A caterpillar is a cute, fuzzy creature that turns into a butterfly.There are many ways to make them using supplies around your home.Teaching young children about Caterpillar crafts is a great way to do that.After the children make their caterpillar, you can read to them and have a discussion.
Step 1: You can cut an egg carton in half with scissors or a knife.
There are two rows of egg cups.Set the other one aside if you want.To get just the strip, be sure to remove the lid and front flaps.You can use any carton you want.The longer your caterpillar is, the more eggs it holds.It is easier to paint a cardboard egg carton than a foam one.
Step 2: Paint the outside of the carton.
Green is the most popular caterpillar color, but you can make any color you want.To make a caterpillar, paint the first cup red for the head and the rest green.Let the paint dry.The inside of the carton can be painted, but you need to let the outside dry first.
Step 3: The first cup has two holes for the antenna.
Right next to the narrow edge is where the holes need to be.To poke the holes, use a pen, pencil, or skewer.Asking an adult to help you with this step is a good idea.
Step 4: There are holes in the pipe cleaner.
To see the inside of the carton, turn it.The pipe cleaner should be stuck through one of the holes.Pull on both ends of the pipe cleaner to make sure it's even.The pipe cleaner can be any color.Black will work better than yellow.
Step 5: Attach, shape, and trim the antenna.
Use scissors to cut the antenna shorter, then glue a mini pompom to the top of each one.You can use any color of pompom.Red would work well with yellow pipe cleaners.tacky glue can be used as well as hot glue.For about 30 seconds, hold the pompoms in place.Curl the ends of the antenna with a pencil if you don't have pompoms.
Step 6: A face is added.
Just below the antenna, glue some eyes to the front of the first cup.For about 30 seconds, hold them down.This will make them stick better.To draw on a mouth, use a marker.You can draw them on if you can't find the eyes.Add rosy cheeks and lashes to a caterpillar.Glue a small red pompom to the middle of the caterpillar's face.
Step 7: The caterpillar can be decorated.
Adding some details to your caterpillar will make it look more colorful and interesting.Draw on the caterpillar with glitter glue.The caterpillar can be painted with polka dots or stripes.There are foam stickers on the caterpillar.The bow should be on the top of the head.
Step 8: Put your pompoms together.
You can use different colors if you want to.You can use one large pompom for the head or have them all be the same size.To make a very hungry caterpillar, try different shades of green and a large red pompom.7 pompoms are used for a regular caterpillar.11 pompoms are used for a puppet caterpillar.
Step 9: To make a rope, glue the pompoms together.
Hot glue or glue dots can be used to glue the pompoms together.You will need to wait for the glue to dry before using fabric glue or tacky glue.An older child thread a needle and string pom poms onto the thread.The thread should be securely knotted at both ends.
Step 10: Glue the eyes onto the pompom.
Hot glue, tacky glue and fabric glue can be used.Hold the eyes in place for about 30 seconds if you are using tacky glue.Let the glue dry.
Step 11: You can add an antenna.
There are two pieces of pipe cleaner.The caterpillar's head is Glued to the top of each piece.If you want them to stick straight up, you can use hot glue or tacky glue.Let the glue dry.An older child can thread a needle and pull two pieces of colored thread from the caterpillar's head.
Step 12: If you want, turn the caterpillar into a puppet.
Cut two pieces of fishing line.Two strings are tied to the third and seventh pompoms.Next, tie the strings together.To make the caterpillar move, tilt the stick up and down.
Step 13: There is a colorful knee sock.
It can be any color or pattern you want, but make sure it's clean.The striped socks are the best for this.A crew sock can be used for a smaller caterpillar.Don't wear an ankle sock.It won't be long.For a fluffy caterpillar, consider using a soft, fuzzy sock.
Step 14: Stuff the socks with stuffing.
You can use cotton balls or yarn if you can't find any.You can use six Styrofoam balls.You may not be able to fit all of the Styrofoam balls into the sock.Don't try to cram them in.
Step 15: Use a rubber band or piece of yarn to tie the end of the sock.
You may have some leftover if the sock was long.If you have a 2-inch (5.08-centimeter) stub, cut the extra socks off.If you are using Styrofoam balls, you should leave enough space in the sock for the balls to wiggle.
Step 16: To create segments, tie more rubber bands around the sock.
You can use colorful yarn instead.The plan is to have about six segments.If you used Styrofoam balls, tie a rubber band between them.
Step 17: Glue eyes to the toe.
The toe part of the caterpillar should be facing you.Right above the seam, glue two eyes on top.It's best to use hot glue or tacky glue.An adult can help you with hot glue.
Step 18: A face is added.
The seam on the toe can be used as a mouth.You can use a marker to draw your own mouth.You can add more details, such as rosy cheeks or eyelashes.Attach a small pompom to the caterpillar's face.Use buttons instead of eyes for a rustic touch.They can be sewed or glue on.
Step 19: The pipe cleaner needs to be tied around the neck.
The first joint behind the head is the neck.Place the middle of a pipe cleaner under the caterpillar.Wrap both ends around the neck.
Step 20: The antenna should be shaped.
Make a V-shape by pulling the antenna apart.Curl each end with a pencil.Attach a mini pompom to the antenna tips with hot glue.
Step 21: The caterpillar should be decorated.
If you do not want to, you don't have to do this.The caterpillar will look more interesting if it is decorated.Draw designs with markers or paint.Attach buttons to the caterpillar.Attach the bow to the caterpillar's head with ribbon.To hide the stub, glue a pompom onto the tail-end.
Step 22: There is an empty toilet paper roll.
Cut a paper towel roll in half if you don't have any toilet paper rolls.Cut three 112 inch wide strips out of green paper if you don't have any rolls.Cut a wide strip of red paper.Roll the strips into the ring.Attach each with a staple.Don't connect the rings.
Step 23: The inside and outside of the ring should be painted.
You can use a variety of paints for this.You will need three green rings and one red ring to make a caterpillar.You should skip this step if you made the rings out of green paper.
Step 24: Glue or staple the rings.
Glue all of the rings together in a row.To make the head, glue the red ring to the end of the row.You will have something that looks like this.The rings should be straight.The caterpillar won't stand if they are crooked.
Step 25: There should be some eyes.
You can either draw the eyes with a black marker or glue them on.Cut two small ovals out of yellow paper to make a caterpillar.There are two smaller ovals in green paper.To make the pupils, glue the green and yellow ovals together.Attach the yellow ovals to the caterpillar's head.
Step 26: If you want, draw on a mouth.
A smile can be drawn in the middle of the face with a black marker.
Step 27: Attach the antenna to the pipe cleaner by folding it.
Cut the pipe cleaner in half.One of the halves should be used for another project.The other half should be folded into a V-shape.For a hungry caterpillar, use a purple pipe cleaner.
Step 28: Attach the antenna to the caterpillar's neck.
The space between the red ring and the first green ring should be filled with glue.Attach the antenna to the glue.Hold it there until the glue dries.If you can't wait, use a hot glue gun.
Step 29: Let the caterpillar dry.
You can stand the caterpillar on its side once it is dry.If it keeps falling over, put some double-sided tape on the bottom and stand it up again.The caterpillar won't fall if the tape sticks to your desk.