"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" Tuff Tray Sensory Play
Who is Eric Carle? What is The Very Hungry Caterpillar?
Eric Carle, a beloved author and illustrator, has been enchanting children and adults alike for decades with his beautiful, vibrant books. Known for his unique collage-style illustrations and simple yet engaging stories, Carle’s works have touched the hearts of millions around the world. Born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, Eric Carle’s love for art and nature shines through in all his books, making them timeless classics. One of his most iconic creations is The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a book that has stood the test of time and is loved by preschoolers, teachers, and parents everywhere.
Why is The Very Hungry Caterpillar a Beloved Preschool Classic?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is not just a book, it's a journey of growth, curiosity, and transformation that every child can relate to."Since its publication in 1969, The Very Hungry Caterpillar has become a global phenomenon. The story is simple, yet it resonates with young children in a powerful way. The little caterpillar’s journey from a tiny egg, through days of eating various foods, to its transformation into a beautiful butterfly, mirrors the developmental changes children experience in their own lives. It’s a story of growth, curiosity, and change, and these universal themes are what make the book so beloved.
The colorful illustrations and the interactive design of the book—featuring die-cut holes that children can poke their fingers through—bring the story to life in a tactile way. Children can engage with the book physically while learning about counting, days of the week, healthy foods, and the life cycle of a butterfly.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is also a perfect book for early childhood education because:
- It builds early literacy skills through repetitive language and simple sentences.
- It introduces early math concepts , such as counting the foods the caterpillar eats each day.
- It connects children to nature , teaching them about the life cycle of butterflies.
- It encourages healthy eating habits by showing the difference between the healthy fruits the caterpillar eats and the less healthy foods later in the story.
- It’s visually stunning , which captivates children’s attention and keeps them engaged
Tuff Tray Activity 1: Sensory Flashcards
For this activity, I set up the Tuff Tray with green leaves to represent the caterpillar’s journey, placing the book The Very Hungry Caterpillar at the center. We made our own story flashcards featuring the foods the caterpillar eats—an orange, strawberry, apple, plum, and pear. These were drawn on wooden slices, which gave the flashcards a tactile, natural feel. As we read the book, the children used the flashcards to match the foods in the story.
This activity highlights the multi-sensory approach to learning, engaging children’s sight, touch, and hearing. Children learn best when they can interact with the story, and by holding and identifying the foods as the caterpillar eats them, they can expand their vocabulary and comprehension in a fun, engaging way.
Why this works:
- Helps build vocabulary by associating words with real objects.
- Encourages storytelling and participation as children match the flashcards to the foods.
- Promotes fine motor skills as children handle the wooden slices.
Tuff Tray Activity 2: Chalkboard Numbers with Water
Next, we turned the PLAYtray - Tuff Tray into a chalkboard! I wrote the numbers 1 to 5 across the tray, linking them to the foods the caterpillar eats each day. For example, “On Monday, the caterpillar ate one apple.” As I read the story, the children found the corresponding food flashcard, and then they used a small brush and water to “erase” the number 1.
This activity is a playful way to practice number recognition and early writing skills.
Why this works:
- Provides number practice in a fun and interactive way.
- Helps with early writing skills by having children trace and erase.
- Engages children in a multi-sensory experience , combining touch, sight, and sound.
Tuff Tray Activity 3: Very Hungry Caterpillar Hide-and-Seek
We set up the LARGE PLAYtray- Tuff Tray as a leafy hide-and-seek game. We collected a variety of leaves on a nature walk and scattered them across the tray. Hidden beneath the leaves were toy foods and animals from the story. The goal was for the children to “feed” the caterpillar by finding the hidden foods and bringing them to a toy caterpillar at the center of the tray.
Why this works:
- Promotes problem-solving as children search for and identify the hidden items.
- Encourages imaginative play as children feed the toy caterpillar.
- Builds vocabulary and comprehension by linking the items to the story.
Tuff Tray Activity 4: Nature Butterfly Craft
After reading about the caterpillar’s transformation into a butterfly, we took the children on a nature walk to collect loose flowers, leaves, and other natural materials. Using a cardboard butterfly stencil on the Tuff Tray, we encouraged the children to decorate their own butterflies with the items they found on the walk.
This activity connects the story to nature and allows children to express their creativity.
Why this works:
- Encourages creativity as children design their own butterflies.
- Develops fine motor skills through careful placement of the materials.
- Connects children to nature , reinforcing the story’s themes of growth and transformation.
"It’s about more than just reading—it’s about experiencing the story with all the senses."
Why Combine Storytime with Sensory Play?
Multi-Sensory Learning : Engaging multiple senses helps children retain information better. When they can see, touch, and play with elements from the story, they build deeper connections.
Hands-On Engagement : Sensory play turns passive reading into active learning. Children are more likely to stay focused and engaged when they can interact with the story in a tactile way.
Builds Key Skills : Whether it’s fine motor skills through tracing numbers, vocabulary building with flashcards, or creativity through nature crafts, storytime PLAYtrays help develop a range of essential early learning skills.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is not just a beloved story—it’s a wonderful tool for hands-on learning. By combining storytelling with sensory play, we can create magical, meaningful experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, and growth in our little learners.
So, grab a book, gather some natural materials, and let the magic of The Very Hungry Caterpillar inspire your next Tuff Tray adventure!
" Reading aloud to children, even from infancy, builds essential pre-literacy skills "
Read daily to your child/students
Incorporate sensory play with books
Use nature-inspired materials in the PLAYtray
We’d love to hear how you’ve brought The Very Hungry Caterpillar to life in your own Tuff Tray setups! Whether it’s creative crafts, hands-on sensory play, or unique ways to retell the story, your ideas can inspire others to make learning even more fun. Email Ms. K at info@playtraylearning.com and share your favorite activities.