cardstock to make this paper craft. You can also use construction paper, just keep in mind that it won’t be as sturdy as card stock.
- Marker – Grab a metallic marker, green marker or black marker to create lines and details on the leaf cutout.
- Googly eyes – Use the small size of googly eyes on the strip of red construction paper or cardstock to make the head of your paper chain caterpillar craft.
- Black pen – You can also just use a black marker! You’ll need something to draw a little smile on your caterpillar.
- Stapler – If you do not have a stapler, then use glue or glue dots to attach the ends of the paper strips together to make the paper chain loop.
- Glue stick – A simple glue stick is all that you need to attach the antenna to your hungry caterpillar paper chain.
- Scissors – If you are making this craft with young children, then I recommend using safety scissors.
How to Make this Paper Chain Caterpillar
- Cut four evenly sized strips from green cardstock. You can use different shades of green if you want! Cut one red strip of the same size too.
- Bring the ends of one green strip together in a loop and staple to secure them together. Then slide another green strip through the first loop and staple it together. Repeat this process with all green strips to make a green paper chain.
- Bring the red strip through the last green strip and staple to secure. Cut a simple V shape out of black cardstock and then secure it to the top of the red loop as antennae.
- Add the small googly eyes to the caterpillar’s head and then use a pen or marker to create a mouth.
- Print the leaf template and trace it onto green cardstock, then cut it out. Use a marker and create simple leaf veins to complete your paper chain caterpillar!
Is The Very Hungry Caterpillar good for children?
This classic book was written specifically with kids in mind! It is a wonderful story book with a fun character that will keep a child’s attention from beginning to end. A great book for kids.
Pro Tips for the Best Paper Chain Caterpillar
- To make the strips of paper even, use a ruler and a pencil to make a light mark that you can cut along. This will help ensure that each strip of paper is the same size which will help you caterpillar look uniform.
- Add any crafting materials you want to your very silly caterpillar! Pipe cleaners, stickers, glitter, craft gemstones — you could even draw on each link of the paper chain. The possibilities are endless!
- If you are making this craft with younger children, consider pre-cutting the strips of paper so that all they have to do is attach them together. It’ll save some time and is a great way to keep little fingers safe!
Isn’t this little caterpillar friend just adorable! Make him this spring and enjoy the sunshiney days with the real caterpillars outside too!
More Paper Crafts You’ll Love
- Ribbet ribbet! this Paper Frog Craft is calling your name. So cute and so easy to make!
- This winter you can make a Paper Polar Bear Craft and enjoy the fun of wintertime indoors instead of out in the cold.
- Make a Heart Flower Bouquet as the cutest little Mother’s Day craft.
- Need some more spring time crafts? Then make this cutie little Paper Plate Chick Craft.
Paper Chain Caterpillar
Ingredients
- Leaf template
- Cardstock different shades of green, red, black
- Marker
- Googly eyes small
- Black pen
- Stapler
- Glue stick
- Scissors
Instructions
- Begin by cutting 4 strips from green cardstock. We made a couple different caterpillars out of different shades of green.
- You will also need to cut one red strip.
- Bring the ends of one green strip together in a loop and staple to secure. Then, bring another green strip through the first loop and staple together. Repeat for all green strips.
- Bring the red strip through the last green strip and staple to secure to complete the caterpillar paper chain.
- Next, cut a simple V shape out of black cardstock.
- Fold the bottom of the V shape and glue to the top of the red loop.
- Add small googly eyes and use a pen to add a simple mouth.
- Finally, print the leaf shape and cut from a different shade of green cardstock.
- Add some simple leaf veins with a marker or metallic pen to complete this darling caterpillar paper chain craft!
