Paper Chain Caterpillar Craft: Easy Activity For Frugal Fun

Making a paper chain caterpillar craft with kids is an excellent way to practice fine motor skills, color recognition, and more.

As your children piece together strips of colorful paper, they're learning how to measure, cut, and fit the links - all while having fun! With each link that's added, the caterpillar grows in size and shape. Your students get to watch their DIY caterpillar transform.

Find out why crafting a paper chain caterpillar is perfect for learning fun and get easy step-by-step instructions for getting started today!

Enjoy a Simple Craft with This Paper Chain Caterpillar

Making a paper chain caterpillar craft with your kids is an incredibly fun and educational activity that can help them learn about colors as they make a super cute friend.

This craft project is the perfect way to help young children develop their fine motor skills, as they need to measure, cut and link together strips of colorful paper to create the caterpillar's body.

Over the years, I've enjoyed this easy caterpillar craft with my boys many times. It's such an awesome activity that's colorful and rewarding. Plus, you can customize the craft in so many ways, especially as your kids get older!

What You'll Need to Make This Paper Chain Caterpillar Craft

One of the best parts of this easy craft for kids is that you only need a few materials. And you probably have all of these supplies already. If not, you'll find that these supplies are inexpensive. Big win for a frugal activity!

I recommend that you have these materials prepared before you start your DIY caterpillar craft:

• construction paper - I like having a rainbow of colors, especially if you're working on color recognition!
• glue - white glue can work but takes longer to dry so we use glue sticks
• googly eyes
• pipe cleaners - another easy way to add color to your caterpillar
• stickers, stamps, washi tape (optional) - more simple ways to add color and variety

Prang (Formerly Art Street) Construction Paper, 10 Assorted Colors, Standard Weight, 9Westcott 13168 Right- and Left-Handed Scissors, Kids' Scissors, Ages 4-8, 5-Inch Blunt Tip, Assorted, 2 PackElmer's Washable Dissappearing Purple School Glue Sticks, 3 Pack, 6 grams Each (E520)UPINS 1000 Pcs Self Adhesive Googly Wiggle Eyes for DIY, Multi Colors and Sizes Craft Sticker Eyes300pcs Multi-Color Pipe Cleaners and self-Adhesive Wiggle Eyes Sets, Pipe Cleaners Bulk, Art and Craft Supplies, Chenille Stems Pipe Cleaners, Pipe Cleaner for Crafts…6844 PCS Incentive Stickers for Kids,64 Sheets Round Stickers,Animals Happy Face Donuts Cupcakes Stars Hearts Motivational Teacher Classroom Reward Gifts Encourage Kids to Do Chores Go to The ToiletSallyFashion Colored Masking Tape – 10 Roll Multi Pack – 330 Feet x 1 Inch of Colorful Craft Tape – Vibrant Rainbow Colored Painters Tape – Great for Arts & Crafts, Labeling and Color-Coding

 

Preparing for the Activity

Before starting the project with your younger kids, you may want to cut various colors of construction paper into strips that are about 6"x2". I prefer to do this with a paper cutter, because it's faster than doing it with scissors.

If you're working with older kids, I encourage you to have them practice their scissor skills by cutting out the paper strips. Remind your children that the paper strips don't have to be "perfect" and that wavy lines can be cool, too 😉

How to Make This Paper Chain Caterpillar Craft

Have your child choose one paper strip. This strip will be either the head or the tail of their caterpillar craft. Apply glue to one end (or use tape or washi tape) and join it with the other end to make a ring.

Next, choose another paper strip. Loop it through the previous ring before gluing the ends together to form a second ring.

Repeat the process until the caterpillar is as long as you'd like it to be.

Glue two googly eyes to the front of the first ring.

Cut out two short pieces of a pipe cleaner. Twist the end of each pipe cleaner to make curls. Then, tape the pipe cleaners on top of the caterpillar's head.

It can be a bunch of fun to customize your DIY caterpillar craft! Chat with your students about their ideas. Do they want more than two eyes? Multiple antennae?

Maybe they'd like their caterpillar to be in a pattern - like red/blue or red/blue/yellow? The possibilities are almost endless!

Fun Caterpillar Ideas and Activities for Kids

Are you looking for more caterpillar crafts and activities to do with your kids? I’ve gathered some of our favorites so you have plenty to choose from to enjoy learning fun and more.

1. Caterpillar Books for Kids

Reading caterpillar books is a great way to engage kids in how metamorphosis works. As they journey with the caterpillar from egg to cocoon, children learn about life cycles and the science of nature. Oh, our free printable life cycle of a butterfly diorama kit can be a great hands-on activity!

Books about caterpillars encourage children to develop critical thinking skills while nurturing their creativity and imagination.

Here are some of the best caterpillar books for kids:

National Geographic Readers: Caterpillar to ButterflyThe Very Hungry CaterpillarTen Wriggly Wiggly CaterpillarsTen Little CaterpillarsCaterpillars: Find - Identify - Raise Your OwnCaterpillar to Butterfly (Science for Toddlers)National Geographic Kids Look and Learn: Caterpillar to Butterfly (Look & Learn)The Very Hungry Caterpillar's Rainbow Colors

 

2. More Caterpillar Crafts for Kids

Crafts featuring caterpillars are great ways for kids to express their creativity. From simple activities such as constructing paper chains or setting up caterpillar races, to more complex endeavors such as creating collages or art projects, there are so many different crafts to enjoy!

Caterpillar crafts provide an opportunity for children to practice problem-solving, develop fine motor skills, and deepen their understanding of colors and textures.

Here are a few caterpillar crafts that my boys and I have enjoyed over the years:

• Pom Pom Caterpillar Preschool Craft from Homeschool Preschool
• Caterpillar Craft from I Heart Crafty Things
• Wiggling Caterpillar Craft from Fireflies and Mudpies

3. Caterpillar Activities for Kids

Caterpillar activities and printables offer opportunities for meaningful learning and imaginative play. From sorting activities, puzzles, dot-to-dots, mazes, and more, kids can develop their fine motor skills while engaging in creative problem-solving.

Caterpillar printables also provide an opportunity to practice counting and shapes while introducing topics such as movement, life cycles and nature appreciation. With a variety of available activities and free printables, you can easily find fun resources that are both age appropriate and educational!

Here are a few of our favorite caterpillar printables:

• The Very Hungry Caterpillar Printables for Preschoolers from Crystal and Comp.
• Caterpillar Skip Counting Worksheets from Hess UnAcademy
• Life Cycle of a Caterpillar Activities from Living Life and Learning

Let's Make a Paper Chain Caterpillar!

Making a paper chain caterpillar craft with your kids is an incredibly fun and educational activity that can help them learn about colors and shapes in a creative way. And it's awesome when you can extend that learning fun with books, activities, printables, and more!

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