Free 3D Caterpillar Craft Template for Kids

There’s nothing like a cute caterpillar craft when you’re learning about the life cycle of a butterfly. This Free 3D Caterpillar Craft Template is perfect for kids who are learning about butterflies this Spring. So break out your craft supplies and get ready for some fun.

If you want to make your Spring themed lessons a breeze, then check out the Spring Activity Pack. It’s filled with math and literacy centers, fine motor activities and arts and crafts templates. All of which are aligned with preschool learning standards. Check it out today.

Disclosure: Adult supervision is required for all activities at all times. Some of the links provided in this blog are affiliate links. I will be paid a small commission if you use this link to make a purchase.

More Caterpillar Themed Crafts for Kids to try

Hungry caterpillar crafts are always so much fun to do this time of year, so here are some more amazing Spring themed crafts to try. Here are some of my favorite simple craft ideas for kids.

For more ideas, check out these 30 Caterpillar Crafts for Preschool.

Materials Needed

The free 3D Caterpillar Craft Template
Construction paper in different colors
Printer
Scissors
Glue or double sided sticky tape

How to Make a 3D Caterpillar Craft

1. Download and print the free printable template.

The free printable caterpillar craft template can be found below. Just head to the bottom of the post and click the large blue button to get your copy.

Inside the pdf you’ll find two versions, one for classes and one for families. The one for teachers consists of three black and white pages, they can be printed off on colored paper to be used with your students.

The one for families consists of a colored leaf and caterpillar head, which can be printed out on regular white paper. You’ll also need to use the copy of the black and white strips for the body, but can disregard the other two pages.

2. Cut out the paper strips.

Print off the striped template on two different colors of paper. I used a sheet of green paper and yellow paper, but you can let your child choose whatever colors they like instead.

3. Glue two different colored strips at a right angle.

This is the start of your paper chain (or accordian fold), and will be the body of the caterpillar. If you’ve never done an accordian fold like this before, I recommend watching the video because it’s easier to see what to do.

4. Fold the paper strips over each other in an accordian fold pattern.

Fold the strips over each other, again and again, until you’re left with a little square shape.

If this is the first time your children are doing this type of simple paper craft, then I recommend starting with shorter sections of paper strips. It can be a bit tricky to learn the first time, and having longer strips of paper will most likely frustrate them until they get the hang of it.

5. Glue the edges together.

Once you’ve reached the end of your different color strips, glue the ends together.

6. Repeat 2 – 3 times for each body part segment.

I used 3 of these body sections in my paper caterpillar craft. If you want to make a smaller caterpillar, then you’ll only need 1 or 2 of these paper chains.

7. Cut out your paper leaf.

I printed the leaf template onto some green paper for this adorable little caterpillar craft. Cutting it out with a pair of scissors is a great way to help kids of all ages to get some fine motor practice in a fun way.

8. Cut out the caterpillar’s head.

I printed out the head shapes onto some red paper because I wanted our creations to look like a very hungry caterpillar craft from the classic book by Eric Carle. But of course, you can pick whatever color you like for your craft templates.

9. Place double sided tape, or glue, down the center of the leaf.

Place a glue strip where you want your caterpillar to be. I preferred to use double sided adhesive tape for this project because it kept the body segments in place nicely. I think that school glue may not have been strong enough and one end or the other of the paper chain would have kept popping up until the glue dried.

Another alternative is to glue your caterpillar to some popsicle sticks, and turn this easy paper craft into a hungry caterpillar puppet instead.

10. Stick the bottom section of the caterpillars head to the leaf.

Fold the caterpillar head along the bottom third of the paper circles. The stick only, the bottom third to the adhesive tape.

11. Stick a body segment to the glue.

Bend your paper chain segment into a rainbow shape (semi circle), so that each end of the chain is next to each other and laying flat against the adhesive tape.

Repeat this step with the additional body segments until you run out of space.

12. An easier way for younger kids.

When I was doing this fun craft with my kids, they preferred making their caterpillars another way. They didn’t care about the leaf at all, and instead made the caterpillar’s body in one segment, but longer. And they finished it off by gluing the head straight onto one end of the caterpillar’s body.

Doing it this way wasn’t as fiddly, which makes it much easier for little hands who are still developing fine motor skills to do. While older kids may want to try all the steps above, preschoolers or kindergarteners will probably enjoy this more simple method instead.

Are you going to try this 3D Caterpillar Craft Template with your kids?
Don’t forget to pin the idea for later.