Counting Caterpillars Math Activity Inspired by the Hungry Caterpillar

This simple caterpillar counting activity is great for your preschooler and kindergartner to practice counting and fine motor skills. We did this activity two different ways to accommodate my children’s skill level. Since spring is upon us we tied it into a Very Hungry Caterpillar theme along with some of our other favorite Eric Carle Activities.

Do your kids eat fruit pouches? (If not don’t worry because if you don’t have them you could try using buttons or try our second activity that is fruit pouch lid free). Ever since my kid’s started eating them I have been collecting the lids because I love free supplies (well, technically I know they are not free, but since we are re-purposing them then I consider them free). I feel like we have a thousand of them now. We used them as tires on a Cardboard Tube Car that turned out adorable.

Suggested Books & Extension Activities:

Click photos: Affiliate links to suggested supplies. 🙂

The Very Hungry CaterpillarThe World of Eric Carle(TM) The Very Hungry Caterpillar(TM) Lacing CardsThe Very Hungry Caterpillar Magnetic Wood Puzzle Jigsaw PuzzlesLittle Folk Visuals The Very Hungry Caterpillar Flannel Board Precut Felt Figures

 

Counting Caterpillars Math Activity

 

Activity 1 Build and Count Caterpillar

Supplies:

1 red and several green fruit pouch lids (Large buttons may be used instead if you don’t have enough pouch lids)

Pipe cleaners

Googly Eyes

Glue dots

Dice (I love this our foam dice set because it goes higher than 6)

Number cards (Optional)

Click photos: Affiliate links to suggested supplies. 🙂

Learning Resources Jumbo Foam DiceGlue Dots Glue Dots 1/2-Inch Craft Dots, 150-Clear Dots/RollCreativity Street 344601 Wiggle Eyes Assortment, Assorted SizesNumbers 0-100 Pocket Flash Cards

Directions:

To prepare the activity glue two googly eyes on the red pouch lid. I used glue dots because there is no needed drying time and it holds well. Secure a pipe cleaner to one side of the pouch cap.

To do the activity have your child roll the dice, name the number, and add the amount of pouch cap lids onto the pipe cleaner. The kids loved playing with their caterpillars. I had a set of number cards laid out next to them so they could find the number for some added number recognition practice. Little Tiger was able to find the number and put it on her activity tray next to her caterpillar.

I pointed to the numbers for Little Dragon so he could start learning to recognize his numbers. (As our followers might be able to tell, the kids are much smaller then they look today. During this activity the kids were 2 and 4. Now they are 4 and 6 and can both count and recognize numbers to 100–that would be one long caterpillar, we should try this activity again since we have enough pouch caps :).

 

Activity 2 Dot and Count Caterpillar

Supplies:

Dot markers

Paper

Red and green pouch caps or lids

Pen

Click photos: Affiliate links to suggested supplies. 🙂

U.S. Art Supply 8 Color Crazy Dots Markers – Children’s Washable Easy Grip Non-Toxic Paint Marker Daubers

Directions:

To prepare the activity glue two googly eyes on the red pouch lid. I used glue dots because there is no needed drying time and it holds well. Secure a pipe cleaner to one side of the pouch cap.

Make counting cards by making a red dot, trailed by a line of green dots. Count the number of dots and write the number on the side.

 

To do the activity have your child place the caps on the dots and count the caps. Little Dragon would touch each cap as he counted (one-to-one correspondence).

This activity didn’t last very long because attention spans are only so long, so we did it a few times each day.

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Thanks for learning with us today. If you enjoyed this idea please pin & share it with others so they can enjoy it too! Love, Katie & the Kiddos