The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Every child loves the story of the Very Hungary Caterpillar, by Eric Carle.  Or, at least, I did, and all the children I've read stories with so far do!  I remember doing this craft when I was in Kindergarten - and it's one that I do with the kids I babysit, too - it's a great way to combine different activities (reading and crafts!). 

It's a pretty simple craft. Cut the bottom of a cardboard egg carton in half, lengthwise.  You can use the other half of the egg carton to pour some paint into, so the paint is contained and it's easy cleanup! 

Paint the head (one end) red, and use blue and greens to paint the other 5 parts on the body!  You can alternate the colours, like we did this morning, or you can mix it all up and paint parts of each one both colours, like my previous babysitting child liked to do. 

Once the red paint has dried, paint two large yellow ovals on the front of the face for eyes, and once they're dry, you can paint smaller blue ovals (my babysitting charge this morning decided that the eyes were good as they were).  A small blue or green dot for the nose, and the face is done!  Poke two holes in the top of the head, and cut a length of pipe cleaner (about 5" long).  Poke one end of the pipe cleaner out each hole from the bottom, and voila - you've got a Very Hungry Little Caterpillar!