Introduction: Kids Game: the Very Hungry Caterpillar
I was inspired to create this felt game by the 50th anniversary of "The very hungry caterpillar", a children's picture book designed, illustrated, and written by Eric Carle. It's a preschool game of counting, colors and also promote healthy eating :)
I hope you will find this tutorial easy to do by yourself. Have fun playing and learning together!
Supplies
- Felt sheets
- Embroidery threads
- Needle
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Polyester Filling
- Velcro Tape 1cm
- Ribbon 50cm/20"
- Templates
Step 1: Print the Templates on A4 Paper and Cut Out the Shapes
Step 2: Orange
- Trace the shape of orange onto felt, 2 pieces. Cut them out.
- First, stitch up to pieces together with a Blanket Stitch on the outside.
- Stuff it with a little polyester filling to give volume.
- Sew the inner side with the same blanket stitch.
You can look up the HAND SEWING CLASS, and find "Sewing the Blanket Stitch" lesson
Step 3: Apple
It's almost the same method:
Cut 2 apple shapes from red felt, a green leaf and a brown tail. Insert the leaf and tail between layers and sew around with a simple stitch. Stuff and sew the inner side.
Step 4: Lemon
Mirror the template when you are tracing the fruit shape (if it is not symmetrical). Place the sides with pencil marks face to face, and you will obtain a more clean result.
Step 5: Beet
Don't forget to insert the leaves between layers before starting to sew.
Step 6: Carrot
I sew with a simple stitch or blanket stitch, it's just to make a little of variations. You can choose how do you like.
Step 7: Bell Pepper
Step 8: Eggplant
Step 9: Pear
Step 10: Tomato
Step 11: Plum
Step 12: Strawberry
Step 13: Caterpillar
Cut 3 or 4 shapes (use caterpillar template). Insert the ribbon between layers to make a long tail and pin it. Sew all layers together using a blanket stitch.
Step 14: Butterfly
- From colored felt cut out all butterfly's detail
- First, decorate the top part (the pink butterfly)
- Make a slit in the bottom part (1cm/0.5" - is the width of my ribbon)
- Insert the ribbon and fasten to the top layer
- Sew two layers together in the middle
- Decorate the edges individually with a blanket stitch
Step 15: Toy Bag
- Take grey felt sheet with sizes: 30x40cm / 12"x14"
- Fold in half and sew the left and right sides together
- Decorate the top edges individually with the same stitch.
- Sew the velcro tape to the pouch
That way, you can keep your toy organized and handy to carry with you.
But let's look at other felt organizers: Felt pencil case with flowers , Felt zipper pouch

Runner Up in the
Games Contest
24 Comments
1 year ago
Look forward to making this as a Christmas goft for my nephew - thank you for charing your wonderful design, I always struggle with the scale for projects like this and give it - this is perfect.
Question 1 year ago
Where is the link to print the templates
Answer 1 year ago
Hi!
You can find the templates posted in Step1 ( 2,3,4 photo)
Good luck with your project 😉👌
2 years ago
Thank you so much! I am so excited to make it.
Reply 2 years ago
Good luck! And don’t forget to share your success with us ;)
Question 3 years ago
Hi I am new to instructables and I absolutely love this project for my toddler. Unfortunately I don't know how to print out the templates. I have tried a few different ways but they either come out huge our to small. Would you be able to give me an idea on how to do this? Thank you so much!
Answer 3 years ago
Hi friend,
I upload the image of template for A4 size paper.
So search in printing options or page setup - "A4 paper size".
If you from US, try "US Letter paper" that is almost the same.
One more option: You can adjust by hand (bigger/smaller) your image to print the size that you need.
Sorry for the delayed response!
Question 3 years ago on Step 15
I am in the same boat I can’t print the templates
Answer 3 years ago
Hi friend,
I upload the image of template for A4 size paper.
So search in printing options or page setup - "A4 paper size".
If you from US, try "US Letter paper" that is almost the same.
One more option: You can adjust by hand (bigger/smaller) your image to print the size that you need.
Tip 3 years ago
Hi there I am golden so you know how to make a Very Hungry Caterpillar I don't know how
3 years ago
This looks very appealing for children, but I confess I do not see what the game is. Perhaps it is in the book you mention?
Of course I can see that some older children could enjoy making the parts and I expect that tasks could be set such as thread him through one of each or all the same etc. I imagine that some fun could be had just threading the caterpillar but I would have liked you to have given a few examples of games or activities that use the components and have proven popular.
Reply 3 years ago
I made this game for my friend. Her kids are 2 and 5 years old. They are not familiar with Eric Carle's book and the story about the caterpillar. And I can tell you how I explained this game to her.
Choose different task and topics:
- Attention: you put a few items on the table, the kid has 30 seconds to memorize them. Cover with a towel and pick up one item. Now, the kid has to find which one is missing. This is my favorite family game! Add different small items that you find in your home and test yourself.
I didn't know that my imagination is that good, but there are far more creative applications, I'm sure)))3 years ago
I love this so much! Thank you. Well done!
3 years ago
Can't vote enough for that. I read this story so many times for my kids.
3 years ago
This looks good
3 years ago
I love this!! This is the cutest thing ever, thank you for sharing it, wish my kids were younger, but still just might make it for myself, hehehe!
3 years ago
The plum is missing on the stencil....
Reply 3 years ago
Thank you for remark, I updated the stencil ;)
Reply 3 years ago
Thanks :)
3 years ago
What, no cake? :( (Just kidding, keep up the great work!)