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.

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.

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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Directions

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

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.

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

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