Hungry, Hungry Caterpillar

Sing and move along with this fun baby and toddler caterpillar motor experience!

Materials Needed

Difficulty Level: Easy-Medium

Time Needed: 10 minutes

Best done: Indoors

Main Movement: walking/crawling, moving arms

This hungry caterpillar game is a very simple way to combine music and movement!

Option 1: all ages - simply sing the song and follow the movements written with the lyrics. This is a super easy way to move our bodies to a beat without needing to set anything up!

Option 2: This option allows for bigger movements while still following the song.
- To begin, print off a number of leaf options

6 mo+/not yet crawling: 1

9 mo+/ crawling: 3

12 mo+/ walking: 5

Then: Sing the first part of the song (hungry, hungry caterpillar), while singing this:

6 months+: move the leaf around your child, encouraging them to

tap it

9 months +: set the three leaves close by but a bit away from you and encourage your child to crawl to them (grab if they are able)

12 months+: set the 5 leaves away from you, spread out and encourage your child to (walk/run/jump/crawl) to grab them as you sing.

Next: Sing the next portion of the song (big, big caterpillar)

6 months +: gently stretch your childs arms as you sing, then pretend to curl up in a cocoon

9 months+: stretch your arms with your child and show them how to curl up

12 months+: Have your child stretch their arms up to the sky (or jump if they can) and then lay down curled up.

Next portion: all ages pretend to sleep

Final portion: (butterfly)

6 months+: gently flap your child's arms - then point to them

9 months +: while seated, show your child how to "flap their wings," then point to themself

12 months +: walk around with your child as they "flap" their wings, then point to themself and (if able to) jump up.