Preschool Project of the Week: Caterpillar to Butterfly Metamorphosis
Supplies:
Egg Carton Caterpillar
White Cardstock
Paint & Brush
Hot Glue
Empty Pringles Can (the tall ones)
Brown construction paper OR brown spray paint
The key to this is the element of surprise if you’re doing it with preschoolers. The Pringles can will be the caterpillar’s “cocoon” so paint or cover it with paper before you start the project with your child. After you make the caterpillar let your child put him in his “cocoon”. You’re going to leave him in there for several days to a week. ;)
Now, to make the wings…secretly. ;)
Fold cardstock in half and open leaving a crease in the center. Have your child dab paint on one side of the paper. (Dip tip of brush in paint and dab on paper – this works best with those fat paintbrushes. You can also use a plastic spoon to scoop and “drip” the paint.) When they are finished, fold the paper over and rub the blank half on the painted half and open. This creates a symmetrical picture.
Now comes the rest of the “secret” part.
Leave this somewhere to dry where hopefully your little one will forget about it. Or make 2 or 3 paintings if you think they will be looking for their painting later. After it dries cut “wings” out of the paper. It’s best to fold the paper back over and trim the wings out so they’re symmetrical. Take the caterpillar out of the cocoon and apply glue (hot glue, rubber cement, something super strong…) around the bottom edges of the caterpillar.
You’ll need to set a heavy book or something on top of the caterpillar until it dries. Then when it’s dry roll it up and put it back in the “cocoon”.
See our little fella in there? Then, when you’re ready (preferably after reading The Very Hungry Catepillar by Eric Carle) let your child open up the cocoon and reveal that their caterpillar has turned into a butterfly! I love this part! tI makes all the work for all the different parts of this project so worth it when their little face lights up! :)
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