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You are here: Home / Spring Activities / Egg Carton Caterpillar Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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Egg Carton Caterpillar Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers

March 30, 2017 by Sheryl Cooper

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Inside: This caterpillar craft, made from egg cartons, is a classic you probably made as a kid. It’s a fun activity to include while learning about the butterfly life cycle!

Right around the time we return from spring break, our caterpillars arrive. We will spend days watching them grow before they enter the chrysalis stage.

During this time, we like to make our own caterpillars using recycled egg cartons, wiggly eyes, paint, and pipe cleaners.

And then, we will wait some more until they emerge as butterflies!

Egg Carton Caterpillar Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers
 
 
 

Egg Carton Caterpillar Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers

What you will need for this activity:

Live butterfly culture (if you want to show your children the life cycle)

Recycled egg cartons

Googly eyes

Tempera paint

Pipe cleaners

 
Caterpillar Preschool Craft
 
When our caterpillars arrive, we notice how small they are. Each day we record how much larger they have become. It’s amazing how quickly they grow!
 

The first part of this activity:

I cut the egg cartons so that each child got 3 sections. Then, they painted them.

 
 
Caterpillar Preschool Craft
 
 
 

The second part of this activity:

Once they are dry, use scissors to poke 2 holes at the front of the egg carton. The children will then push the pipe cleaner through one end and out the other, so that both ends are sticking out of the top. We twist them a bit. Then, glue the eyes on.

 
 
Caterpillar Preschool Craft
 
 
.
 
Caterpillar Preschool Craft
 
 
While we read books about caterpillars, we learned they have 12 eyes. But, the children only wanted to put 2 on them, since that is how many eyes they have. They also wanted to add smiley faces with Sharpies. I am fine with this. As long as they understand the true caterpillar. And we talked about this a lot.
 
 
Caterpillar Preschool Craft
 
Now we wait for our real caterpillars to turn into butterflies! Such a fun activity!
 
 
Caterpillar Preschool Craft
 
 
 


Egg Carton Caterpillar Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers

Bugs and Butterfly Lesson Plans

I’m so excited to be one of the authors of these hands-on lesson plans for toddlers and for preschoolers!

Easy to follow lesson plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners.

Note: This is a digital product. Links to downloads will be sent to you after purchase!

For more information, click on the graphics below:

Toddler Lesson Plans Bugs and Butterflies preschool lesson plans bugs and butterflies

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Filed Under: Art, preschool, Spring Activities, Toddlers Tagged With: art, preschool, science, spring

About Sheryl Cooper

Sheryl Cooper is the founder of Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds, a website full of activities for toddlers and preschoolers. She has been teaching this age group for over 20 years and loves to share her passion with teachers, parents, grandparents, and anyone with young children in their lives.

Previous Post: « How to Put Together Fine Motor Strengthening Activities
Next Post: Spring Sensory Bins for Toddlers and Preschoolers »

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Comments

  1. Anonymous

    May 21, 2012 at 1:50 am

    What a fantastic idea. we painted an egg cartom this morning. i think this afternoon we will make some caterpillars oit of it. 🙂
    Cindy

    • Sheryl @ Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

      May 21, 2012 at 3:07 pm

      Thanks, Cindy! They are so much fun to make.

  2. Chris

    May 22, 2012 at 12:16 am

    Hi Sheryl, just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

    • Sheryl @ Teaching 2 and 3 Year Olds

      May 22, 2012 at 3:34 am

      Welcome, Chris! I’m happy to share. Looking forward to viewing your website!

  3. Gameiva

    March 31, 2017 at 7:04 am

    Hello,

    Thanks for sharing this type of blog. i really like it. Keep sharing.

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