This moving caterpillar craft is a fun paper craft for kids that really comes to life! Best of all, when it’s finished, your caterpillar actually moves across the leaf, making it just as fun to play with as it is to create.
Made with simple supplies like paper, glue, scissors, and markers, it’s easy enough for preschoolers and early elementary-aged children with a little help from an adult.
This easy insect craft is perfect for:
- spring activities
- bug units at school or homeschool
- storytime after reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar
- a visit to a butterfly conservatory
- or simply an afternoon of creative fun at home.
As they cut, color, and assemble their caterpillar, kids also get to practice fine motor skills while creating something they’re excited to play with afterward.
If your little ones love bugs and butterflies, be sure to check out our clay Very Hungry Caterpillar craft. You might also enjoy our Paper Dragonfly Craft or Clothespin Butterfly Craft to keep your insect-themed crafting fun going.
Moving Caterpillar Craft
Supplies Needed:
- Colored craft papers
- Colored cardstock paper
- Pencil
- Craft glue
- A pair of scissors
- Markers
- Pattern template
Instructions:
Step 1:
Download, print and cut out the template patterns. Select colored cardstock paper for the leaf and the strip pattern and select colored craft papers for the caterpillar patterns. Trace the template patterns on the selected papers and cut them out using scissors.
Step 2:
Take any one of the rectangle cutouts (caterpillar) and apply glue along a short side.
Step 3:
Roll the rectangle cutout and join both ends to form a cylinder shape.
Step 4:
Make a total of 6 paper cylinder shapes.
Step 5:
Take any one of the paper cylinder shapes and attach the antenna cutouts on it.
Step 6:
Use a marker to draw the eyes and mouth of the caterpillar on the same paper cylinder shape with the paper antennae.
Step 7:
Attach a paper cylinder adjacent to the caterpillar head cylinder shape.
Step 8:
One by one join all 6 paper cylinder shapes together on a line, keeping the head to the front of the line.
Step 9:
Take the leaf cutout and fold it in half, lengthwise.
Step 10:
Make accordion folds on the half-folded leaf pattern as shown above.
Step 11:
Unfold all the folds.
Step 12:
Take the cardstock strip and turn the paper caterpillar to the bottom side. Apply a drop of glue on the bottom side of the head part only.
Step 13:
Attach the strip to the glued part. Apply 2 drops of glue on both sides of the strip, on the paper cylinder at the end.
Step 14:
Attach the paper caterpillar to the paper leaf with the 2 drop of glues. Make sure that the strip is free from glue and the caterpillar is joined to the leaf with its tail cylinder only.
When you pull out and then push in the open end of the strip, the paper caterpillar will move.
If your kids enjoyed making this moving caterpillar, there are plenty more bug-themed projects to explore! Try making our Spoon Dragonfly, Clay Butterfly Craft, or No Sew Felt Bee Bookmarks for even more creative insect-inspired fun.
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I hope this moving caterpillar craft inspires lots of creative fun for the little ones in your life. It’s an easy project that’s just as enjoyable to play with as it is to make, making it perfect for spring, bug-themed learning, or any day that calls for a little creativity.
Keep the Bug-Themed Fun Going!
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