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By Kim Vij

Lacing Letters Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar

We’re learning about letters today with a little inspiration from author Eric Carle. See how quickly you can create this hungry caterpillar lacing letters activity. Adding an element from a book can create a hands-on opportunity for your child to learn.

This month we’re featuring activities by Eric Carle in our Virtual Book Club for Kids. 
Here’s what we created to share with you.

caterpillar on letter A for lacing caterpillar activity for preschoolers

My preschooler is beginning to share an interest in letters. This activity works with your child on identifying the shapes of letters with straight lines and curves and slanted lines to help them learn to memorize the outlines of letters. Using string and a very hungry caterpillar they work their way around the letters. Here’s how we made this activity.

Lacing Letters Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Caterpillar Lacing Letters

Objective: to identify letters of the alphabet

Materials:

  • colored construction paper or scrapbook paper
  • scissors
  • whole puncher
  • yarn or ribbon
  • outline of letters
  • outline of caterpillar minimized  (Click here for coloring sheet)
  • OR green playdough or airclay hardened in shape of caterpillar
  • Book: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
  • Contact Paper or Packaging Tape
  • Optional use cardboard for letters for stability

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Lacing Letters Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Directions

Create outlines of Alphabet Letters upper case and/or lower case.  Here’s a printable version of alphabet letter outlines if needed.

Lacing Letters Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Cover letters with contact paper or packaging tape for stability.
(Or if you have foam letters that are starting to wear down you could punch holes in those)

Create a holes on each alphabet letter for the caterpillar to go through. I would encourage you to do this with your child.

It’s a terrific activity to help build those hand muscles needed for cutting and writing.  Plus you’re acting out the idea of a caterpillar eating the letters.

Cut out circles and attached to mini clothespin to create a caterpillar.

OR

Print and cut out the Very Hungry Caterpillar. Be sure to make a much much much smaller version so that it’s a TINY caterpillar.

Caterpillar Lacing Letters Activity Extensions

When finished the caterpillar(child) sort letters by their characteristics circle, straight lines, slanted lines.

Have your child place the letters in alphabetical order.

Have your child find items from your pretend food collection and sort by letters for caterpillar to eat.

Lacing Letters Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Eric Carle Book Activities

Here are a few more ideas for activities to go with our featured books by author Eric Carle

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Mixed-Up Chameleon by Eric Carle

The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle

tips for learning with Eric Carle books
Eric Carle Activities and Crafts for Kids #ericcarle #eduspin

Eric Carle Themed Virtual Book Club Activities

  • 100 Eric Carle Activities for Kids
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar I Spy via The Pleasantest Thing
  • The Very Hungry Caterpillar Activities: Letter Sorts Growing Book by Book
  • DIY Mixed Up Beads by Mama Miss
  • 3 Very Hungry Caterpillar Inspired Scavenger Hunts via Inspiration Laboratories
  • Easy Very Hungry Caterpillar Fine Motor Skills Activity by Lalymom
  • Very Hungry Caterpillar Puzzles via Playdough to Plato
  • Two Flower Crafts – The Tiny Seed by 3 Dinosaurs
  • Days of the Week by Rainy Day Mum
  • 30 Ideas for an Eric Carle Themed Playdate by The Educators’ Spin On It

This activity was originally published on May 15 2015.

Thank you so much for joining the Virtual Book Club for Kids for the month of May! We invite you to share any Eric Carle Themed activities that you’re doing with your child or class in the comments below or on our Virtual Book Club For Kids Facebook Page. If you’re joining the fun be sure to tag us and let us know #vbcforkids

Click here for additional butterfly themed activities for kids

Butterfly Balloon STEM Challenge for Kids
Monarch Butterfly learning activities for Kids
Butterfly Books for Kids

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

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Filed Under: Reading Tagged With: Alphabet, caterpillar, Eric Carle, Fine Motor, grade school, Kim, Preschool, Spring, Virtual Book Club

About Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing developmentally appropriate activities.

« Waiting For Wings: Butterfly Art Project
LEGO Inspired Story Retelling of The Very Hungry Caterpillar »

Comments

  1. arress says

    June 5, 2015 at 10:05 am

    She loves The Very Hungry Caterpillar! It is one of her favorite books.

  2. Jackie says

    June 5, 2015 at 10:05 am

    The original very, hungry caterpillar, of course!

  3. ashley ramsey says

    June 5, 2015 at 11:09 pm

    The original hungry caterpillar!

  4. Diana says

    June 6, 2015 at 10:48 am

    We love a Color of His own
    [email protected]

  5. Chelsea Meza says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    The mixed up chameleon is out sons favorite book.

  6. Anonymous says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    The very Hungry Caterpillar is one of our daily reads. -Lisa T.

  7. Gary says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    We love The Hungry Caterpillar

  8. Miranda says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    The Grouchy Ladybug

  9. J Richards says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    The Very Hungry Caterpillar obviously!!!

  10. Connie Tillman says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    I have two boys, 4 and 2, — The Very Hungry Caterpillar! they seem to eat and eat and eat.

  11. Audra says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    The very hungry catapillar of course!

  12. Kathy Davis says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    The Very Hungry Caterpillar is Nellie's favorite.
    Kathy Davis
    [email protected]

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Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim Vij shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing all kinds of easy kid crafts, activities and even recipes for kids!
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