Toddlers are just as hungry for learning and exploration as they are for food. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Jar of Counting is a fun activity that will help teach your toddler how to count, while also giving them the opportunity to explore their environment.
Your toddler can explore the jar by touching and feeling all of its contents, even if they end up in their mouth!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Jar of Counting is a great way to stimulate your child’s senses.
Learning how to count will help your toddler as he/she progresses through school years - for example when it comes time learn how to spell words or do math problems.
This activity makes an easy yet engaging craft that you’ll be able to get on with during nap times too.
With this project, you and your little one are sure have fun while learning new things together! So grab some supplies today and let’s start counting caterpillars:)
Items to Purchase:
One glass jar (quart sized)
White paper for the background of your caterpillar’s body
Colored, thick construction or toilet paper rolls for the legs and antennas of your i can count to potato!
the opportunity to explore their environment. *Your toddler can explore the jar by touching and feeling all of its contents, even if they end up in their mouth! *The Very Hungry Caterpillar Jar of Counting is a great way to stimulate your child’s senses. (*Learning how to count will help you as he/she progresses through school years - for example when it comes time learn how do spell words or in math)
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Jar of Counting: A Fun Activity for Toddlers
This is a fun activity to do with your toddler! Did you know that they can count up to potato? All you need are some supplies and one glass jar (quart sized): white paper for the background of their caterpillar’s body, toilet or construction paper rolls pasted on as legs and antennas. Have them explore the environment by touching and feeling all of its contents- even if it ends up in their mouth, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Jar of Counting is a great way to stimulate your child’s senses. Learning how to count will help him/her progress through school years- including when he/she has time to learn about math concepts like spelling words or in math.
Writing this blog post is a great way to educate others about the importance of teaching toddlers how to count. It can also help them learn their alphabet, colors and more! With these skills they’ll be able to keep up with other kids in school too. Plus, it’s fun for both parent and child- so what are you waiting for? Get started on today’s activity by making your own Very Hungry Caterpillar Jar of Counting!
This is not just an easy craft idea but a learning experience that will teach children counting basics while developing their sensory experiences at the same time. Children love exploring new textures like sandpaper or touching fuzzy caterpillars as well as those who don’t enjoy math have no problem playing games like this one.
Materials:
plastic jar with lid and a hole cut in the top (you may want to use a smaller container for toddlers)
sandpaper, paint brush, watercolor paints or finger painting supplies
fuzzy fabric covered craft sticks like pipe cleaners that are slightly longer than your child’s arm span (these can be found at most dollar stores!)
googly eyes (or big buttons if you’re not feeling adventurous) - any colors!
black construction paper wide enough to fit around the circumference of the jar plus tabs on either side as handles for little hands; scissors will also work fine but it might take some time cutting out circles so have patience! Tip: don’t use construction paper that is too thick or the googly eyes won’t fit on top
clear tape
a box of crackers for your hungry caterpillar to eat!
The Very Hungry Caterpillar Jar of Counting: A Fun Activity for Toddlers. I can count to potato! Join this little bug as he eats his way through an adorable counting jar while learning about numbers and colors, following along with each step in our instructions below. This activity will be sure to keep toddlers busy and entertained while they learn important skills like mastering their fine motor skills by scribbling sandpaper on wet paint to create texture, increasing visual acuity by adding new details such as googly eyes or buttons, practicing note reading when singing “twinkle twinkle little star” to know which hole the jar lid should go into, and much more!
Sandpaper (I used 100-grit)
Paint or Acrylics
Creative items such as: Buttons, Googly Eyes, Construction Paper cutouts in various shapes. I also added a piece of scrapbook paper with scribbles on it for some texture A box of crackers for your hungry caterpillar to eat! Helpful Hint Every toddler is different so you will need to adjust these instructions based on what they can do. For example, my son could not hold the pencil very well because he was only 19 months old at the time but that doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy this activity.
This is a really fun way to teach toddlers how to count! The goal of the game is for them to put their fingers on each number as they go around the jar, starting with one and ending with ten. I made it even more challenging by putting stickers in between some numbers so that my son could pick up his pencil again after picking up a sticker (and not just because he wanted another sticker). You’ll need:
i can count to potato A large mason jar or other container such as an empty water bottle Colored paper or construction paper labels cut into strips about two inches long x 0.75 inch wide Scissors Pencils OPTIONAL Stickers
Materials: A large mason jar or other container such as an empty water bottle, Colored paper or construction paper labels cut into strips about two inches long x 0.75 inch wide, Scissors, Pencils Optional Stickers
Step One: Cut the label pieces into numbers one through ten and then write down how many of each number you need to make it challenging for your toddler (e.g., nine). Put these in a bowl somewhere where they can’t be reached by your child yet but will be easy to grab when needed later. Arrange the stickers too if you’re using them.
Step Two: Place the hatched side of the strip that has been cut at a 45 degree angle over the jar opening. Press down firmly on the strip to attach it to the top of the container as well as tucking in any excess paper at either end, like a ribbon might be tucked into a birthday gift.
Step Three: Place numbers inside the jar by sliding them under one another so they reach from one side of the bowl where you can’t reach for your child later and then place stickers along with each number if you’re using them too.
Step Four: Have your toddler take out all of their counting pieces and start putting them back together again until he or she finishes! The last count should come up with how many pieces are left over which gives a great opportunity for practice asking questions such as “What’s that?” or “How many?”
Step Five: Once your toddler has finished with their counting, they can now start to use them again. I recommend beginning from the highest number and then going down each row as there is plenty of room for both numbers and stickers on each line. If you’re not using stickers, this step might be really fun while practicing spelling or reading words aloud! You could also try adding in another activity such as a math game like “I Spy” where they have to find objects that match an initial sound (i.e.: i spy something yellow).