Caterpillars have been on my mind due to reading Eric Carle's book, 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar". I made up a crafty cardboard tube caterpillar for children to make out of items that are found around the home. Older children could possibly make this by themselves, however, younger children will need assistance.
What is needed: two or more cardboard tubes (approximately 10cm in length), ribbon/cord/twine, hole punch, paper, card, tape, rubber band, cotton tip/chenille stick/'pipe-cleaner', paint/markers/stickers, scissors, glue or double sided tape.
Cut the rolls into thirds. The more rolls that are used, the longer the caterpillar. Paint the pieces if desired and leave to dry. I decided to leave mine their natural colour.
Using the hole punch, punch a hole at each end of each piece of tube. Do the same on the opposite side of each piece.
Using small lengths of ribbon or cord or twine, tie each piece together on both sides of the pieces, linking all the pieces up.
Cut little rectangles out of card or other desired 'leg' shapes.
Stick the 'legs' on the bottom of the body pieces using double sided tape or glue.
Draw/trace a circle on the paper a little larger than the end of a tube. Cut it out and draw a face on it. Fold it over the end and secure it with a small rubber band.
Tape down the edge of the face to the cardboard tube and remove the rubber band. Bend a cotton tip or chenille stick/'pipe-cleaner' and tape it down on top of the head for the antennae. Using markers or stickers, decorate the body of the caterpillar.
This caterpillar bends a little, just like a real caterpillar, if the ribbon/cord/twine is not pulled too tightly.
Have fun!
