The Very Hungry Caterpillar – Early Years Activities with Interactive Game
Bring the classic story to life
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is a timeless favourite that naturally supports learning across all EYFS areas. Children love following the caterpillar’s journey as he eats through fruits, builds his cocoon, and transforms into a beautiful butterfly.
These activities use the story’s themes of counting, days of the week, life cycles, and healthy eating to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences. The interactive game lets children feed the caterpillar the right foods on each day.
Our Top 5 Hungry Caterpillar Activities
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🎮 Feed the Caterpillar!
Drag the fruits to match each day of the week. How many fruits does the hungry caterpillar eat?
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0 / 5 days
Activity 1
Caterpillar Fruit Tasting Café
Best for: Understanding the World, Maths, Communication & Language
What you need
- Real fruits from the story (apple, pear, plum, strawberry, orange)
- Small plates or bowls
- Picture cards of fruits
- Simple tally chart template
How to set it up
- Set up a mini “Caterpillar Café” with fruits from the story.
- Children explore fruits using all their senses.
- Count pieces and compare quantities together.
- Taste and describe textures and flavours.
💬 Adult prompts
- “What does the apple feel like? Is it smooth or bumpy?”
- “Can you describe the taste? Is it sweet, sour, or juicy?”
- “How many strawberries can you count?”
- “Which fruit is your favourite? Why?”
📚 EYFS links
- Understanding the World (exploring materials, senses)
- Maths (counting, comparing quantities)
- Communication and Language (descriptive vocabulary)
- PSED (trying new experiences, expressing preferences)
🚀 Extension ideas
- Create a simple pictorial tally chart of favourite fruits
- Sequence the days of the week using fruit cards
- Introduce language like juicy, sour, sweet, crunchy, crunchy
- Make fruit prints with paint
💡
Check for allergies before tasting sessions. Offer hand mirrors so children can see their tongues!
Activity 2
Make a Giant Counting Caterpillar
Best for: Maths, Fine Motor, Expressive Arts
What you need
- Paper plates or card circles
- Paint, collage materials, or markers
- Split pins or sticky tape
- Number stickers or markers
How to set it up
- Paint or collage numbered body segments (1-10 or higher).
- Children order numbers in sequence.
- Add repeated pattern decorations to each segment.
- Attach segments with split pins to create movement.
💬 Adult prompts
- “Which number comes next?”
- “Can you find the number that shows how old you are?”
- “What pattern can you see on the caterpillar?”
- “How many segments does our caterpillar have?”
📚 EYFS links
- Maths (number recognition, counting, ordering)
- Physical Development (fine motor skills, using tools)
- Expressive Arts and Design (colour, pattern, design)
🚀 Extension ideas
- Add matching dot quantities to each numbered segment
- Jump along number segments outside for gross motor learning
- Create addition sentences using two segments
- Make a class caterpillar that winds around the room
💡
Use different shades of green for each segment to create a gradient effect!
Activity 3
Life Cycle Exploration Station
Best for: Understanding the World, Science, Vocabulary
What you need
- Sensory tray or tuff spot
- “Eggs” (small white beads or pom-poms)
- Caterpillar toy or green pipe cleaners
- Cocoon (fabric, wool, or brown felt)
- Butterfly figure or craft butterfly
How to set it up
- Create a sensory tray with all life cycle stages.
- Include leaf shapes for the eggs and caterpillar.
- Children explore each stage and sequence them.
- Act out the transformation with movement.
💬 Adult prompts
- “What comes first in the caterpillar’s story?”
- “What happens inside the cocoon?”
- “Can you curl up small like a caterpillar?”
- “Show me how a butterfly moves its wings.”
📚 EYFS links
- Understanding the World (living things, life cycles)
- Communication and Language (sequencing vocabulary)
- Physical Development (movement, spatial awareness)
- Expressive Arts and Design (imaginative play)
🚀 Extension ideas
- Observe real caterpillars if possible (butterfly kits available)
- Use time language: first, next, then, finally
- Create life cycle pictures with collage materials
- Watch video clips of butterflies emerging from cocoons
💡
Leave the sensory tray out for independent exploration—children love returning to it!
Activity 4
Hungry Caterpillar Obstacle Course
Best for: Physical Development, Gross Motor Skills
What you need
- Tunnel (for the “cocoon”)
- Balance beam or tape line (the “leaf”)
- Cushions or mats
- Fruit pictures or plastic fruits
- Butterfly wings (optional)
How to set it up
- Set up stations: wiggle like a caterpillar, crawl through cocoon tunnel.
- Balance along the “leaf” beam.
- Collect fruits at different stations.
- “Fly” like a butterfly at the finish line!
💬 Adult prompts
- “Can you wiggle your body like a caterpillar?”
- “Stay balanced on the leaf—don’t fall off!”
- “What fruit are you collecting?”
- “Spread your wings and fly like a beautiful butterfly!”
📚 EYFS links
- Physical Development (gross motor, balance, coordination)
- Understanding the World (life cycle in action)
- Communication and Language (following instructions)
- PSED (confidence, perseverance)
🚀 Extension ideas
- Add number stations matching fruit quantities
- Time how long it takes to complete the life cycle journey
- Create butterfly wings to wear at the end
- Add “food” stations for each day of the week
💡
Play the story audiobook while children complete the course for extra atmosphere!
Activity 5
Story Sequencing & Hole-Punch Craft
Best for: Literacy, Fine Motor, Sequencing
What you need
- Paper fruit shapes with pre-drawn holes
- Hole punches (single hole)
- Story sequencing cards
- Day of the week labels
- String or yarn (optional)
How to set it up
- Children punch holes in paper fruit shapes.
- Arrange fruits in story order (Monday-Friday).
- Retell the story using the props.
- Create a class book version with children’s work.
💬 Adult prompts
- “On Monday, what did the caterpillar eat?”
- “But he was still… what?”
- “Can you punch a hole just like in the book?”
- “What happens at the end of the story?”
📚 EYFS links
- Literacy (story sequencing, retelling)
- Physical Development (fine motor, hand strength)
- Communication and Language (narrative language)
- Maths (days of the week, counting)
🚀 Extension ideas
- Add simple sentence starters: “On Monday he ate…” / “But he was still…”
- Thread fruits onto string to make a caterpillar necklace
- Create a giant class book with children’s illustrations
- Act out the story with the hole-punched props
💡
For younger children, pre-punch some holes and let them add more—builds confidence!
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for Hungry Caterpillar activities
What age are these activities suitable for?
These activities are designed for children aged 2 to 5. For younger children (2-3), focus on
sensory exploration and simpler counting. Older children (4-5) can engage with sequencing, life
cycle concepts, and number work.
How do these activities link to EYFS?
The activities cover all seven EYFS areas: Understanding the World (life cycles, food), Maths
(counting, days of the week), Communication and Language (story vocabulary), Physical Development
(obstacle course, fine motor), Literacy (sequencing), Expressive Arts (craft), and PSED (trying new
foods, cooperation).
Do I need to read the book first?
It helps but isn’t essential! Reading the book first gives children context and excitement.
However, the activities work as standalone experiences too. Consider having the book available for
children to explore independently.
Can these activities be done outdoors?
Yes! The Obstacle Course works brilliantly outside. The Fruit Tasting Café can be a picnic. The
Counting Caterpillar can be made with outdoor materials like leaves. Life cycle exploration is
enhanced by finding real minibeasts!
How can I involve families?
Send home fruit tasting requests, share the story for bedtime reading, invite parents to help
create the class book, or organise a butterfly release if you raise real caterpillars. Families can
also contribute fruit for the café.
