Springtime crafts are always full of bright colors, cute creatures, and lots of creative fun! If you’re looking for a playful and engaging craft activity for kids, this moving pipe cleaner caterpillar craft is a wonderful project to try. With its simple materials and fun moving feature, this little caterpillar is sure to bring smiles to young crafters.
This craft is perfect for kids’ craft time, classroom activities, or spring-themed DIY projects. The tutorial includes a free printable template to make the crafting process easier, and we’ve also included a full video tutorial for anyone who prefers watching the steps instead of reading them. The combination of paper and pipe cleaners makes the caterpillar colorful, flexible, and extra fun to play with once it’s finished.
The best part is that this craft is simple and beginner-friendly. It takes around 20–30 minutes to complete, and the materials are very affordable—usually costing under $2 if you already have basic craft supplies at home. So gather your papers, pipe cleaners, and glue, and let’s create a cute little caterpillar that can wiggle and move!
How to Make Moving Caterpillar from Pipecleaner
Things You’ll Need
Materials
- Pipecleaner
- Craft stick
- Colored cardstock paper
- Craft glue
- Googly eyes
- Markers
Tools
- Pencil
- A pair of scissors
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Step by Step Instructions for Moving Pipecleaner Caterpillar
Step 1: Prepare the Paper Patterns and Materials
Trace the leaf pattern and the square pattern on the same-colored craft paper and cut them out neatly. Gather 2 googly eyes, one long pipe cleaner, and a small 2-inch piece of pipe cleaner for the craft.
Step 2: Outline the Leaf
Use a matching marker or Sharpie to draw a neat outline around the edges of the leaf cutout to add a decorative touch.
Step 3: Make the Paper Cylinder
Take the small square piece of paper and roll it into a cylindrical tube. Apply glue along the edge to secure the cylinder.
Step 4: Start Coiling the Pipe Cleaner
Take a craft stick or another thin, round object and wrap the long pipe cleaner around it evenly.
Step 5: Coil the Entire Pipe Cleaner
Continue wrapping the pipe cleaner around the stick until the entire length is neatly and evenly coiled.
Step 6: Remove the Coil from the Stick
Carefully slide the coiled pipe cleaner off the stick while keeping the spiral shape intact.
Step 7: Create the Caterpillar Head
Take the small pipe cleaner piece and coil it tightly to form a flat, round shape. This will be the caterpillar’s head.
Step 8: Attach the Head to the Body
Attach the round pipe cleaner head to one open end of the coiled pipe cleaner body.
Step 9: Add the Googly Eyes
Glue the two googly eyes onto the round pipe cleaner head to give the caterpillar a cute face.
Step 10: Attach the Cylinder to the Leaf
Glue the paper cylinder vertically along the middle of the leaf, close to one edge. Allow the glue to hold the cylinder firmly in place.
Step 11: Insert the Craft Stick
Insert the craft stick through the paper cylinder so that it can slide in and out easily.
Step 12: Connect the Caterpillar Head to the Stick
Attach the bottom side of the caterpillar’s head to the inserted end of the craft stick using glue.
Step 13: Attach the Caterpillar Tail
Glue the other end of the pipe cleaner caterpillar body to the outer end of the paper cylinder.
Step 14: Make the Caterpillar Move
Your moving caterpillar is ready! Pull the craft stick outward to bend the caterpillar, and push it inward to straighten it, creating a fun moving effect.
Watch Complete Video Tutorial: Watch the Moving Pipecleaner Caterpillar in Action!
If you enjoy learning crafts by watching instead of reading, we’ve got you covered! This moving pipe cleaner caterpillar craft also comes with a full step-by-step video tutorial. In the video, you can see exactly how to coil the pipe cleaner, assemble the caterpillar, and create the fun moving mechanism using the craft stick. Watching the process makes it even easier for kids and beginners to follow along and recreate the craft at home or in the classroom.
If you like simple and creative crafts like this one, make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel! Turn on the notification bell so you never miss a new tutorial. We regularly share easy DIY crafts, fun paper projects, and creative activities perfect for kids and beginners. Happy crafting!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEyB5MMnfPQ
Beginner Tips for the Moving Pipe Cleaner Caterpillar Craft
If you’re trying this moving caterpillar craft for the first time, don’t worry—it’s a simple and fun project, especially for kids! The steps are easy to follow, and with a little patience while shaping the pipe cleaners and assembling the pieces, you’ll have an adorable moving caterpillar ready in no time. Here are a few helpful tips to make the crafting process smoother and more enjoyable.
• Use sturdy craft paper for the leaf. Slightly thicker craft paper works best because it holds the cylinder and moving parts more securely.
• Trace templates lightly with a pencil. This helps keep the edges clean and prevents dark pencil marks from showing on the finished craft.
• Coil the pipe cleaner slowly and evenly. Wrapping it gently around the stick will help create a neat spiral that bends smoothly when the caterpillar moves.
• Slide the coil off the stick carefully. Pull it off slowly so the spiral shape stays intact.
• Make sure the paper cylinder is not too tight. The craft stick should move in and out easily through the cylinder so the caterpillar can bend and straighten properly.
• Use a small amount of glue for the head and tail attachments. Too much glue may make the moving parts stiff.
• Let the glue dry before testing the movement. This helps the caterpillar stay securely attached while moving.
• Add extra decorations if you like. Kids can draw tiny smiles, add small paper spots, or decorate the leaf with markers for a more colorful look.
With these small tips in mind, your moving caterpillar craft will come together smoothly and bring lots of fun when the little caterpillar starts bending and straightening with a push and pull!
If you enjoyed making this fun moving pipe cleaner caterpillar, you might also love trying some of our other easy and playful crafts! From adorable paper animals to simple moving crafts and colorful decorations, we have plenty of beginner-friendly projects waiting for you. Browse through our collection of kids’ crafts to find more creative ideas that are perfect for home, school projects, or a fun afternoon of crafting.
Crafting little creatures is always so much fun, and this wiggly caterpillar is no exception! With just a few simple supplies and an easy template, you can create a playful craft that kids will love making and playing with. The best part is watching the caterpillar bend and straighten as you move the stick—such a tiny detail that brings the whole craft to life!
We hope you enjoyed making this moving pipe cleaner caterpillar with us. Don’t forget to explore more of our easy craft tutorials for kids, where you’ll find plenty of colorful, creative, and beginner-friendly projects. Happy crafting and see you in the next tutorial!
