Back-to-school Craft and Snack in 5 Easy Steps

Now that the school year has started, it’s time to start thinking of ideas to keep the kiddos busy and fed when they get home !

We have a great after school craft that is not only relevant to your kids but will kick your own nostalgia into high year. Try this Very Hungry Caterpillar egg carton craft and Egg and Tuna Schooners.

What you need:

• Egg carton 
• Assortment of paints
• Paint brush
• Scissors
• Marker
• Googly eyes
• Pipe cleaner

Step 1: Cut!

Start by cutting your carton so that you have a row that is four cups long. You will have extra carton cups left over, but don’t throw them out - you can use the leftovers to make another caterpillar, or to hold your paint for the next step! From the upper part of the carton, cut out 'caterpillar food'. We cut out the fruits that the caterpillar ate in the storybook - plums, pears, apples, strawberries and oranges! 18 pack cartons work great for this part because they have long flat lids from which to cut shapes (but any egg carton will do)!

Step 2: Paint!

Paint the body of your caterpillar while using your extra carton cups as a paint holder. Start by painting the first cup red (this will be the head) and the other three cups green for the body. We used various shades of red and green to mimic the illustrations from the storybook. Paint your caterpillar foods accordingly as well!

Step 3: Poke and Glue!

Once you have the food and body of the caterpillar painted and dried, it’s time for some more detail! Carefully, using your scissors, poke two holes in the top of the red cup. Cut two 2-inch pieces of pipe cleaner to stick through the holes you've just poked. Threading the pipe cleaners from the bottom works best to create the antennae. You can either paint on the eyes or glue them on like we did - we chose huge googly eyes!

Step 4: Say Cheese!

Let's give your caterpillar some character! He'll need a big smile (or any facial expression you like). You can use your marker to draw on a grin.

Why not read The Very Hungry Caterpillar while your child acts out the story with his or her new craft? You can even make all the foods that the caterpillar ate in the story and have him 'eat them' as you read.

 

Step 5: Make your snack!

Pair the activity with a delicious snack to keep their tummies full. Full recipe here: https://www.getcracking.ca/recipes/egg-and-tuna-schooners