Monthly Crafting Book Club: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Hey folks! It's that time again! Welcome to April's Monthly Crafting Book Club post!

             This month we are covering a book that you are probably all familiar with: The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. Unless maybe you don't have kids, if you haven't heard of this title, you've been living under a rock for awhile. ;) It is a great book for spring and introducing a butterfly lesson to young kids.

             In a nutshell, the caterpillar eats, and eats, and EATS some more...until he finally turns into a beautiful butterfly! Since there is so much food involved in this book and the treats situation has gotten out of hand in our house, I thought this presented the perfect opportunity for a little nutrition activity. So, like last month, I apologize this isn't actually a craft. I'm better at coming up with activities! (Truth be told I usually steal craft ideas off of Pinterest. Ha ha)

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Nutrition Activity

Suggested for: Ages 3+

What You'll Need:

-craft foam sheets or felt in various colors

-scissors

-pen or marker

-felt boards or other objects for sorting purposes

-paper

-glue or hot glue

*Cut out pieces to assemble your foods. I like to roughly draw mine out first before cutting. I realize it would have made more sense to use felt on felt for this, but I felt (ha ha) like using something different this month since I used felt last month...And also thought foam would be easier to cut small pieces from than felt. Ha ha

*Glue your pieces together to form your foods. (I used hot glue. I don't have the patience for Elmer's. :/) I decided to do an even number of healthy foods and treats, which included the following, starting at the top: apple, pear, strawberry, orange, plum, lollipop, chocolate cake, ice cream cone, cupcake, and a piece of cherry pie.

*Embellish some of your food items as needed/wanted.

*Label your foam boards or whatever you're using to sort with with two labels: One with “Healthy Foods” and one for “Treats”.

*Ask your child to sort the food items into the appropriate category. This is a good opportunity to talk with your child about the different types of food you chose (Again, we chose ones from the book. You could include some others that are not.): What they are, why they're good for you or why you shouldn't eat too many of them, what are your child's favorite foods?, why does your child think the caterpillar got a belly ache?, etc.

             Thanks for stopping by for this month's Book Club activity! Be sure to visit the other bloggers below for more craft and activity ideas to go along with The Very Hungry Caterpillar. :)

         

Monthly Crafting Book Club for May

Interested in joining us next month? Join the Facebook group for updates HERE and feel free to participate whenever you can.

Next month we are doing Camping Themed books.