Egg Carton Caterpillar Craft for Toddlers and Preschoolers

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

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

The first part of this activity:

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

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.