These caterpillar sensory activities are perfect for your collection of butterfly activities for preschoolers and kindergarten kids. They will add a fun, hands-on component to your spring lesson plans!
You’ll find a variety of caterpillar-themed sensory activities below. The list includes sensory bins, bags, bottles, and even a few play dough activities. There’s something for everyone!
Each of the caterpillar sensory ideas below present students with opportunities to engage and explore their senses as they play and learn. They offer children a chance to connect with the world around them while diving into in some complex learning concepts.
Related: Sensory Play for the Whole Year
Add the sensory invitations alongside other hands-on activities, books, and real images. Double down on learning by letting students have the chance to observe real caterpillars and butterflies, if you can. Then choose a few sensory play activities to build on what the kids are learning about caterpillars and butterflies.
When’s the Best Time for Caterpillar Sensory Play?
Caterpillars and butterflies are typically most active in the spring and summer months. So, any activities related to them would be best suited for that time of year. That being said, if your students get excited about these insects in the middle of the winter, take advantage of that interest right then!
Start by reading some books about caterpillars and butterflies. Then show the kids some real images of the fascinating creatures. Perhaps you’re able to go outside and observe caterpillars in their natural environment.
And, of course, you’ll want to integrate some caterpillar sensory activities into your lessons surrounding the butterfly life cycle for kids.
While the caterpillars are preparing to undergo their metamorphosis, let the kids engage in caterpillar themed sensory play. Choose an activity (or a few) from the list below and let the kids engage in some hands-on learning. Then, as the metamorphosis progresses, check out some butterfly sensory activities!
Materials for the Caterpillar Ideas
Before you jump into the caterpillar sensory activities, let’s talk supplies! Each of the activities shared below has its own list of materials. So take a look through all the ideas and make a list of what you need. Or choose the sensory play fun that uses items you already have in your own stash.
Here are some products that are perfect for sensory play activities (I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post):
- Sand
- Beans
- Play dough
- Dry pasta
- Beads
- Rice
- Pipe cleaners
- Sticks
- Twigs
- Leaves
Now let’s take a look at the caterpillar-themed ideas!
Caterpillar Sensory Activities
When I think of young kids and caterpillars, a few things come to mind. First, I think of how, every spring, students are so proud to show off their new “pets.” They find caterpillars crawling around and coax them onto sticks or leaves. Sometimes, they even name them!
The second thing I think of is the children’s storybook, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. This picture books allows kids to learn about caterpillars, the lifecycle of a butterfly, and a variety of foods while practicing counting skills. The unique illustrations combined with so many early learning concepts make this cute story a childhood favorite.
With these two things in mind, I’ve split my list of caterpillar sensory activities into two parts. The first section will cover generic caterpillar sensory activities. The second section has sensory activities based on The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Take a look at the activity ideas below and choose a few to try with your students this spring!
General Caterpillar Sensory Ideas
Take a look at some of my favorite caterpillar sensory ideas. Then pick out a few to try with students. Each activity is full of learning. And so much fun!
Students will practice fine motor skills as they create the focal point of the caterpillars & twigs sand play activity.
Gluing, counting, and sensory play are just a few steps to take as kids create this cute caterpillar counting craft.
Use a variety of dry pasta to represent the stages in these butterfly life cycle sensory bottles. Be sure to grab your copy of the free printable labels, too!
Make some caterpillar grapes snack crafts with the kids. This recipe is not only very simple but also very nutritious and tastes delicious!
Students will refine their fine motor skills while practicing color identification and sorting with the color sorting sensory bag.
The rainbow play dough caterpillar activity offers kids a hands-on approach to practicing color matching and fine motor skills.
Children will engage in hands-on imaginative play and math skills as they interact with the counting caterpillars spring sensory bin.
Hungry Caterpillar Sensory Activities
This section of caterpillar sensory activities revolved around a classic children’s storybook – The Very Hungry Caterpillar! Check out the links below and choose a few favorites to try with your students.
Students will explore all five senses with The Very Hungry Caterpillar delicious sensory bin! Sequencing, counting, and practicing pretend play are just a few skills the kids will practice as they taste their way through this fun activity!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar sensory bin draws inspiration from the colors in the picture book. Just add some colorful sensory materials, scoops, bowls, and caterpillar toys to a plastic bin and watch as the kids escape into this small world!
First, read through the storybook. Then present kids with the caterpillar play dough invitation. You’ll be amazed by the creative ways in which students interact with the materials!
Bring this childhood classic to life with a Very Hungry Caterpillar sensory storytelling tub! Children will engage in oral storytelling, practice sequencing, and identify the main characters and main idea of a story, all while honing their pretend play skills!
Children will strengthen their muscles and work on those fine motor skills with The Very Hungry Caterpillar play dough invitation. After the kids create their play dough caterpillars, set out some toy food items for it to eat and grow. Then the kids can build a cocoon and morph their caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly!
Be sure to save this post for future reference! If you have a Caterpillar or Butterfly Activities Pinterest board, that’s a great place to start.
More Caterpillar Activities for Kids
If the caterpillar sensory activities are a hit with your students, they might enjoy these ideas as well:
Butterfly Lesson Plans
My sister site, Preschool Teacher 101, is here to save you (and sanity)! We have hundreds of done-for-you preschool lesson plans, activity packs, and other teaching resources. So you can focus on being the amazing teacher you are, without giving up your free time!
Our Preschool Butterfly Lesson Plans include a full week of hands-on activities covering reading, math, science, and more! Click on the image below to learn more about this product.
The fun doesn’t have to stop there! Take a look at some of our other products by clicking on the images below.
If these products seem to match your teaching style, consider signing up for a The Pack, our membership for preschool and kindergarten teachers. Members get access to our products at a steeply discounted rate!
You can also find us on Teachers Pay Teachers.
The post 10+ Caterpillar Sensory Activities appeared first on Fun-A-Day!.