Make a fun and easy handprint caterpillar craft with kids using simple supplies. Includes a printable template and step-by-step instructions for a cute bug themed activity.

There’s just something about caterpillars that kids can’t get enough of—at least in our house. Ever since my daughter fell in love with The Very Hungry Caterpillar, we’ve been spotting them on walks, checking leaves in the yard, and getting way too excited over anything that even slightly resembles a wiggly little friend. It’s one of those childhood fascinations that turns into the best kind of learning without them even realizing it.

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This handprint caterpillar craft is one of our favorites because it’s simple, colorful, and makes the cutest little keepsake. You can use the included template pieces (face, antennae, and hand outlines), or make it extra personal by tracing and cutting out your child’s actual handprints.

Handprint Caterpillar Craft for Kids (Free Template) – step-by-step process photos showing colorful paper handprints being glued together to create an easy caterpillar craft for preschoolers and young kids.

Caterpillars are such a fun way to introduce kids to nature and simple science. Watching (or imagining!) how a tiny caterpillar transforms into a beautiful butterfly never gets old, and it opens the door to so many hands-on activities. If your kids are just as into bugs and butterflies as mine, this is a great place to branch out—whether it’s exploring the butterfly life cycle, reading more themed books, or trying other caterpillar and butterfly crafts.

If your kids love this handprint caterpillar craft, there are so many fun ways to keep the theme going. You can turn it into a full bug and butterfly unit with creative hands-on activities like a making a simple Caterpillar Fruit Pizza made with cookies, or Color The Bug: Free Printable Emergent Reader Book that’s fun of kids to color and read. Then dive into more fun with this Insect Worksheets and Bug Journal too! Each of these projects pairs perfectly with caterpillar and butterfly learning, making it easy to extend the fun beyond just one activity.

Handprint Caterpillar Craft + Template

Handprint Caterpillar Craft for Kids (Free Template) – tracing and cutting paper handprints for a simple preschool caterpillar craft activity inspired by butterflies and bugs.

Supplies:

Caterpillar template available at the end of this post
Colored craft paper
Pencil
Scissors
Googly eyes
Craft glue
Sharpies or markers

Directions:

Keep crafting easy, printable directions are available at the end of this post.

The template comes in two options: a single craft template for individual use, or a classroom version with multiple craft pieces arranged on one page for easy group crafting.

Choose a few different colors of paper, this is what makes your caterpillar bright and fun. You’ll want about 5–6 handprints for the body. You can either use the handprint template or trace your child’s hands and cut them out. Go ahead and cut out the head, antennae, and cheek pieces too.

Now start building your caterpillar’s body. Take two handprints and glue them side by side, then keep adding more handprints to create a little chain. You can line them up straight or curve them to make your caterpillar look like it’s wiggling along.

Next, glue the antennae onto the top of the caterpillar’s head. Make sure the rounded ends are pointing upward. Optional: Use pipe cleaners in place of the paper antennae.

Add two googly eyes to bring your caterpillar to life then use a marker to draw on a mouth. Finish it off by gluing the cheeks pieces onto the face for an extra cute touch.

Finish by gluing the head onto one end of your handprint chain.

And that’s it! A colorful, wiggly caterpillar your kids will be proud of 🐛

Handprint Caterpillar Craft for Kids (Free Template) – colorful caterpillar body made from layered handprints arranged in a curved line to look like a crawling caterpillar.

Download the Template Here

Handprint Caterpillar Craft for Kids (Free Template) – colorful kids caterpillar craft made with paper handprints, googly eyes, and a printable template, perfect for preschool, spring themes, insect units, and butterfly activities.

Print the Directions Here

Handprint Caterpillar Craft for Kids (Free Template) – printable caterpillar craft template with head, antennae, cheek pieces, and handprint outlines for kids craft time.

Handprint Caterpillar Craft for Kids Directions

This printable handprint caterpillar craft is simple and fun for kids to make.

Total Time15

Keyword: Craft, Spring

Materials

Colored craft paper
Pencil
Scissors
Googly eyes
Craft glue
Sharpies or markers

Instructions

The template comes in two options: a single craft template for individual use, or a classroom version with multiple craft pieces arranged on one page for easy group crafting.Choose a few different colors of paper, this is what makes your caterpillar bright and fun. You’ll want about 5–6 handprints for the body. You can either use the handprint template or trace your child’s hands and cut them out. Go ahead and cut out the head, antennae, and cheek pieces too.
Now start building your caterpillar’s body. Take two handprints and glue them side by side, then keep adding more handprints to create a little chain. You can line them up straight or curve them to make your caterpillar look like it’s wiggling along.
Next, glue the antennae onto the top of the caterpillar’s head. Make sure the rounded ends are pointing upward. Optional: Use pipe cleaners in place of the paper antennae.
Add two googly eyes to bring your caterpillar to life then use a marker to draw on a mouth. Finish it off by gluing the cheeks pieces onto the face for an extra cute touch.
Finish by gluing the head onto one end of your handprint chain.
And that’s it!