Easy Fuzzy Caterpillar Craft For Kids

Watch your little caterpillar wiggle to life as colorful pom-poms turn a simple paper plate into an adorable bug buddy! This paper plate craft is a super fun, colorful activity that toddlers and preschoolers will love.

After cutting a paper plate into a wiggly shape, little hands glue bright pom-poms all the way down the caterpillar’s body, add silly googly eyes, and curl pipe-cleaner antennae. Made with common household items and inexpensive craft supplies, it’s an easy, low-prep, low-mess project for a rainy day — and once finished, kids will love carrying their little caterpillar around and giving it a personality. What are you going to name yours?

Supplies Needed

Paper plate
Colorful pom-poms
A pipe cleaner
Googly eyes
Scissors
Craft glue

Step 1: Cut the Caterpillar Shape

Grab a paper plate and cut it into a long, wiggly caterpillar shape. If freehand cutting isn’t your thing, sketch the outline with a pencil first and follow the lines with your scissors.

Step 2: Make the Antennae

Using the tip of your scissors, make two small holes near one end of the paper plate where you want the caterpillar’s head to be. Thread a pipe cleaner through the holes so both ends stick up, then bend or curl the ends to create the antennae.

Step 3: Glue on the Pom-Poms

Now for the most exciting part! Let your little ones cover the caterpillar with colorful pom-poms, gluing them all the way down its wiggly body. For best results, start with the first pom-pom just above the pipe cleaner antennae to create the head, then keep adding until the entire body is covered.

Step 4: Add Googly Eyes

Glue on silly googly eyes and let everything dry.

Name Your New Pet!

Once the craft is finished, the fun doesn’t have to end. Kids will love carrying their adorable little caterpillar around, giving it a personality, and pretending it’s their very own paper pet. This simple craft sparks imagination and helps kids appreciate the fascinating world of bugs.