Another insect from our Bugs Galore collection. This is a great activity for our youngest customers. The idea came about several years ago when trying to come up with an activity for my youngest customers.

What I like about this activity is that it continues to build on a child’s fine motor skill. I also like that it is a movable toy. You can make it movable that way you image a caterpillar to do.

Check out the DIY below.

Kit Supplies: 7 pre-drilled wood circles (circle with 1 hole=bottom, 5 circles with 2 holes=bodies and circle with 3 holes=head), 6 mini brads, 2 plastic eyes, 2 wire antennae

Additional Supplies Needed: paint (you can also use colored pencils, markers or crayons), pliers (not shown above), paint brush (optional), paper plate (optional), painters tape (optional)

This step is not necessary if you are using anything other than paint. If you are using paint, then then tear off a small piece of painters tape and roll it on to itself to create something similar to double sided tape. Place it on the back of the wood circles and secure them on a paper plate. Repeat with the other wood circles, making sure to space them enough so that they are not touching each other.

Then paint all the circles a different color. I guess you could paint them all the same color but that is a little safe. So have fun with it. You could also paint different patterns on each circle.

To give your caterpillar a finished look, make sure to color the edges too.

I also recommend coloring the bottom of the circles too. While this is an optional step, I feel it gives the caterpillar a nice finished look. If you are using paint, make sure that the paint has dried on one side before turning it over.

The caterpillar body has dried and is ready for the next steps.

Now to put the caterpillar together, grab the head circle, that is the one with the 3 holes. Using the photo above as guide, put the first brad in the single hole opposite to the two holes …

insert the brad into one of the body circles.

This is what the side view looks like.

Holding the brad against the head circle, turn the two circles up side down. Then separate the brad legs so that they lay flat on opposing sides on the caterpillar bodies.

Continue to add the bodies following the pattern shown above.

The caterpillar is almost done. Now is time to add the eyes and antennae. Set aside momentarily.

Take one of the antennae. Hold the end section with the spiral curl between plier jaws as shown above. Press down on the long wire end to create a 90 degree …

as shown above.

Then insert the antennae from the bottom of the caterpillar.

Pull the antennae through and insert it into the plastic eye. Of note, the “eyes” are the backs of earrings.

Pull the eye all the way down to the wood.

Repeat on the other side.

Next, using the pliers to create a tight loop on the tip of the antennae. This will prevent the wire from scratching.

Repeat on the other side.

Final but optional step is to bend and curve the antennae to create an aesthetically pleasing design.

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