19 The Very Hungry Caterpillar Activities (Literacy Rich)

Looking for a way to keep your preschooler entertained and engaged while also fostering their love for learning? Look no further than “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”! This timeless children’s book by Eric Carle has captivated young minds for decades with its vibrant illustrations and delightful story. But did you know that it can also serve as the perfect inspiration for fun and educational activities? I’ve gathered 19 exciting activities that will not only entertain your little ones but also help them develop important early literacy skills. We love our Eric Carle Book Activities!

Did you know that The Very Hungry Caterpillar has it’s very own dedicated day of the year?  Yes, it’s March 20th.   It seems like the perfect day since that is also the first day of spring.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Activities

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The Very Hungry Caterpillar Book

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is the story of a caterpillar who eats his way through the days of the week.  In the end, he turns into a beautiful caterpillar.

Alphabet Activity for The Very Hungry Caterpillar Book

Hungry Caterpillar Letter Sort helps kids look at the shape of letters.

Learning Your Name Through the Very Hungry Caterpillar

Make a name caterpillar with this idea from Toddler Approved.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Sequencing

The Very Hungry Caterpillar lends itself very well to sequencing activities.

Try this clever sequencing activity from Kreative in Life.

Or, try this sequencing idea from School Time Snippets.

Printable Books to Pair With The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Caterpillar Days of the Week Book from 123 Homeschool 4 Me shares a way to practice reading and spelling the days of the week.

Rubber Boots and Elf Shoes has a printable to make your own caterpillar book.

Vocabulary Ideas to Use With Eric Carle’s Caterpillar Book

Try these cute word puzzles from Playdough to Plato

Learn words from the story with these printable cards from Homeschool Creations.

Comprehension Work with The Very Hungry Caterpillar

LEGO lovers will adore this comprehension idea from The Educators’ Spin On It.

Try this storytelling idea from the Imagination Tree to work on retelling the story.

Fine Motor and Writing Practice for The Very Hungry Caterpillar

This threading activity from Here Come the Girls is super cute.

Buggy and Buddy share a threading necklace that also doubles as a craft.

Fun Learning for Kids has a fun playdough caterpillar invitation to create idea.

Or try this playdough idea from Powerful Mothering.

Eat through all the food with this fine motor punch idea from Modern Preschool.

Totschooling shares tracing and coloring sheets to complement the book.

Parenting Chaos shares a caterpillar puzzle with us.

More Literacy Ideas to Use With The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Pretend play and storytelling are in order for this caterpillar puppet from Rhythms of Play.

Work on visual discrimination with this I Spy activity from Simple Play Ideas.

Work on following directions as you put together these caterpillar cookies from A Little Pinch of Perfect.

Have lots of fun with these The Very Hungry Caterpillar activities.

Looking for even more book activities?  Check out our monthly preschool literacy units.  They are centered around great books!—>Monthly Preschool Literacy Units