The Very Hungry Caterpillar Craft

If you're on the search for a super fun 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' craft, I have the PERFECT caterpillar craft for your toddler or preschooler! This fun pipe cleaner craft goes brilliantly with the story 'The Very Hungry caterpillar' and it is a great activity for little ones working on fine motor skills. Just scroll down below for full instructions to make your own caterpillar craft!

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Craft



If you're looking for even more caterpillar crafts, you'll love this bead caterpillar craft with printable leaves, this pom pom caterpillar craft and this bug and butterfly book list!

caterpillar craft

Toddlers and preschoolers love finding out about caterpillars and butterflies and this caterpillar craft is so much fun to make whilst your little one learns about caterpillars!

You might also have fun with this butterfly lifecycle activity created using seeds or this butterfly life cycle for kids created using pasta and a paper plate. 


pipe cleaner craft

The Very Hungry Caterpillar craft


Supplies needed for 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' craft


  • 2 jumbo craft sticks
  • Hot glue gun
  • Scissors
  • Pipe cleaners - green,yellow, red, and blue

Directions to make The Very Hungry Caterpillar craft


STEP 1: Gather your supplies


Before you get started, gather up all your supplies. This just makes it lots easier!

pipecleaner craft


STEP 2: Prepare your craft sticks


To get started, cut one of your jumbo craft sticks in half. Cut the other about 1" from the bottom, as shown below.

pipe cleaner caterpillar craft

Next, arrange the cut craft sticks to form a caterpillar shape as pictured below. Then, glue them together using a hot glue gun.

If doing this caterpillar craft with young children an adult will need to prepare the craft sticks in advance.

pipe cleaner the very hungry caterpillar craft

STEP 3: Wrap the craft sticks


Once you've done that, create an "M" shape with blue pipe cleaner, making sure the middle point is flat.

pipe cleaner caterpillar craft

Squish the shape together to form the caterpillar's antenna. Wrap the long end of the blue pipe cleaner around the head to attach it to your craft stick as shown below.

the very hungry caterpillar craft for kids

Continue by wrapping the rest of the head in red pipe cleaners, wrapping around the tip to form a rounded shape.

Toddlers and preschoolers will love wrapping pipe cleaners around the craft sticks to create their very own caterpillar, it is great for working on fine motor skills too!

the very hungry caterpillar craft for preschoolers

Have your toddler or preschooler select various coloured pipe cleaners to wrap around the body. We used green, light green, yellow green, yellow, and blue. Start at the back and wrap them all the way around the caterpillars body.

Don't feel like you need to stick to the colours from 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'. It would be fun to make this caterpillar craft in a whole rainbow of colours!


Continue wrapping until you have fully wrapped the pipe cleaners around the craft stick, as shown below. You can also go back and separate colours as needed.

the very hungry caterpillar craft for toddlers

STEP 4: Finalize caterpillar craft


To finish off this 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' Craft, cut two small pieces of yellow pipe cleaner and bend them in half. Use a green marker to colour the inside. Hot glue them to the face with a small piece of green pipe cleaner for the mouth.

the very hungry caterpillar pipe cleaner craft for kids

Toddlers and preschoolers will have so much fun playing with their caterpillar craft. It would be a great addition to a bug themed small world. 

The Very Hungry Caterpillar craft. A fun pipe cleaner craft for kids

If this pipe cleaner caterpillar craft is a little hard for your child maybe try making a bead caterpillar with leaves to munch on! 



We hope you have a blast making and playing with this fun caterpillar craft! This 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' craft is sure to be your toddler or preschooler's new favourite. Why not make a whole caterpillar family!

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