• Reading
  • Writing
  • Math
  • Science
  • Gardening
  • Recipes
  • Cultural

The Educators' Spin On It

Learning Games and Activities

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Contact

By Kim Vij 14 Comments

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.

Lacing Letters Inspired by The Very Hungry Caterpillar
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

 This post contains affiliate links

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

Eric Carle Themed Virtual Book Club Activities

  • 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
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 KidsMonarch Butterfly learning activities for Kids

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

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

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.

« Make a Reading Star Book Counting Chain
Animal Trackers Club Review | Kids Activities Delivered to Your Door »

Comments

  1. arress says

    June 5, 2015 at 10:05 am

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

    Reply
  2. Jackie says

    June 5, 2015 at 10:05 am

    The original very, hungry caterpillar, of course!

    Reply
  3. ashley ramsey says

    June 5, 2015 at 11:09 pm

    The original hungry caterpillar!

    Reply
  4. Diana says

    June 6, 2015 at 10:48 am

    We love a Color of His own
    [email protected]

    Reply
  5. Chelsea Meza says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    The mixed up chameleon is out sons favorite book.

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

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

    Reply
  7. Gary says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    We love The Hungry Caterpillar

    Reply
  8. Miranda says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    The Grouchy Ladybug

    Reply
  9. J Richards says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    The Very Hungry Caterpillar obviously!!!

    Reply
  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.

    Reply
  11. Audra says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

    The very hungry catapillar of course!

    Reply
  12. Kathy Davis says

    June 6, 2015 at 9:41 pm

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

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sign Up for our Newsletter!

For ages…

Baby
Toddler
Preschool
Grade School

Find a Kid’s Activity

Popular Posts

Child working at table with white bookcase behind with toys
winter virtual field trips for kids featuring sledding, snow covered mountains and evergreen trees and ice castles

You Might Also Like

Family using books and technology to cope with changes during social distancing

Helping Children Cope With Changes Resulting From COVID-19

indoor play activities for cold winter days

Indoor Play Activities; Winter Learning Activities and Crafts

Indoor Movement Games and Activities for Kids

101 Valentine's Day for Kids

101+ Valentine’s Day Activities for Play and Learning

How to Make Easy Heart Shaped Pancakes with Kids

Let’s Connect!

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 developmentally appropriate activities.
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021