No Time For Flash Cards

preschool activities, preschool crafts, and preschool books.

  • Blog
  • About
    • Terms Of Use
    • Disclaimer
    • Holiday Gift Guide For Kids
    • Advertise
    • In The Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Bloglovin
  • Preschool Activities
  • crafts for kids
    Preschool Crafts
  • Preschool Books
  • sensory alphabet activity
    Letters & Numbers
  • For Teachers
  • Toddlers
  • Preschool
  • Kindergarten
  • Elementary

April 14, 2008 | 19 Comments

Caterpillars Don’t Meow !

Classic Egg Carton Caterpillar
This is a classic craft but hopefully some of my tips will help you enjoy craft time a little more!

  1. Gather your materials. You will need an egg carton, some paint, a pipe cleaner, some sharp scissors, a paint brush and some markers.
  2. Start by painting the egg carton. My tip with this step is to leave the whole egg carton intact even though you will only need to use half of it. It makes it easier for little guys to paint, and you to hold or tape down for them.
  3. Add more colors of paint. My tip here is for parents to add the paint to the egg carton with really young preschoolers or toddlers. What I do is ask my son what color he wants, then put a small amount on and he brushes it.
  4. Let the paint dry.
  5. Cut the egg carton in two length wise .
  6. Poke 2 holes in the top of the first section.
  7. Thread your pipe cleaner through.
  8. Twist the ends however you want!
  9. Add some eyes and a mouth with markers if you have little guys, or use googley eyes with older ones.
Song!

The Little Caterpillar
( to the tune of The Itsy Bitsy Spider)

The little caterpillar snuggled on a leaf,
Spun a little chrysalis and then fell asleep,
While she was sleeping she dreamed that she could fly,
When she woke up she was a butterfly!

*Sorry no video today, I am sick and I sounded worse than usual, and I don’t want to frighten your kids! I will try to upload one soon!

Books!

” Percival the Plain Little Caterpillar” by Helen Brawley is one of my son’s favorite books right now, due to the fact that there are shiny and shimmery pictures throughout! The story though leaves something to be desired, as the message seems to be that being plain is bad and the only fix for poor Percival is when he turns into a beautiful butterfly! When reading this to my class I would often interject with Questions to my students about what they thought was cool about Percival, and that combated the undesirable message that you have to be beautiful to be worthy.

” The Crunching Munching Caterpillar” by Sheridan Cain is another story about a caterpillar who is not happy about his lot in life. There is a fair bit of language that some parents would object to. This caterpillar is often reminded that he is too fat to fly- so that poses a few challenges to parents like myself who are trying to instill healthy body images as well as using respectful words with others in our children. I have dealt with this book in two ways, first by saying that the caterpillar is getting fat but it’s a good thing because he will be sleeping for a long time in his chrysalis and needs that fat to live. Also I have simply replaced fat with big, a word that is much less ugly to many people’s ears.


” The Very Hungry Caterpillar” by Eric Carle is the standard that neither of the previous books come close to meeting. This is a classic and a personal favorite of mine from Kindergarten! This book helps to teach days of the week, counting and even has a great message about healthy eating! While this book states that the caterpillar gets big and fat, it’s said as a statement not a judgement which is much more appropriate in my opinion. If you don’t have this book you need it!

Filed Under: Age Preschool, Age: Toddlers, Caterpillar, Children's Book Reviews, Egg Carton Crafts, Preschool Crafts | 19 Comments

Like this post? Share it with a friend!

Become an Email Subscriber

Sign up above and receive all new No Time for Flashcards posts directly in your email inbox.

You may also like these posts

letter sound matching
Next Post: Foam Penguin Craft For Kids
Previous Post: Recycled Bird Feeder

19 Comments

  1. claireknightly says

    April 15, 2008 at 3:10 pm

    What kind of paints do you use? My son is two and still likes to stick stuff in his mouth, so I want to make sure I get some that are safe.

    to claireknightly" aria-label='reply to this comment to claireknightly'>reply to this comment
  2. Allie says

    April 15, 2008 at 4:16 pm

    I use crayola washable kids paint. You can get it at major stores and even most grocery stores.

    Crayola products are independently tested as non toxic so I feel safe allowing my son to taste test his paint before , during and after painting!

    If you go to their website , under contact us are questions people have submitted including asking about the non toxic status of their products.

    to Allie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Allie'>reply to this comment
  3. Tasha says

    November 2, 2009 at 1:50 am

    Thank you for all the doable crafts – easy to organise!

    I found your site just the other night and today did three of your activities with my 3 1/2 yr old. He loved two of them (the ones I had pre organised), this one and the bubble paint one which turned into at least 30 minutes worth of play (wasn’t watching the clock was probably more).

    We did much more than suggested… We used toothpicks to pop the bubbles raising out of the cup. spilt the cup onto the tray beneath. Blew the wiggly worm around the tray Used a folded up tissue to make die dye patterned pictures while mopping liquid up off the tray. Even did a bit of tissue/sponge painting. … and a few other things we had great fun with that one cup of bubble fun!

    Unfortunately the gluing with straws didn’t go down to well but I think that was due to trying to get it sorted with him under foot and the baby awake!

    LOVE your ideas 🙂 We NEED this site. lol

    to Tasha" aria-label='reply to this comment to Tasha'>reply to this comment
  4. Natalie says

    April 17, 2012 at 11:56 am

    I love this craft! I’m doing my half-day student teaching this semester and will be doing this craft next week during Earth Week at the school I’m at.
    Will post afterward how it went!

    to Natalie" aria-label='reply to this comment to Natalie'>reply to this comment
  5. Sherry Clark says

    January 5, 2013 at 6:21 am

    As a child Care Health Consultant in NC, I want to remind licensed child care providers that sanitation regulations state that egg cartons can’t be used for projects due to risk of salmonella. For parents at home, just remember to wash hands after handling the cartons (yours and your child’s)

    to Sherry Clark" aria-label='reply to this comment to Sherry Clark'>reply to this comment
  6. Mamamalik says

    April 23, 2014 at 7:27 am

    My little one (3yrs)and I did the caterpillar activity which went really well today. I’ve saved a milk carton for one of your other suggestions. Thanks to the nurse that reminded us all about salmonella.
    Great website, I’m especially enjoying your book reviews, I find them really interesting as both an author and a reader.

    to Mamamalik" aria-label='reply to this comment to Mamamalik'>reply to this comment

Trackbacks

  1. 25 Classic Crafts For Kids | No Time For Flash Cards - Play and Learning Activities For Babies, Toddlers and Kids says:
    July 4, 2012 at 9:25 pm

    […] Classic Egg Carton Caterpillar – For me this is the ultimate classic craft and I was floored but thrilled when so many people pinned it. It’s a classic for a reason. […]

    to 25 Classic Crafts For Kids | No Time For Flash Cards - Play and Learning Activities For Babies, Toddlers and Kids" aria-label='reply to this comment to 25 Classic Crafts For Kids | No Time For Flash Cards - Play and Learning Activities For Babies, Toddlers and Kids'>reply to this comment
  2. Lavoretti primavera: farfalle bruchi e libellule - 50 e più progetti Lapappadolce says:
    February 24, 2013 at 11:26 pm

    […] 4. bruco realizzato con un cartone per uova e scovolini, tutorial di https://www.notimeforflashcards.com […]

    to Lavoretti primavera: farfalle bruchi e libellule - 50 e più progetti Lapappadolce" aria-label='reply to this comment to Lavoretti primavera: farfalle bruchi e libellule - 50 e più progetti Lapappadolce'>reply to this comment
  3. Top 10 Tuesday-Egg boxes Shouty Cat makes says:
    October 29, 2013 at 12:39 am

    […] funky caterpillar like this one here from No Time for Flashcards (awesome site with LOADS of ideas for Small […]

    to Top 10 Tuesday-Egg boxes Shouty Cat makes" aria-label='reply to this comment to Top 10 Tuesday-Egg boxes Shouty Cat makes'>reply to this comment
  4. Turn the TV (and smartphone) off {Unplug & Play Giveaway} | Kate Wicker says:
    April 26, 2014 at 12:37 pm

    […] Turn an egg carton into a caterpillar.* […]

    to Turn the TV (and smartphone) off {Unplug & Play Giveaway} | Kate Wicker" aria-label='reply to this comment to Turn the TV (and smartphone) off {Unplug & Play Giveaway} | Kate Wicker'>reply to this comment
  5. Crafting a Green World | The home for green crafts and tutorials! says:
    June 12, 2014 at 7:32 am

    […] 3. Create an egg carton caterpillar […]

    to Crafting a Green World | The home for green crafts and tutorials!" aria-label='reply to this comment to Crafting a Green World | The home for green crafts and tutorials!'>reply to this comment
  6. 40 Awesome Summer Crafts for Kids! | hometips.co.za says:
    June 12, 2014 at 9:58 am

    […] 3. Create an egg carton caterpillar […]

    to 40 Awesome Summer Crafts for Kids! | hometips.co.za" aria-label='reply to this comment to 40 Awesome Summer Crafts for Kids! | hometips.co.za'>reply to this comment
  7. 75 Recycled Art Projects For Kids - No Time For Flash Cards says:
    August 18, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    […] Carton Wreath Egg Carton Birds Egg Carton Caterpillar Egg Carton Treasure Box by Red Ted Art Egg Carton Card Holder for Kids Egg Carton E Letter Craft […]

    to 75 Recycled Art Projects For Kids - No Time For Flash Cards" aria-label='reply to this comment to 75 Recycled Art Projects For Kids - No Time For Flash Cards'>reply to this comment
  8. 10 ideas criativas para fazer bichinhos com as crianças - TempoJunto says:
    August 21, 2015 at 4:02 am

    […] em bichinhos bem bacanas são as caixas de ovo. No site notimeforflashcards.com eu encontrei esta lagarta. 6. Formiga Se você cortar a caixa de ovo um pouco menor e usar cores escuras, ao invés de […]

    to 10 ideas criativas para fazer bichinhos com as crianças - TempoJunto" aria-label='reply to this comment to 10 ideas criativas para fazer bichinhos com as crianças - TempoJunto'>reply to this comment
  9. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green - KillingsworthKillingsworth says:
    May 10, 2018 at 6:55 am

    […] a recycling craft like the classic egg carton caterpillar or milk carton bird […]

    to 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green - KillingsworthKillingsworth" aria-label='reply to this comment to 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green - KillingsworthKillingsworth'>reply to this comment
  10. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green - Killingsworth says:
    May 17, 2018 at 3:24 am

    […] a recycling craft like the classic egg carton caterpillar or milk carton bird […]

    to 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green - Killingsworth" aria-label='reply to this comment to 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green - Killingsworth'>reply to this comment
  11. 1. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green 2. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green 3. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green 4. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green - Killingsworth says:
    July 3, 2018 at 10:23 pm

    […] a recycling craft like the classic egg carton caterpillar or milk carton bird […]

    to 1. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green 2. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green 3. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green 4. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green - Killingsworth" aria-label='reply to this comment to 1. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green 2. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green 3. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green 4. 6 Simple Tips to Teach Your Kids to Go Green - Killingsworth'>reply to this comment
  12. Recycling Projects For Kids - Rustic Crafts & Chic Decor says:
    September 4, 2019 at 4:00 am

    […] for the planet. Plus, it gets them thinking more creatively and using their imagination. When an egg carton can be turned into a caterpillar or old game pieces used to make gifts, kids will realize how cool recycling can be. So, start […]

    to Recycling Projects For Kids - Rustic Crafts & Chic Decor" aria-label='reply to this comment to Recycling Projects For Kids - Rustic Crafts & Chic Decor'>reply to this comment
  13. Bringing the generations together through art - Bibetta says:
    December 28, 2020 at 4:03 am

    […] Using recycling is a great way not only to just create art together, but also helps kids understand about the importance of recycling and waste management. It’s also ideal if you don’t have any art materials close to hand, or want to keep costs down. You could try making a recycled rocket using a plastic bottle or kitchen towel roll or animal characters out of wine corks. We love this egg carton caterpillar from No Time for Flash Cards – https://www.notimeforflashcards.com/2008/04/caterpillars-dont-meow.html […]

    to Bringing the generations together through art - Bibetta" aria-label='reply to this comment to Bringing the generations together through art - Bibetta'>reply to this comment

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

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

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search For Activities

Now In Paperback!

Buy NOW

All Activities

Become an Email Subscriber

Sign up above and receive all new No Time for Flash Cards posts directly in your email inbox.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Bloglovin

Copyright © 2008-2023 • No Time For Flash Cards - ACM Media LLC • Site Design by Emily White Designs