Preschool Caterpillar Craft

When spring arrives, kids think a lot about bugs. Most kids I know absolutely adore bugs of all kinds, but especially caterpillars. However, not all caterpillars are safe to play with! Make your own play-safe caterpillars by creating these cork-painted caterpillars that can make a foundation for learning basic math skills like counting, patterns, comparison, and basic addition and subtraction. You can also add word families to them to help learn phonics!  Before we begin with our preschool caterpillar craft, here are a few fun caterpillar books!

The Very Hungry CaterpillarCaterpillars, Bugs and Butterflies: Take-Along Guide (Take Along Guides)Ten Wriggly Wiggly CaterpillarsTen Little Caterpillars

Preschool Caterpillar Craft

What you’ll need to make the cork-painted caterpillars craft:

• Champagne corks (1 for each kid)
• Washable paint
• Construction paper
• Googly eyes
• Black pipe cleaners
• Glue

Note: We use champagne corks because of their unique design. The rounded top and flat bottom makes it the perfect tool for little one’s hands and the caterpillars come out delightfully fat. If you can’t find enough corks, try asking a local restaurant that serves champagne if they will set some corks aside for you.

Used Champagne Corks Variety Pack (1lb Pack)Watch them wiggle eyes, Black(500 PIECES) – BULKCreativity Street Chenille Stems/Pipe Cleaners 12 Inch x 6mm 100-Piece, Assorted ColorsSchool Smart 1439240 Non-Toxic Washable Tempera Paint Set, 1-Pint Plastic Bottle, Assorted Fluorescent Color (Pack of 6)Elmer’s Washable School Glue 4 Fl Oz / 118 Ml (Pack of 6)

Preschool Caterpillar Craft Directions

There are a lot of ways you can use these cork caterpillars to learn. Alternate colors to learn about patterns. Count how many spots are in each caterpillar. Compare how many more or how many less spots one caterpillar has than another. Mix colors to see if you can create new caterpillar colors. Cut out the caterpillars once dry for fine motor practice.

Place dots of paint onto a piece of paper or a paper plate. Show the kids how they can dip their cork into the paint, then dab it onto the paper to make a caterpillar’s body. Let the kids explore color, patterns, and varying lengths of caterpillars.

When the kids are done painting, glue two googly eyes onto one of the end circles. Cut two small pieces of black pipe cleaner and glue them to the top of the caterpillar’s head.

Kids will love taking this craft home to their parents and showing off their creations!

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